Addiction to cocaine, marijuana, heroin, stimulants and other drugs causes serious side effects and can be devastating. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were more than 1 million drug-related emergency room visits in 2006. Thirty-one percent of these visits were due to illicit drug use. There are many side effects related to drug addiction.
Drug Addiction
People begin to use drugs for various reasons. Often people use drugs to cover up painful feelings. Drug users seek to cope with difficult emotions or life circumstances. Some drugs provide euphoria such as marijuana and relieve symptoms of emotional pain. Other drugs disinhibit normal behavior and can make a quiet person boisterous and aggressive. Symptoms of addiction are the same for all drugs, according to Helpguide.org.
People addicted to drugs start to neglect their responsibilities. They fail to show up for work or school. Acquiring more drugs is foremost on their minds. Abusers no longer participate in activities that they use to enjoy. Their brains are craving whatever drug they are abusing and their addiction requires more and more drug.
Addiction Effects on the Brain
Addiction starts in the brain. According to Helpguide.org, repeated drug use alters the brains chemistry and structure. These changes lead to cravings and compulsion. Drug addiction can exacerbate mental health disorders according to NIDA. Marijuana affects short-term memory, learning and coordination. Cocaine acts as a short acting stimulant on the brain and can cause "binging" or taking multiple hits of the drug in one setting. Inhalants destroy brain cells and can lead to instant death. Addiction causes mood swings, behavior changes and personality changes. Abusers can be lethargic, irritable, agitated, confused, paranoid and giddy for no reason.
Addiction Effects on the Body
NIDA states that drug abusers are responsible for more than one-third of new HIV infections and are the major contributors to the hepatitis C epidemic. Hepatitis C is a chronic liver infection that leads to eventual liver failure. There is no vaccine to prevent it as there is for hepatitis B and there is no cure. Drug addiction impairs judgment and drug users frequently have high risk sexual behavior. According to NIDA, four out of 10 AIDS deaths are drug-related. Helpguide.org cites common physical symptoms of addiction as bloodshot eyes, changes in appetite, deterioration of hygiene, tremors, slurred speech and impaired coordination.
