Millions of people have their lives ruined every day by drugs. Some of these men and women willingly take illicit drugs initially, become addicted, and struggle to quit. Other individuals are prescribed addictive medications and find they cannot stop using even when the drugs are no longer needed for medical reasons. There are also individuals whose lives are ruined through no fault of their own. They are innocent bystanders who get caught up in the activities of drug users and their lives are changed forever. This includes those individuals who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, for example.
Any person who has been using drugs is probably aware of some of the short and long-term effects. However, they may remain completely oblivious to other effects that are doing the body harm. With this information, they may be able to change the path they are on and lead a drug-free life. A facility offering outpatient drug rehab in arkansas can help with this goal.
The Short-Term Effects of Drug Abuse
People who haven’t been using drugs very long may have experienced some of the short-term effects. They might remain unaware of others. Common short-term effects of drug use include hangovers and being unable to remember what one did while under the influence. Anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia have been reported by many users when using and some people have hallucinations.
Irritability, sadness, and depression are other things to watch out for. Some people find they develop a new mental health condition as a result of their drug use. The condition might be new or the drugs could bring it to the forefront. When the person tries to stop using, they might crash, and withdrawal symptoms are always a concern, even for those who have only been using drugs for a short time. Now is the time to see help before these effects amplify.
Long-Term Effects of Drug Abuse
Short-term effects of drug use are not the only thing a person needs to worry about. There are long-term effects the user should be aware of too. Often, drug use brings about a mental health condition such as early-onset Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, or major depression. Hallucinations are seen in some drug users and others become paranoid.
Stomach issues and liver problems have been reported in some individuals. Others are at higher risk of stroke or heart disease. The drug of choice plays a role in the long-term effects, but any drug can be dangerous. Withdrawal from certain drugs can actually be deadly if not handled properly. For example, the DTs seen with alcohol withdrawal might lead to death. Many people aren’t aware of this. Both the mind and body are affected when a person has a substance use disorder, but they aren’t alone.
Users cannot overlook the effects their drug use has on their lives. This use comes with financial, personal, and possibly legal implications. Relationships may be destroyed, the addict might end up with a criminal record, and maintaining a high standard of living is difficult when money is being used to purchase drugs or alcohol.
Now is the time to seek help. Any person can overcome an addiction with the right support and guidance. While some effects may be permanent, others are not. The sooner a person seeks help, the sooner they can begin the recovery process. A better life is waiting, so start today.
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