Over time, the brain will produce less dopamine and the person will use in higher doses in order to get the stimulation they need. This is also the reason why many substance users become depressed and lethargic after their high wears off. Over time, the brain depends on these external substances to feel normal, reducing natural neurotransmitter production.
Kidney Damage
In 2014, she achieved her master of arts in psychology from Boston University, harnessing a particular interest in the effects that drugs and trauma have on the functioning brain. Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that results in compulsive use of psychoactive substances despite the negative consequences. If left untreated drug addiction can lead to serious, life-altering effects on the body. Drug addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease that involves complex interactions between a person’s environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences. Drug abuse and addiction can also lead to generally poor health in indirect ways.
Medical Disclaimer
- Over time, chronic substance abuse can lead to the loss of assets, including personal property, savings, and long-term financial security.
- This comprehensive guide offers insights into the often-overlooked long-term toll of addiction, helping readers understand why recovery is essential for rebuilding a healthier future.
- For many people struggling with long-term substance abuse, addiction is closely tied to underlying mental health conditions like trauma or depression.
- The consequences of addiction to these substances are often irreversible, making awareness and prevention measures critically important.
- To prevent liver damage, individuals should seek help to reduce or eliminate substance use, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid alcohol.
Over time, individuals may find it difficult to regulate emotions without the substance, creating a cycle that deepens dependence. Aside from buying marijuana, there are often related costs for paraphernalia, plus medical consultations or legal documentation in states where it’s regulated. Most people report improvements in memory and thinking after they cut back or stop using marijuana.
Using illicit opioids like heroin or fentanyl, or misusing prescribed opioid medications such as oxycontin can cause slow and ineffective breathing. The number of people who drink alcohol is steadily on the rise, as is the amount of alcohol being consumed. The prevalence of Korsakoffs syndrome is between 1% and 2% for the general population, compared to 12% and 14% in people who have misused alcohol.
How can addiction harm other people?
Regardless of what type of addiction treatment sober house program a person chooses, what matters the most is getting and staying clean. The sooner a person gets help, the less damage their addiction can cause them and the people around them. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab programs across the country. In an outpatient program, an individual will continue to live at home throughout the program, checking in for treatment sessions on a regular basis. These are an effective option for people who cannot take time away from home, but they do require a higher level of self-motivation to maintain abstinence, since the home environment can present potential triggers.
Cocaine and Heroin
Even in states where marijuana is legal, regular use can still present legal challenges. Workplace drug testing policies, housing restrictions, and driving laws all create complications for regular users. Understanding and navigating these legal boundaries is an important part of managing long-term use. Choosing alternative ways to use marijuana (like switching from smoking to vaping or edibles) is one way to protect your lung health. Instead, they can serve as learning https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview opportunities, providing valuable insights into triggers and effective coping strategies. If you’re ready to embark on a journey towards healing and recovery, reach out to us at Boardwalk Recovery Center in San Diego.
- Different classes of addictive substances influence the brain and behavior throughout the addiction cycle in unique ways.
- Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of one of the most common types of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.
- It is predicted that without the contribution of drug use to death rates, life expectancy at age 15 would improve by half a year in men, from 63.1 to 63.6 years.
- Addiction can be scary, especially if you don’t know what you or your loved one is dealing with, why it’s happening, and how it can be helped.
- Sometimes, drug misuse can increase a user’s risk of developing a mental disorder.
Mental health support is also crucial, as many face co-occurring mental health disorders alongside substance abuse. Addressing both SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders is essential for effective treatment. Incorporating holistic therapies and comprehensive treatment strategies can improve outcomes and enhance recovery efforts.
Understanding the full extent of the effects of drug abuse can help in developing more effective strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery. Long-term substance abuse doesn’t just affect the body—it takes a significant toll on the mind as well. The psychological impacts of addiction can be profound and far-reaching, often intertwining with emotional and mental health struggles that can feel overwhelming. Integrated treatment that addresses both the substance use disorder and the mental health disorder may be needed for a person to find and sustain recovery. Laguna Treatment Center offers co-occurring disorder treatment in a beautiful California setting. Getting treatment can prevent or, in some cases, reverse the harmful effects of drugs on the brain and help restore you to optimal health.
Therefore, exploring a variety of coping mechanisms and finding what works best for each individual is key. These long-term effects underscore the need for comprehensive treatment approaches that address both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. If the person stops using drugs at an early stage, these brain changes can still be saved. In fact, a study showed that if a person stops using drugs or alcohol within 100 days, the brain can still recover. Although the changes are not fully recovered, there is a chance that your brain can still function after detoxing and withdrawing from long-term drug use. Truth is, drug and alcohol addiction is difficult to overcome because it changes the chemicals in the brain.
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