Using drugs and alcohol can have several negative effects on a person’s life because you can easily become tolerant and this leads to misuse. The top risk of using both illicit and prescription drugs is addiction. Drugs damage the brain over time, and with continued use, a person can’t function normally without them. When a person first uses drugs, their brain releases a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is our ” feel good” neurotransmitter; it is responsible for pleasure and happiness. Unfortunately, after the continued drug use, the body wants more and more. This eventually leads to addiction. Addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite the negative consequences it is causing. 
Drug Misuse and Mental Health
Drug use can also negatively impact our mental health. In some cases, mental health issues will cause a person to start using drugs. With continued drug use, their mental health worsens, and some can even develop new problems. In addition, drug use can cause new mental health disorders like anxiety and depression for other people.
Death and Injury From Addiction
Finally, drug use can lead to death and injury. Driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery while under the influence can cause terrible car accidents that can even be fatal. Alcohol causes 5.2 million accidental injuries each year. Death is the most damaging consequence of drug use. Drug-related deaths have nearly doubled since the early 1980s. Each year there are 1.8 million deaths associated with alcohol use, and drugs and alcohol cause 1 out of every four deaths. Death from drug overdose has increased 10.37% over the past three years. Currently, 22 out of every 100,000 people lose their life from an OD. And from 1999 to 2019, there have been over 770,000 deaths from a drug overdose in the United States.
Legal Issues With Substance Abuse
Drug and alcohol use not only affects our physical health but can also have a negative impact on other areas of our lives. Legal consequences from drug use can destroy one’s life. Being caught with drugs or driving under the influence can lead to jail sentences, heavy fines, and even a record affecting your employment.
Financial Problems Associated With Drug Use
Using drugs and alcohol is an expensive habit, especially for an addict. Many will drain their bank accounts, max out credit cards, and take loans out to buy drugs. Drug use can also result in losing a job which puts further financial strain on a person. If legal consequences arise, that could cost more money from hiring an attorney or paying heavy fines. Car and health insurance rates can increase as well.
Health Complications From Drug Addiction
Drugs and alcohol can impact nearly every organ system in your body from the heart to the digestive system and bowels. Substance abuse can lead to heart attacks, abnormal heart rates, immune system issues, kidney and liver failure, and muscle weakness and cramping. The National Institute on Drug Abuse “Addiction and Health” says:
People with addiction often have one or more associated health issues, which could include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or mental health conditions. Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests can show the damaging effects of long-term drug use throughout the body. For example, it is now well-known that tobacco smoke can cause many cancers, methamphetamine can cause severe dental problems, known as meth mouth, and opioids can lead to overdose and death. In addition, some drugs, such as inhalants, may damage or destroy nerve cells, either in the brain or the peripheral nervous system (the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord). Drug use can also increase the risk of contracting infections. HIV and hepatitis C (a serious liver disease) can occur from sharing injection equipment or from unsafe practices such as condom-less sex. Infection of the heart and its valves (endocarditis) and skin infection (cellulitis) can occur after exposure to bacteria by injection drug use. (NIDA)
Drug use amongst teens can even cause the bones to stop growing properly.
Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Evoke Wellness Coconut Creek is a premier treatment facility committed to providing the best care for anyone battling drug and alcohol addiction. Our top priority is your safety and comfort, and life in sobriety is our primary mission. Our team of professionals is some of the most experienced, compassionate, non-judgmental, and understanding people in the addiction field. We will help you start healing and moving forward on your path to long-term recovery. Give us a call today.
