Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to emotional, psychological and physical damage to the abuser. Drug abuse can take many forms, from alcoholism to over-consumption of prescription drugs, to use of illegal drugs. Although each drug has its own set of harmful side effects on the body, alcohol and drug abuse in general has a few characteristic effects. If you are concerned about drug use by yourself, a family member or a friend, talk to a counselor or call a drug help line.
Addiction
Addiction is a disease that involves the re-wiring of neural pathways within the brain, which lead to intense cravings and destroy an addict's quality of life. Numerous regions within the brain have been identified as crucial to the development of addiction and are shown to be modified in the brains of drugs addicts, alcoholics and the obese.
According to Dr. Pinsky, an addiction specialist, the brain in an addict is modified so that the act of taking a drug or drinking stimulates a survival response within the brain, so that if the addict is denied his drug of choice, the brain is tricked into thinking it is dying. This leads to profound behavioral changes for the addict, as he will do anything to get his drug, neglecting other parts of his life.
There a genetic component to addiction, though the genes involved in development of addiction have not been fully discovered. The treatment for addiction is rehabilitation, which can take months or years.
Liver Disease
Drugs and alcohol can have an adverse effect on the liver, especially when consumed regularly or in large quantities. The liver functions to detoxify the body and is responsible for the metabolism of chemicals within the body. When drugs and alcohol are over-consumed, the liver has to work harder to break down the drugs, which can lead to liver problems as the liver is overwhelmed.
The University of Southern California estimates that over 800 drugs can cause liver disease, so abuse of prescription drugs can damage the liver. Drug users who share needles or use non-sterile needles are also at risk for contracting viral hepatitis, which also damages the liver. Alcohol metabolism in the liver also gives off toxic bi-products, which cause liver disease over time.
Neurological Damage
The regular use of some illegal drugs can lead to brain damage, since some drugs have an effect on blood pressure and heart rate, which affect the brain. Amphetamine-based drugs, such as ecstasy and methamphetamine, hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, opiates such as cocaine and heroin, some prescription medications and alcohol can all induce neurological damage if abused.
In a 2000 report published in the "European Journal of Neurology," Dr. Neiman notes that people who abuse these drugs may suffer from seizure, which occurs when the drug interferes with normal signaling within the brain, leading to over-stimulation and seizure. Additionally, Dr. Neiman found that many drug users have a high risk of stroke, and found that drug abuse had a number of other damaging effects in the brain and in the nervous system throughout the body, some of which are fatal.
References
- Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again; Dr. Drew Pinsky; 2004
- The University of Southern California: Drug-Induced Liver Disease
- Your Liver: Frequently Asked Questions
- European Journal of Neurology: Neurological complications of drug abuse: pathophysiological mechanisms
