Physical dangers associated with substance abuse are often the most direct and obvious and, as a result, have been most extensively documented. They may occur in a variety of ways, ranging from chronic, long-term disorders resulting from extended use to acute maladies stemming from excessive intake of a substance at any one time. Cannabis is often thought to be a relatively harmless drug, especially when compared to the potential of death by overdose or during the use of drugs such as heroin or alcohol. However, even this drug has been associated with health problems, including lung cancer, respiratory tract infections, increased heart rate, and mental health problems. Tobacco is responsible for the single most significant cause of preventable death in the world today, in the form of lung cancer, and also kills through heart disease and strokes. Alcohol abuse may lead to chronic liver disease, damage to the pancreas, stomach problems, and an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. Psychostimulants such as amphetamines, in particular, have a vast array of potential adverse effects on the user’s physical health, including malnutrition, weight loss, risk of infectious diseases, dental issues, and increased risk of Parkinson’s disease later in life. Any drug abuse can lead to the users engaging in risky behaviors, which may lead to injury to both self and others. Overdose is also an ever-present risk with any drug, with some having more potential to be fatal than others.
Short-Term Effects
When a person is under the influence of a substance, there is an increased chance that they will harm themselves, whether it be intentional or unintentional. This is due to impaired judgment, as any harmful activity is perceived as less risky, and detrimental consequences are not considered. An example is drug driving; a person under the influence of a substance is far more likely to cause a collision due to impaired reaction times and reduced perception of their speed and distance from other cars. This can result in injury or death to themselves or others and has legal repercussions. Finally, there may be a confrontation with authorities when a person’s behavior while under the influence conflicts with social norms and the law.
When a person abuses a substance, there is usually a change in their behavior, and their judgment becomes impaired. These changes, in effect, are short-term effects and typically wear off once the person stops being under the influence of the substance. This can vary from a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of substance. Different substances affect people’s behavior in various ways. For example, alcohol can cause an exaggerated version of a person’s normal behavior. A person who is usually happy and relaxed may become loud and aggressive, while a person who is ordinarily anxious and reserved will become even more so. This can often lead to people making false assumptions about that person’s personality. This could have profound implications for that person, affecting their personal and employment relationships.
Substance abuse is an activity that a person uses to enhance or alter their mood. This is done through the use of substances, which has profound short- and long-term effects on the health and well-being of that person. When a person abuses a substance, the effects can be seen in their behavior and through people’s perceptions. Effects are changes that occur due to an activity or an event. Healthcare is an example of an activity, and the effect of adequate healthcare is the patient’s improved health. The effects of substance abuse can range from mild to profound, depending on the amount of substance used, how often it is used, and the nature of the substance. In healthcare, it is essential to make a distinction between substance use (non-problematic use of a mood-altering substance) and substance abuse. Use is likely to have no effect or a positive effect on a person’s health, while abuse will most certainly have a detrimental effect.
Long-Term Effects
When individuals continue to use drugs, their lives often change in ways they did not expect. Long-term drug abuse causes changes in the brain and a strong compulsion to use the drug. In addition to the compulsion to use drugs, there is also a powerful desire to “just feel normal.” This is felt through the drug user’s intense mood swings, which can be accompanied by manic behavior (bouts of energy) or depression. There is also a wide range of effects on behavior. A long-term drug abuser is often so wrapped up in their drug use that they begin to associate with friends who also use drugs. This is particularly true of marijuana and alcohol. In an attempt to feel accepted or deal with feelings of being different, an individual will frequently begin to associate with people who share similar feelings, attitudes, and drug use behavior. This can have a grave effect on the user’s personality and behavior, often resulting in the user acting as if they are using the specific drug of choice, even when they are not high. This type of behavior is called “psychological residue.” It is the result of the user’s substance abuse lifestyle and the alterations the drug has caused in their mood and overall behavior. These changes can also lead to what is known as a “drug set,” which is the expectation of a particular behavior based on predetermined psychological expectations elicited by drug use. The combination of “drug set” and “psychological residue” significantly increases the likelihood of relapse. The hardest part of being an ex-drug user is a tie between dealing with the remnants of one’s past drug use and the constant cravings for the drug. This is a dangerous time for the recovering addict because, as expressed in Jellinek’s progression theory, the final phase of addiction is a very dismal fate. Known as the “bottom” alcoholic/addict, the user has experienced the actual harmful effects of their addiction and is only using the drug as a failed attempt to “feel better.” In the end, they finally succumb to the impact of their addiction and stop trying to abstain. It is only at this point, and without heavy reservation, that a user honestly admits to being addicted. Finally, without interference, a person with an addiction will continue to use until the last days of their life, with each year bringing them closer to the final and fatal outcome of the disease. At this point, there is nothing more addiction, only an attempt to isolate and make peace with one’s tragic destiny.
Effects on Physical Health