How Does Substance Use Affect Health and Well-Being?
Substance addiction is diagnosed as a chronic medical condition that is comprised of complicated interconnections between the circuits in an individual’s brain, the environment they’re exposed to, and the experiences they’ve had throughout their life. Genetics plays a role in this medical condition, too. Fortunately, substance use disorders are treatable; however, addiction can take a serious toll on a person’s physical and mental health and overall well-being.
How Does Substance Use Affect Health and Well-Being?
Addiction doesn’t happen overnight; for most people, it’s something that occurs over time. A person who uses drugs and/or alcohol recreationally to have a good time or as a way to escape hardships and numb their pain can use it repetitively, as they try to recreate the feel-good effects that the substances create. However, with repeat use, over time, an individual can develop a tolerance for drugs and/or alcohol as his body adjusts to the substance, and eventually, he can become addicted.
Understanding the Effects of Substance Use
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 worried about the habits that a loved one is starting to develop and you want to educate him or her about the potential risks of those habits? Or, have you been using drugs and/or alcohol yourself and you’re worried that you might be developing a problem? If so, 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 you use drugs or alcohol you experience the immediate physical effects that are associated with these substances. These effects vary and depend on the specific substance that is being used, how much and how often it is being used, and your overall health in the first place. No matter which type of substance you’re using, however, drugs and alcohol use can cause both short- and long-term physical effects.
Short-Term Physical Effects
The short-term physical effects that are associated with substance use depend on the aforementioned factors. However, the following are some examples of the immediate effects you may experience from substance use:
- Changes in your 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 of time 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
The Mental Effects of Substance Use
Using drugs and/or alcohol can also impair your cognitive and mental health, and can also include both short- and long-term effects.
Short-Term Mental Health Effects
Substance use can have an almost immediate effect on your mental state. The following are some of the effects that you may experience with substance use in the short term:
- 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.
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
In the most extreme cases, drug and/or alcohol use can also result in death.
Substance Use: Mental and Physical Affects
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, support groups, and substance abuse counselors are available to give you the help you deserve.
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.
