Physical effects caused by drug abuse

Asking yourself, what diseases can you get from drug abuse, is a good question. As you will see in these passages, you will be alarmed at all the diseases that can be caused by drug use and addiction. Drug misuse can be associated with dangerous behaviors like sharing needles and having unprotected sex, it can weaken a person’s immunological system. These combinations significantly increase the probability of contracting hepatitis, HIV, and various infectious diseases. The physical effects of drug abuse can be very harmful which is why preventing drug misuse can prevent individuals from becoming addicted to drugs.

If you are wondering what diseases can you get from drug abuse and addiction, and diseases caused by drugs and alcohol, here are just a few physical effects of drug abuse:

  • HIV and hepatitis/AIDS
  • Stroke
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Stroke
  • Mental disease (induce mental health disorders)
  • Lung disease
  • Hepatitis B and C
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Gastrointestinal Effects
  • Death

Using drugs, whether a prescription drug or an illegal drug, will also cause indirect effects on drug users of the drugs as well as friends, loved ones, and co-workers. It can affect the user’s nutritional system, heart rate, affect sleeping patterns, weight loss, impede decision-making and impulsivity control, and put them at high risk for trauma, injuries, and violence. Drug usage also is known to affect babies that are born to women who abuse drugs when expecting. Wider adverse consequences have been seen in educational levels, with employment, housing issues, most relationships, and occurrences with the criminal justice system.

Drug use and addiction will have a broad range of short- and long-term effects. Such effects frequently vary from the specific drugs used, the amount taken, the user’s current health, and numerous other factors that play a big role. Short-term effects of drug misuse vary from deviations in appetite causing weight loss, temperament, blood pressure levels, heart attacks, psychosis, overdoses, and including sudden death. Many of the aforementioned health effects may occur only after only one use. If an individual does not use substances, they may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. 

Some of the longer-term effects can involve heart issues or lung diseases, various cancers, a broad spectrum of mental illnesses/mental health disorders, and numerous other effects. Still, asking what diseases can you get from drug abuse? Long-term drug usage increases the risk of addiction. Addiction is a form of brain disorder. Not all people that use drugs will become addicted, but for those that do, drug usage can undeniably alter how the brain circuits work. Persistent drug abuse can result in a mental disorder and increases the risk of many other complications. Brain alterations interfere with how people feel the normal pleasures in their lives, things like sex and food, the ability to control stress levels, cause trouble making decisions, the ability to learn things, and trouble remembering. All of these changes make it very challenging for someone to stop using the drugs, even while causing such negative effects on their daily lives. As much as they want to quit, they can’t.

Here are just a few more facts about diseases caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Some Long-Term Health Risks caused over time from extreme alcohol use can cause numerous chronic diseases as well as other serious problems such as High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.

There is a lot of health information available online that can assist in patient care, facts, and statistics. Here are just a few of the cancers you can get from alcohol abuse:

  • Breast
  • Mouth
  • Throat
  • Esophagus
  • Liver
  • Colon

Abstention from drinking alcohol is the best method to help reverse alcohol damage and damage to the nervous system, as well as to the brain and liver, but this depends on the gravity of damage that has already been incurred. For the early stages of alcoholic liver disease, abstinence may assist in reversing some liver damage, this happens by stabilizing liver enzymes that have become elevated by the excesses of alcohol abuse. We offer treatment programs that are designed for patient success in drug or alcohol abuse.

By now, if you are still wondering what diseases can you get from drug abuse, please call the experts at our treatment center at (877) 640-7820 and let them walk you through all the many answers to the questions you are still asking and seek the help you need. 

Stop the vicious cycle today and begin your road to addiction recovery now. We can help you get into drug or alcohol addiction recovery; call now to request an appointment and for health information regarding a mental disorder or substance use disorder. Whether you struggle with illicit drug abuse or are a victim of the opioid crisis, we treat all types of substance use disorders at our treatment center. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.