Drug abuse is one of the most concerning conditions on the rise in the US with over 10% of individuals claiming to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. The reason for this growth can be attributed to many sources such as normalization through media, lack of proper care for those battling trauma, societal standards and even long-running cycles of genetic predisposition to drug use.

Even a single use of a drug can be enough for an addiction to start forming and negative consequences to start appearing. Today we’re going to breakdown the different types of consequences and their impacts on not only the user, but those around them.

 

Immediate Consequences

Abusing any drug can lead to addiction and physical or psychological dependency meaning the mind and body stop functioning properly due to the prolonged presence of illicit substances. Stimulants such as amphetamines have near-instant side effects that include hot flashes, increased heart rate, inability to concentrate and, in more severe cases, mental breakdowns and overdose leading to death.

These internal consequences can lead to situations that impact others as well. Critical thinking and decision making both begin to suffer under the influence of drugs. Driving or operating machinery while under the influence can cause accidents involving multiple other parties while the behavioral impacts can cause one to lash out at friends and family leading to self-isolation.

Long-Term Consequences

When it comes to long-term impacts of drug abuse, the whole picture has to be viewed. The more common drug abuse and addiction becomes, the more resources are needed to provide them with proper care and a safe environment for recovery which drives up healthcare costs. Even cases of drug abuse in children and young adults are on the rise. Unexpected pregnancies and diseases being spread through sharing of drug paraphernalia also contribute to this issue.

Pivoting back to the individual will show long-term consequences to both mental and physical health. Interpersonal consequences can also fall under the long-term category since both immediate outbursts and drawn out periods of isolation have substantial impacts on interpersonal relationships. It’s often seen that individuals abusing drugs will isolate themselves and prefer to spend time with groups that also abuse the drug in question. Straining these relationships with friends and family removes support systems that are crucial for a recovering individual.

Physical health impacts can be as straightforward as respiratory problems such as a persistent cough or frequent cases of bronchitis. Other connections can be rather unexpected such as permanent damage to someone’s brain as the result of overdose or heart attack during a period of sobriety due to withdrawal symptoms.

Stopping Drug Abuse In Its Tracks

Whether you yourself are experiencing the struggle of drug abuse or someone you care about is battling addiction, we encourage you to reach out to our team of professional recovery specialists for a free and confidential consultation. We strive to make the process as seamless as possible, from intake to aftercare, so please don’t hesitate to start down the road to recovery with America’s Rehab Campuses.