Substance abuse is the misuse of alcohol and other mind-altering drugs. Many factors influence a person's risk for becoming a substance abuser, including genetics, environmental factors and the person's developmental stage when drugs are first introduced. In many cases, substance abuse leads to full-blown addiction. It is possible to prevent alcohol and substance abuse by spreading awareness of the health, legal and financial consequences each carries.
Signs
Signs of alcohol and substance abuse are different for every person. Those who abuse alcohol and other depressants often become depressed, withdrawn and moody, while stimulant abusers exhibit opposite signs, like increased energy, paranoia and weight loss. Drastic changes in mood or behavior are common with most substances, as are sudden changes in eating or sleeping habits, hobbies, and productivity.
Causes
While the exact cause of substance abuse isn't known, most cases are thought to stem from a combination of factors. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, genetic factors account for roughly 50 percent of a person's substance abuse risk, while environmental and developmental factors account for the rest. Environmental factors involve interplay between mental health problems, peer pressure, exposure to drugs of abuse and past trauma. A person's developmental level also plays a role, with younger first-time users having a higher risk for abuse and addiction.
Physical Effects
Alcohol and substance abuse can cause serious physical health effects. Damage to the liver, lungs and other organs is common among alcohol and drug abusers. Those who use a dangerous method of administration like intravenous injection or smoking run the risk of developing blood and lung infections that can sometimes be fatal. Poor personal hygiene is a problem for some substance abusers, who may also be at an increased risk for self-injury due to poor judgment and decision-making skills.
Psychological Effects
Alcohol and drug abuse may result in disastrous psychological effects. Depending on the effects of the drug in question, a person may experience increased anxiety, paranoia, depression or psychosis due to substance abuse. Self-esteem may be affected due to relationship, legal or financial troubles, with an overall decline in quality of life occurring as a result.
Complications
Abusers of both alcohol and drugs may experience complications such as overdose, addiction, dangerous withdrawal symptoms and chronic health problems.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, some 80 percent of alcoholics have a thiamine deficiency and are at risk for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is a debilitating brain disorder. Up to 90 percent of those afflicted go on to develop Korsakoff's psychosis, which is characterized by severe memory and learning deficits and lasting motor impairment.
