Medical Consequences of Substance Abuse
The United States government, on their website for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drugabuse.gov, defines substance abuse and drug addiction as a disease of the brain. Admittedly, initial drug use may be voluntary, however, this agency states that the most commonly abused drugs change a person’s chemistry. The addiction happens because brain circuitry and gene expression are changed. The person changes their internal operations, which makes withdrawal difficult, and a need for the drug imminent. People need the drug to maintain the changes caused by the drug.
The medical consequences of drug addiction and substance abuse are far reaching in both time and body systems. No body system is missed in the effects of drugs, and a person will feel the effects of the drug for a long time, even after detoxification. Sadly, some drugs can cause issues such as heart attacks after only one use, so that initial choice to use a drug could harm or kill an individual.
Following is a list of systems affected and possible diseases, but the list is not all-inclusive. Visit drugabuse.gov for more information and for specific information on how each system is affected.
- HIV and Hepatitis
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Gastrointestinal
- Musculoskeletal
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Neurological
- Mental Illnesses
- Hormones
- Cancer
- Prenatal Issues
- Death
If you’d like to talk more about drugabuse.gov or any issues associated with substance abuse, call Vancouver Home Health Care Agency today.
At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.