Alcohol & Drug Effects

Alcohol and drug abuse has an effect on health certainly. However, there can be considerable collateral damage to overlooked areas, such as the abuser's financial security, psychological stability and motivations for life, the results of which can produce serious and lasting effects on those around him.

Personality Changes

• Personalities can be affected by the use of drugs and alcohol: quiet or timid persons can become noisy, rowdy, unruly and even violent when under the influence of these substances.

Psychological Condtions

• Studies on the influence of drugs and alcohol published in the British Journal of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine discuss marijuana use as being linked to amotivational syndrome (lost of interest in life and activities) and stimulants (meth and cocaine) as bringing about psychosis (a mental state disconnected from reality).

Denial and Rationalization

• The urge to use drugs and alcohol can be so powerful, that even the strongest and sanest minds tend towards the denial and rationalization of substance use: the effects of which contribute to problems at work or school, financial dilemmas and tension in relationships.

Health

• People who abuse drugs and alcohol have a greater propensity to neglect their own health and, according to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Addiction, are at greater risk for infectious diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis) especially if needles are shared.

Crime

• The nature of addiction makes the urge to use so compelling that an addict may result to criminal activity in order to obtain the money or drugs necessary to satisfy the temptation.