The Physical & Mental Effects of Drug Abuse

While the physical health consequences of substance abuse are well-documented, the mental effects of drug abuse are equally devastating and often overlooked.

To understand the mental effects of drug abuse, it’s essential to grasp how drugs interact with the brain. When someone consumes drugs, they can alter the brain’s normal functioning, leading to various mental health problems. The effects can be immediate or develop over time, depending on the type and quantity of drugs used.

Drug use also co-occurs with mental illnesses like anxiety and depression very often. Sometimes drug abuse leads to these mental health disorders, but in some cases it is the other way around. [1]

This means that both conditions must be tackled at the same time in order to make treatment effective.

People who engage in long-term substance abuse due to their addiction may suffer from problems with their memory, learning, behavior, consciousness, and concentration. Some psychoactive substances even change a person’s brain function after chronic use. [2]

Here are some of the most notable mental health effects of substance abuse:

Changes in Brain Chemistry

Drugs have the ability to alter the delicate chemical balance within the brain. They achieve this by disrupting the normal processes of neurotransmitter release, reuptake, or reception. As a result, people may experience a wide range of effects, such as feelings of intense euphoria, deep relaxation, or a completely altered state of consciousness.

Naturally, these experiences can be highly rewarding from a psychological standpoint. However, it is crucial to note that these alterations in brain chemistry can have long-term consequences, potentially leading to various mental health issues over time.

One such mental health issue that may arise as a result of drug use is depression. It has been observed that the use of certain substances can deplete the brain’s natural reserve of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This means addicted individuals may find themselves plagued by feelings of sadness, a lack of interest or motivation, and persistent lethargy.

Similarly, anxiety can also be intensified by drug use. Certain drugs, particularly stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines, have the ability to increase levels of anxiety and even trigger panic attacks. Over time, chronic drug use can worsen these symptoms, potentially leading to the development of generalized anxiety disorders.

Cognitive Impairment

Chronic drug abuse can lead to significant cognitive impairment. As we mentioned previously, drug abuse can drastically impact various cognitive functions such as memory retention, attention span, and even decision-making abilities.

This impairing effect on cognition can prevent a person from carrying out their usual tasks and professional responsibilities. It substantially diminishes the person’s capacity to learn, concentrate, and make sound judgments.

Furthermore, these impairments can even get in the way of relationships as it can prevent effective communication.

Increased Risk of Suicidal Ideation

The mental effects of drug abuse can be so overwhelmingly detrimental to a person’s well-being that they have the potential to spiral into a devastating state of mind, where suicidal thoughts become a distressing reality.

It is important to acknowledge that substance abuse has the ability to amplify and magnify already existing emotions such as hopelessness, despair, and isolation, which are known to be significant risk factors that contribute to the development of suicidal ideation and potential attempts.

One of the most challenging aspects of the mental effects of drug abuse is the development of co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis. This occurs when individuals struggle with both substance abuse and mental health conditions simultaneously. The relationship between drug abuse and mental illness is often bidirectional, meaning one can exacerbate the other.

Substance abuse often co-occurs with depression. Those who are suffering from depression often resort to the use of drugs as a means of seeking momentary solace from their emotional pain and distress. This behavior, unfortunately, tends to worsen their depressive symptoms, exacerbating the severity and duration of their psychological struggles.

Drug addiction often co-occurs with anxiety, establishing a close and intricate relationship between the two conditions. It is not uncommon for those who experience anxiety to resort to substances as a means of self-medication, with the intention of mitigating their overwhelming anxiety symptoms.

Unfortunately, this coping mechanism can inadvertently exacerbate their anxiety over an extended period, leading to a concerning intensification of their anxiety-related symptoms.

Another common form of dual diagnosis is addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. People suffering from PTSD may use drugs to numb their emotional pain, but this can lead to addiction issues and vice-versa.

It is crucial to recognize the mental health consequences of drug abuse and seek help when needed. Treatment options, including therapy, support groups, and medication, are available to address both substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, with more and more individuals misusing or overusing prescription medications. People have this misconception that misusing or abusing their prescriptions is safe because it was given to them by their doctor. However, even these medications can be dangerous when misused.

Long-term abuse of prescription drugs can have severe consequences. Here are some of the most common effects:

Tolerance and Dependence

One of the most critical risks associated with prolonged abuse of prescription drugs lies in the potential development of tolerance and dependence.

Tolerance happens when the body gradually adjusts itself to the continuous presence of a drug, resulting in a diminished sensitivity towards its effects. Consequently, to attain the desired outcome that was initially achieved with lower doses, increasingly higher amounts of the drug become necessary, exposing the person to heightened health risks and potential complications. They even put themselves at risk of an overdose.

On the other hand, dependence manifests as a state in which the body’s normal functioning relies heavily on the continuous consumption of the drug. Hence, abrupt discontinuation or even a reduction in dosage can evoke a range of distressing withdrawal symptoms, further exacerbating the individual’s physical condition and potentially leading to additional health hazards.

Overdose

Speaking of overdose, the most critical and potentially life-threatening consequences resulting from the prolonged abuse of prescription drugs is the alarming and heightened susceptibility to overdose.

This becomes much more likely to occur when a person expose themselves to substances for extended periods. Moreover, those who engage in the hazardous practice of combining prescription drugs with other substances, such as alcohol, unknowingly heighten the possibility of experiencing an overdose, which in some cases can be fatal.

Overall, drug abuse can have a range of negative consequences, both physically and mentally. It can lead to organ damage, weakened immune system, malnutrition, and weight loss. It can also cause mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and addiction. Long-term prescription drug abuse can have even more severe consequences, including tolerance and dependence, organ damage, mental health issues, and overdose. Seeking help for drug abuse is crucial for improving overall health and well-being. Remember, it is never too late to seek help and start on the path to recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible. Treatment options for drug abuse include therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups. It is also crucial to address any underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to drug abuse.

Look for a rehab facility near you today and get started on the road to recovery.

Treatment is an addicted individualʼs best option if they want to recover. Beating an addiction not only requires eliminating the physical dependence, but also addressing the behavioral factors that prevent them from wanting to get better. Simply quitting may not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Some people quit for a while, and then take drugs or alcohol again, only to overdose because they did not detox properly. Recovery involves changing the way the patient feels, thinks, and behaves.

Sources:

[1]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health

[2]: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/effects-of-drug-abuse#Physical-effects-of-drug-misuse