How Does Substance Use Affect Health and Well-Being?
Substance use disorder is a chronic condition that affects brain and body function, leading to withdrawal symptoms and increasing the risk of other serious health issues. Genetics can also influence a person’s susceptibility, and while treatment is available and often effective, addiction can still take a profound toll on physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
How Does Substance Use Affect Health and Well-Being?
Addiction doesn’t happen overnight; for most people, it’s something that occurs over time. The use of illegal drugs, injecting drugs, or even misusing prescribed medications can increase the risk of developing substance use disorder. This condition carries both immediate and long-term consequences for physical and mental health, can cause withdrawal symptoms, and often disrupts daily functioning.
A person who uses drugs or alcohol recreationally, whether to have a good time or to escape life’s hardships, may begin using them repeatedly in an attempt to recreate the pleasurable effects these substances provide. However, with repeated use over time, a person’s body adapts to the presence of drugs or alcohol, leading to tolerance and, eventually, dependence or addiction.
Understanding the Effects of Substance Use
Drugs affect various parts of the brain, including the basal ganglia (reward circuit), extended amygdala (stress circuit), and the prefrontal cortex (decision-making and impulse control. These factors, including genetics and environment, play major roles in addiction and health risks.
The effects of drugs, including stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens, vary but are all capable of altering critical brain chemistry and body systems. One of the best ways to combat the risk of developing an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is by understanding the effects that substances have on one’s overall health and well-being.
Are you concerned about certain behaviors a loved one has recently developed and wish to discuss the potential risks with them? Or have you been using drugs or alcohol yourself and begun to question whether it may be developing into a problem? Read on to discover the many negative effects that substances can have on your physical and mental health and general well-being.
The Physical Effects of Substance Use
When an individual uses drugs or alcohol, they experience the immediate physical effects that are associated with these substances. These effects can vary depending on the specific substance, the amount and frequency of use, and the person’s overall health. Regardless of the type of substance used, drug and alcohol consumption can lead to both short- and long-term physical effects.
Short-Term Physical Effects
Effects of drug use, including stimulants, opioids, and alcohol, begin within minutes to hours and may involve significant changes to bodily functions. The short-term physical effects that are associated with substance use depend on the aforementioned factors. However, the following are examples of the immediate effects an individual may experience from substance use:
- Changes in breathing
- Changes in heart rate
- Sleepiness
- Lack of coordination
- Changes in appetite: appetite suppression or increased appetite
- Marbled, slurred, or muffled speech
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Long-Term Physical Effects
Using a substance for a prolonged period can result in the above-mentioned symptoms, as well as the following:
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Chest pain
- Muscle cramping
- Constipation
- Changes in weight: weight gain or loss
- Changes in body temperature
- Seizures
Those who misuse drugs, especially injected drugs or illegal drugs, face additional health risks, including infection, vein damage, and increased risk for conditions like hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. The effects of drug misuse accumulate, leading to more severe health issues over time, including organ damage and neurological impairment.
The Mental Effects of Substance Use
Using drugs and/or alcohol can also impair cognitive and mental health, and can include both short- and long-term effects.
Short-Term Mental Health Effects
Substance use can have an almost immediate effect on a person’s mental state. The following are examples of short-term effects that may occur from substance use.
- Altered mood; mood swings
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to relax
- Inability to think clearly and rationally
- Changes in your perception of reality
Long-Term Mental Health Effects
Prolonged use of drugs and/or alcohol can also lead to result in long-term or even permanent damage to your mental health. Listed below are some of the long-term effects and long-term damage that you could potentially experience from substance use:
- Cognitive impairment
- Memory problems
- Poor decision-making skills
- Severe depression and/or anxiety
Depending on the types of substances that you are using, your overall mental and physical health, how much of the substance you were using, and for how long, you could even develop dementia.
Drug misuse, particularly for those with underlying health conditions or risk factors, exacerbates mental health problems and can create a cycle of substance abuse, increased risk, and further decline in well-being.
Effects, including worsening of mental illnesses and development of new psychiatric conditions, are frequently observed with chronic substance use
Health Complications Associated with Substance Use
Certain types of health-related problems have been linked to substance use. The following are some of the potential issues that you could develop:
- Heart damage
- Kidney damage
- Lung damage
- Liver damage
- Cancers
- Mental health problems
- Dental health problems
Risk factors for these complications include not just what drugs are used, but how they are administered. Injected drugs and mixing drugs, including over-the-counter or prescription medications, can increase the risk for severe health complications. The effects of drug abuse manifest across various organ systems, amplifying overall health risks.
In the most extreme cases, drug and/or alcohol use can also result in death.
Substance Use: Mental and Physical Effects
The best way to combat substance abuse and addiction is by being aware of the potential complications that can arise and by being cognizant of your habits. If you suspect that you or someone you love is developing a problem, treatment programs, substance abuse counselors, and health professionals can help address substance use disorder and aid recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of the brain is most affected by substance use disorder?
The basal ganglia, extended amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are most affected, impacting reward, stress, and decision-making; drugs, including opioids, can also disrupt brain stem functions critical for heart rate and breathing.
What increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder?
Risk factors include genetics, early drug use, mental health conditions, environmental influences, method of drug use (such as injected drugs), and misuse of both illegal and legal drugs.
What are common withdrawal symptoms for substance use disorder?
Withdrawal symptoms vary by substance but may include anxiety, irritability, sweating, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, tremors, depression, and, in severe cases, seizures and cardiovascular collapse.
How does drug misuse affect heart rate and overall cardiovascular health?
Certain drugs, especially stimulants, can increase heart rate and blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart and potentially leading to abnormal heart rhythms or heart damage.
Are there health risks associated with combining drugs or using injected drugs?
Yes, mixing drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous. Injected drugs increase the risk for infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis), vein damage, and overdose.
What are effective treatment programs for substance use disorder?
Treatment programs may include medical detox, behavioral therapy, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and ongoing support; approaches are individualized based on the type and severity of substance use, as well as health conditions and risk factors.
What long-term health conditions can result from substance abuse?
Substance abuse may lead to chronic health conditions like liver disease, kidney damage, stroke, cancer, mental health disorders, cognitive decline, and even death.
How do withdrawal symptoms impact recovery?
Withdrawal symptoms, both physical and psychological, can be severe and require medical supervision. Proper management increases the likelihood of successful recovery and long-term well-being.
Blue Sky Counseling Omaha – Drug & Alcohol Counseling Omaha, NE
I, Carly Spring, M.S., LIMHP, LADC, CPC, offer my specialized expertise to assist in the healing process to anyone who may be experiencing and suffering from a vast spectrum of mental health issues. Such mental health issues include behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, addiction issues, and life transitions. I believe strongly in applying a holistic perspective addressing your whole person not just the bits and pieces of you. Contact us with any questions or to discuss substance abuse/addiction services in Omaha today.
