The Effects of Drug Abuse on a Person

Drug abuse is the repeated misuse of illegal or legal drugs for the purpose of changing one's mood or behavior. Many people who abuse drugs suffer from drug addiction, a brain disease that causes them to have a physical and emotional dependence on a drug.

Bodily Changes

• The National Institute of Drug Abuse states that drug abuse over a period of time can alter way that nerve cells in the brain transmit and process information. Drugs are also able to increase levels of a chemical called dopamine, which causes euphoric feelings, in the brain.

Drug Effects

• Different categories of drugs produce contrasting effects in the body. Helpguide.org states that the stimulant cocaine can cause people to experience a burst of energy while the opioid heroin can make people feel relaxed.

Personalty Effects

• People who abuse drugs can be talkative, cheerful, irritable, unresponsive, paranoid, depressed, apathetic and/or angry when they are affected by drugs or are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.

Behavioral Effects

• People who abuse drugs often fail when trying to stop using drugs; experience daily cravings; spend vast amounts of money on drugs; engage in behavior that they normally would not, such as stealing; have problems at work or school and/or engage in dangerous behaviors, such as driving while under the influence of drugs.

Health Problems

• Drug abuse can put people at risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, cancer, depression, cardiovascular disease and other health problems. Babies can develop diseases and health problems, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, as a result of drug use during pregnancy.