High consumption of drugs and/or alcohol can be hard on a person's body. The human body is constantly trying to filter out harmful and toxic chemicals, but when drugs and alcohol are abused the body is unable to remove the toxics at a fast enough rate to keep the health consequences at bay. The MayoClinic.com notes that both long-term and short-term health problems can result from different types of substance abuse.
Cirrhosis
According to FamilyDoctor.org, cirrhosis of the liver generally occurs when a person consumes chemicals that are harmful to the body. These chemicals cause the cells in the liver to become damaged beyond the point of repair, resulting in their death and the formation of scar tissue. It is the remaining scar tissue that keeps the liver from being able to filter out harmful things from the body, thereby causing chemicals to build up and reach toxic levels, notes FamilyDoctor.org.
Heart Problems
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, reports that the abuse of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamine, nicotine, PCP and steroids, have demonstrated their ability to negatively affect a person's heart. NIDA states that abusing drugs can lead to cardiovascular problems as serious as heart attacks.
Pregnancy
If drugs or alcohol are abused during pregnancy the risk of the child having a birth defect increases, notes the MayoClinic.com. Drug and/or alcohol use during pregnancy can result in a number of different problems. Children may have developmental delays, emotional problems, learning disorders and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Anxiety Disorders
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, nearly 20 percent of people who suffer from a substance abuse problem also have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are severe and debilitating illnesses that can significantly disrupt a person's life. Substance abuse can increase a person's feelings of anxiety or perpetuate the anxiety disorder as she comes down from her high.
Overdose
Consuming drugs and/or alcohol at high rates can result in an overdose. Overdoses must be treated by a medical professional or they can result in death. An overdose can occur when a person consumes a substance in higher rates than his body is used to, when he mixes the substance with other substances or when the substance is consumed in an unfamiliar location.
Suicide
Substance abuse can increase the risk of suicide in a person, notes the MayoClinic.com. The substance use can induce feelings of helplessness and worthless in a person that may result in her taking her own life. Also, a person intoxicated on drugs may have delusions that persuade her to end her life.
