- Long term effects
Chronic drug use can alter a person’s brain structure and function, resulting in long-term psychological effects, such as: depression, anxiety, panic disorders, increased aggression, paranoia, hallucinations.
- Cardiovascular disease
Stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamines, can damage the heart and blood vessels. The long-term use of these drugs can lead to coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and heart attack.
- Respiratory problems
Drugs that people smoke or inhale can damage the respiratory system and lead to chronic respiratory infections and diseases. Opioids slow a person’s breathing by binding to specific receptors in the central nervous system that regulate respiration. By depressing a person’s respiration, these drugs can lead to slow breathing or heavy snoring.
- Kidney damage
The kidneys filter excess minerals and waste products from the blood. Heroin, ketamine, and synthetic cannabinoids can cause kidney damage or kidney failure.
- Liver disease
Chronic drug and alcohol use can damage the liver cells, leading to inflammation, scarring, and even liver failure.
- Overdose
Taking too much of a drug or taking multiple drugs together can result in an overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose caused 67,367 deathsTrusted Source in the United States in 2018. Opioids contributed to nearly 70% of these deaths.
How to get help:
Finding the right treatment program can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to think about when seeking treatment for drug abuse, misuse, or addiction:
consider whether inpatient or outpatient services would be the best fit
find local treatment centers using this resource from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
note that state-run treatment centers and programs can be free of charge
look for programs that use evidence-based treatment strategies
