Drug abuse and addiction are a major burden to society from a financial, emotional and health perspective, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. While no single factor can predict whether or not a person will become addicted to drugs, there are several compelling reasons that may help motivate you to not use or abuse them.
Drugs Ruin Your Brain
Drug abuse affects the brain in many ways, both in the short and long term. Generally speaking, drugs can cause people to act in strange or unpredictable ways, according to the UK's Justsaynotodrugs.com website. For example, long-term marijuana use can cause psychotic symptoms, and the drug Ecstasy can lead in the short-term to confusion, paranoia, depression and impaired judgement, with the potential for permanent brain damage with prolonged use.
Drugs Ruin Your Health
Although smoking, injecting or swallowing drugs can initially feel great, there is no end to the physical harm posed to your body and general health. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, taking illegal drugs, and even sniffing glue can all cause serious damage to the human body. The use of drugs and needles can put you at great risk for contracting deadly diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV. The justsaynotodrugs.com points to evidence that drug abuse can lead to male impotence, and lead to health problems in children born to drug addicted mothers. To cite just a few examples of drug abuse and health hazards, marijuana can damage the lungs and the heart, and weaken your body's ability to fight illness. Crystal methamphetamine can lead to stroke, heart attacks and death in addition to causing liver, kidney and lung damage.
Financial Ruin
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that drug abuse costs the U.S. half a trillion dollars each year in health and crime-related expenses. On a personal level, since drug use can interfere with your thinking processes and judgement, it stands to reason that it can impact your functioning and work which can ultimately cost you your salary. In addition, Justsaynotodrugs.com points to the fact that some drugs are very expensive, and can cost several hundred dollars daily depending on the drug and the level of abuse or addiction.
