What Are the Medical Consequences of Drug Use?

Extended alcohol or drug abuse has significant medical consequences. The long term effects of

substance abuse include serious problems with friends and family, health, the law, and work or

school. Some of the most commonly abused controlled substances include alcohol,

hallucinogens, marijuana, other drugs, opiates and stimulants. These drugs may induce

symptoms as far-reaching as short term memory loss and death. If you or someone you know has

a problem with drugs or alcohol, there are many affordable treatment centers available to help.

Alcohol

Alcoholism is one of the leading causes of death. It relates to the deaths of over 200,000 people

in the U.S. each year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.¹ Heavy use of alcohol for an

extended period of time affects every part of the body, and can be linked to cirrhosis, fatty liver,

gastritis, and hepatitis, as well as increased risk for death, heart disease, and stroke.

Hallucinogens

The most common kinds of hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin

mushrooms, and peyote. Only small amounts of these substances are needed to cause powerful

hallucinations in the user.² This may lead to a “bad trip” that could involve anxiety, depression,

and paranoia. Years later these effects could return in the form of a flashback.

Marijuana

Marijuana or cannabis is one of the most frequently used drugs in the U.S. The active ingredient

in cannabis, THC, has been approved to treat certain health problems by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA). However, chronic use of marijuana may cause anxiety, decreased

coordination, lack of interest, insomnia, irritability, and a weakening of the immune system.

Opiates

Opiates are a class of drugs, like codeine, heroin, methadone, opium, and oxycodone, which

lessen pain, sedate the user, and cause an intense feeling of euphoria. In high doses they may

induce a coma, respiratory depression, and death. Opiate addicts are at a high risk of becoming

infected with contagious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV.

Other Drugs

Other prevailing types of drugs include club drugs such as methylenedioxyphenethylamine

(MDMA), often called ecstasy or molly. MDMA increases the heart rate, and in overdoses the

body loses the ability to regulate its temperature, causing death.³ Other frequently abused types

of drugs are ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and even Rohypnol, the date rape drug.

Stimulants

Stimulants work by stimulating the central nervous, which causes an inability to sleep, decreased

appetite, and an increased heart rate. Types of “uppers” such as amphetamines, cocaine, and

methamphetamine all have this effect. Abuse of stimulants leads to destruction of the nasal

membrane, depression, heart problems, schizophrenia, skin ulcers, and more.

The long term abuse of drugs and alcohol can have devastating effects on users and their loved

ones. Many people suffer the consequences of a substance abuse problem because they do not

know they have access to low cost drug rehab centers. Help drug and alcohol addicts to avoid

health problems such as these at affordable drug treatment centers.

Company Bio:

Yellowstone Recovery has been one of the most affordable Orange County rehab centers for

over 17 years. Their facility in Costa Mesa offers a comprehensive range of recovery services,

from detoxification to inpatient treatment and sober living. To come home to recovery in

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Sources:

1. http://www.csuchico.edu/cadec/drugFree/consequences.shtml

2. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm

3. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasy-or-molly