What Are the Ill Effects of Drug Abuse

According to Medline Plus, drug abuse causes about 40 million serious injuries or illnesses in the United States alone, making it a major public health problem. Drug abuse could be the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of over-the-counter or prescription medicine. It is a burden that affects society as a whole, not just drug addicts.

Physical Effects

• Both drug and alcohol abuse can inhibit brain development and cause brain damage. Especially in teenagers, drug abuse causes the brain to remain stuck at the maturity level at which the drug use began. According to Merrill Norton, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Georgia, methamphetamine use over a six month period can cause the brain of a teenager to look like that of an Alzheimer's patient. Over time, drug abuse can also cause serious damage to major organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, researchers discovered a connection between drug abuse and heart disease and also states that about one third of the HIV/AIDS cases reported in the United States in 2000, as well as most cases of Hepatitis C, were associated with drug use through injection. High doses of most drugs, as well as impure or dangerous drug substitutes can cause life-threatening health problems such as respiratory failure, heart attacks and coma. A long list of other health problems such as tremors, seizures, infertility, weakened immune system, hearing loss, lung damage, impotence and skin disorders are all long term ill effects of drug abuse.

Mental and Psychological Effects

• Because of the negative effects of long term drug use on the brain, as well as the dependence it creates, drug abuse often results in psychological problems. Drug abuse can trigger or worsen mental disorders, especially in vulnerable individuals. People often use drugs to escape from physical or emotional discomfort, but in the long run, drug abuse can actually lead to even more stress and depression. Prolonged drug use disrupts normal body and brain functions. This sometimes results in unpredictable and violent behavior, worsening the user's depression and self image. Drug users often become lethargic, losing interest in the world around them. They may also become moody, cranky, negative or worried all the time.

Effects on Performance in Life

• An addict's preoccupation with drugs can seriously affect his performance in life. Mood swings and violence can lead to marital issues, often ending in divorce. Poor performance at work under the influence of drugs invariably leads to dismissal. Those still in school struggle to plan, learn and concentrate, often leading the drug user to drop out of school. Because many addicts will do anything to obtain their daily drug supply, drug abuse often leads to criminal behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 60 percent of the adults in federal prisons are there because of drug-related crimes. A criminal conviction for drug possession can cause a lot of problems. While the Federal Fair Housing Act prevents discrimination against color, race, religion, handicap, sex or familial status, it does nothing to stop prospective landlords from discriminating against individuals with criminal records.

Effects on the Family and Society

• Drug abuse negatively affects the family unit. Teen drug users often become hostile, and decision making is impaired. Family relationships suffer as the teen drug user sets a bad example for younger siblings and causes a lot of hostility in the family. In families where one of the parents is a drug user, drug abuse disrupts family life and often creates patterns of codependency. The spouse or the whole family would often, out of fear of consequences or love, enable the drug user to continue using drugs. They would supply money, cover it up or deny that there is a problem. Drug use when pregnant can cause brain damage to the unborn baby. Drug-exposed children are 1.5 times more likely than other children to require special education in school. This has a negative effect on society, as according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, special education costs for this population were estimated in 2003 at $23 million per year. Expenses related to health care for drug users, as well as state-run drug rehabilitation centers, costs the U.S. billions of dollars yearly. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as of the date of publication, substance abuse costs the United States more than $484 billion per year.