10 Nasty Physical Effects of Drugs on the Human Body (Some Will Surprise You!)
Drugs can kill. Even with the promise of a high that nothing else seems to reach, they can lead to you spiraling down to death. In fact, there were 70,237 deaths caused by drug overdoses in 2017. Is it still worth the high? Uncertain about how drugs can physically affect you? Here are the various physical effects of drugs that bring more harm to your body than good.
1. Weakened Immune System
One of the physical effects of drugs takes place inside. The continual use of drugs can compromise your immunity against diseases and infection. Regardless of the type of drug you are using, they have adverse effects on the body in some form or another.
For instance, cocaine reduces the immune system’s response to lung infections. This is because it damages the mucous lining.
Opioids and narcotics have various ways of affecting the immune system. For instance, morphine imposes a direct impact to the blood cells. With a weakened immune system, viral and bacterial infections can affect the body without any means of protection.
2. Heart Conditions
Heart conditions are also rampant due to after-effects of drug abuse. Most drugs cause damage to the heart, whether it’s through heart attacks or abnormal heart rates.
Cocaine can cause strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac arrests. All of these can lead to death when not treated right away.
Injected drugs can cause complications and damage to the blood vessels. This can lead to collapsed veins and bacterial infections affecting the bloodstream and heart valves.
3. Damage to Heart and Lungs
Along with the heart conditions mentioned above, drug abuse also leads to the damage of the cardiovascular organs. In this case, the heart and the lungs are at risk due to the way these drugs undermine them.
For instance, marijuana and nicotine (from cigarettes) affect the lungs due to smoke. Said smoke can cause lung infections and respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis.
Opiates like heroin can limit the amount of oxygen entering the brain. This causes brain damage.
4. Damage to Other Internal Organs
Other internal organs suffer due to drug use. The one that is at risk the most is the liver, due to how toxic these drugs are to the body. It has to work twice as hard to break down these substances, decreasing liver function and causing long-term damage to the organ.
The kidneys are also affected by these drugs due to how some of them affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. MDMA drugs cause spikes in body temperature, leading to kidney failure.
The digestive system also gets affected by drug abuse. This can lead to acid reflux, nausea, and gastric ulcers. At other times, drugs cause a loss of appetite, which leads to malnourishment.
5. Jaw, Teeth Issues, and Oral Problems
Drug effects also open up various oral problems. Each type of drug would have different issues that affect the jaw, the teeth, and so on.
To start, methamphetamine can cause damage to the mouth. It may get to the point that the teeth suffer from severe decay, either wearing down to the gums or turning black.
Meanwhile, cocaine also mixes with saliva to cause the enamel on your teeth to dissolve. This also leads to other issues like damage to the palate, affecting your speech and your ability to eat and drink.
Other drugs can lead to issues like dry mouth, tooth grinding, and even oral cancer.
6. Skin Issues and External Appearance
Signs of drug abuse do not only affect the inside of your body. They also manifest on your outward appearance as well.
Among the common skin issues include acne and lesions. Other drugs also cause dull skin due to the lack of proper nutrients.
7. Brain Damage
Other adverse effects of drugs on the body also include the brain and how it functions. One aspect to mention is severe brain damage.
The use of drugs triggers the production of dopamine, which elicits pleasure. However, it also comes with other dire effects.
One of these is memory loss. Long-term drug use affects brain functioning, which also impairs a person’s capability to learn and perform other cognitive actions. Prolonged drug use also causes the brain to shrink.
8. Behavioral Problems and Psychosis
As it affects the brain’s cognitive functions, it also affects behavior and mental health. These behavioral issues include paranoia, aggression, and impulsiveness.
Prolonged drug use also leads to other risks like depression and loss of self-control. The worst case scenario would lead to suicide.
9. Addiction
As mentioned before, the use of drugs triggers the production of dopamine, the pleasure hormone. This is also reflective in other activities that you would take pleasure in. When something feels good, your brain will tell you to do it again.
Due to this, it would be hard for a person to break the habit as the substance continues to undermine everything in the body. It will take intervention and rehabilitation process to break out from it.
10. Risks to Infants (During Pregnancy)
The effects of drugs on your body also extends to the unborn child that you are carrying if you are pregnant. It leads to multiple problems like miscarriages, premature birth, and low birth weight. The child, once born, may also suffer from a variety of behavioral and cognitive problems.
Don’t hesitate to seek help and come clean, especially if you are within the Norman, Oklahoma area. Here’s a peek at how that looks.
Avoid the Physical Effects of Drugs!
Despite the high they give, drugs do more harm to you than good. But you can still turn your life around and break free from drug addiction. There is no better time to avoid the physical effects of drugs than now.
Head to the closest rehab center today. If you are in Norman, Oklahoma, we can help you out in the rehab process. Contact us today and we’ll help you start your journey.
