EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION
Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different effects. Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and permanent. They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance.
There are a few ways a person can take drugs, including injection, inhalation and ingestion. The effects of the drug on the body can depend on how the drug is delivered. For example, the injection of drugs directly into the bloodstream has an immediate impact, while ingestion has a delayed effect. But all misused drugs affect the brain.
They cause large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions, motivation and feelings of pleasure, to flood the brain and produce a “high.” Eventually, drugs can change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a substance dependency, or drug addiction.
Today, more than 7 million people suffer from an illicit drug disorder, and one in four deaths results from illicit drug use. In fact, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities are associated with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition.
People suffering from drug and alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence incidents.
Table of Contents
Dangers Of Drug Abuse
Affects your brain
The brain is wired to make you want to repeat experiences that make you feel good. The drugs that your brain is addicted to trigger your brains reward system, this means it makes you feel pleasure and that is why people who abuse drugs keep going back for more.
When people use drugs for a long time it can hurt your judgment, decision making, memory and the ability to learn.
Legal problems
The legal consequences of drug abuse will lead to difficulty getting a job. Employees will always do background checks and even if you do have a job this drug use can deeply affect job performance.
A lot of people who abuse drugs have trouble financially. You could find yourself spending money on over the counter drugs rather than paying your rent, a situation like this can spiral and leave a person in substantial financial debt.
Behaviours
A person’s habits and behaviours tend to change significantly due to drug abuse. Some drugs can impair the brains ability to think clearly. A few of the main behavioural changes are increased aggression or irritability.
A person can start to get impatient with others or frustrated within conversation. Personality changes may lead to depression which is a severe symptom and needs to be seen to. There are excellent supports for behaviour changes due to drug abuse out there.
Relationships
When someone loves or cares for a person who abuses drugs, their love can sometimes cloud their judgement. It’s not uncommon for loved ones to try to “help” the person, but in ways that end up enabling the person to continue.
Typical enabling behaviours include taking over responsibilities and feelings of the loved one, working to minimize negative consequences for the person struggling, taking on the blame, and making excuses for poor behaviour.
Does this mean you have to let the person go? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. You may be able to motivate someone who is abusing drugs to receive help, and you can go through this process together in some ways, but not every person struggling will accept help and go through treatment. Also, if you’re in a relationship with a drug abuser who’s physically harmful to you, you may have no other choice than to leave.
Treatment
For addicts who do agree to treatment, relationships may be salvageable. Getting help with a drug abuse is nothing to be ashamed of. As with any chronic disease, medical interference is necessary for the individual to get back to a healthy lifestyle.
The range of treatment options available today are designed to rehabilitate any level of drug abuse. When it’s time to talk to a loved one about getting help, treatment professionals stress the importance of a non-confrontational environment and one where the individual is also sober.
Showing concern for a loved one, avoiding judgment and talking are the best ways to approach a conversation about getting help.
Tabor Group
What Tabor Group offers is what every drug abuser patient need hope. All aspects of our treatment programs are designed to culminate in patients developing support groups and the coping skills they will need to prevent relapses long into the future. It’s time to stop letting your addiction control your life. The first step is to admit you’re helpless because of your addiction.
For any important information please contact us ScoopifyOwl@Gmail.com
