Alcohol and drug abuse refers to the misuse of alcohol and prescription or illicit drugs. Substance abuse shares many characteristics with addiction and often leads to long-term addiction and other health problems. Learning to recognize the signs of alcohol and drug abuse can help prevent either one from progressing to full-blown addiction.
Causes
To date, no single cause has been identified for alcohol and drug abuse. According to MedlinePlus, a combination of genetic factors, emotional trauma and underlying mental health disorders often plays a role. Other potential factors include peer pressure and the effects of the substance itself. Environmental influences, such as working at a bar or club, may enable or even encourage alcohol or drug abuse in some instances.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many potential signs of alcohol and drug abuse. Changes in mood, such as increased anxiety or depression, may occur and often lead to uncharacteristic behaviors like violent outbursts or impulsive behaviors. Sleeping, eating and personal hygiene habits may change dramatically, as can a person's interests and hobbies. School or work performance sometimes suffers due to an increasing focus on alcohol or drug use. In some cases, risk-taking behaviors like drunk driving or other illegal activities may become more prominent, leading to legal trouble or personal injury.
Health Effects
The health effects of alcohol and drug abuse can be severe and are classified as either immediate or long term. Immediate effects of alcohol abuse include mood swings, self-injury, irritability and alcohol poisoning, though the long-term effects are even more alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term consequences of alcohol abuse may include dementia, liver damage, hypertension and increased risk for several types of cancer.
The health effects of drug abuse depend greatly on the substance itself. Stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine may cause cardiovascular damage that leads to heart attack or stroke, while depressants and opiates can cause physical addiction, overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. The route of administration can carry its own health risks. Injecting drugs can lead to contraction of diseases like hepatitis C and HIV when needles are shared, while smoking drugs damages the lungs and respiratory tract.
Complications
Complications of alcohol and drug abuse can be dangerous or even deadly. The most prominent danger is progression to full-blown addiction, which carries a host of health, legal and financial problems.
Acute overdose is a possibility when binging on drugs or alcohol and when using two or more similar substances together, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines. Impulsive or aggressive behaviors precipitated by alcohol and drug abuse may bring legal troubles, such as incarceration or other losses of freedom.
Warning
Alcohol and drug abuse is a serious problem that can have life-threatening consequences. If you or someone you know may have a substance abuse problem, seek professional help promptly to prevent complications.
