THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON HEALTH

Drug Effects

Substance use disorders are associated with a wide range of short- and long-term health effects. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and how often it’s taken and the person’s general health. Overall, the effects of drug abuse and dependence can be far-reaching. They can impact almost every organ in the human body.

Side effects of drug addiction may include:

  • A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and infection
  • Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks and collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs
  • Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in appetite and weight loss
  • Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of significant liver damage or liver failure
  • Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage
  • Lung disease
  • Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult
  • Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems

All drugs–nicotine, cocaine, marijuana and others–affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system. This area of the brain affects instinct and mood. Drugs target this system, which causes large amounts of dopamine—a brain chemical that helps regulate emotions and feelings of pleasure—to flood the brain. This flood of dopamine is what causes a “high.” It’s one of the main causes of drug addiction.

Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs can alter brain chemistry. This can actually change how the brain performs and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices. It can lead to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a substance dependency or drug and alcohol addiction.

Alcohol can have short- and long-term effects on the brain and disrupts the brain’s communication pathways. These can influence mood, behavior and other cognitive function.

Brain damage may also occur through alcohol-induced nutrition deficiencies, alcohol-induced seizures and liver disease. In pregnant women, alcohol exposure can impact the brains of unborn babies, resulting in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

It is reported that alcohol-induced brain problems can often be corrected with proper treatment. Abstinence from alcohol for months or years can help partially repair thinking abilities, like memory skills.

Illicit drug use poses risks for pregnant women and their babies. Drugs may contain impurities that can be harmful to an unborn baby. Pregnant women who use drugs may be more likely to harm the fetus with risky behaviors and poor nutrition. Drug use can lead to premature birth or low birth weight. It can also cause the baby to have withdrawal symptoms (sometimes in the form of neonatal abstinence syndrome), birth defects or learning and behavioral problems later in life.

 

Motivation for treatment in patients with substance use disorder: personal volunteering versus legal/familial enforcement

Motivation

Motivation for treatment on the part of patients with addictive disorders is known to affect their prognosis, and lack thereof is reported to be among the most common reasons for failed treatment adherence and relapse after treatment. This study evaluated the relationship between volunteering, personality, demographic factors, and motivation for treatment.

The study was conducted at a substance dependence center in the eastern part of Turkey. Forty-five patients (mean age 37.9±11.2 years) with a substance use disorder were included. They were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) Axis II disorders. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Beck depression and anxiety inventories, and motivation for treatment was measured using the Turkish version of the Texas Christian University Motivation for Treatment scale.

All patients had been using substances daily and 41 (88.9%) had been using multiple drugs. The most commonly used substance was heroin (n=18, 40%). Voluntary admission was a predictor of motivation for treatment (P<0.05). Having a personality disorder and higher depression scores were related to less motivation for treatment.

Motivation for treatment is affected by external factors such as type of admission and internal factors such as personality disorder and depression. Investigation of ways to encourage voluntary admission for treatment instead of enforced strategies may be helpful for achieving higher levels of motivation for treatment in substance users.

 

12 Powerful Home Remedies For Drug Addiction

Treatment of Drug Addiction

Addiction is a global problem and affects millions of people every year. Thankfully, there are a number of home remedies for drug addiction including caffeine, apple cider vinegar, hypnosis, licorice root, ibogaine, milk thistle, skullcap, ginkgo biloba, proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts. There are also various alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, and animal, horticulture, and art therapy.

Drug addiction, or substance dependence, is a chronic disease that affects the brain and behavior. It usually starts as a voluntary use for recreational or experimental purposes, in time, the drugs change brain chemistry and the addict consumes them compulsively. Drug addiction could mean the abuse of alcohol,  heroin, cocaine, tobacco, barbiturates, amphetamines, ecstasy, and benzodiazepines.

Treatments for Drug Addiction

Traditional solutions for drug addiction include:

  • Going “cold turkey”
  • 12-step programs
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Antidepressants
  • Replacement substances (such as methadone instead of heroin)

There are pros and cons to all of those treatment options, particularly the use of medication, which can often lead to addictions of a different kind.  Given that fact, there are many people who promote the idea of a natural solution for drug addiction. Let’s look a little closer at some of these impressive home remedies for drug addiction

Here are some of the best home remedies for drug addiction:

Meditation

Studies have analyzed the effects of meditation and have found it to measurably reduce the psychological and physiological triggers of substance abuse. Meditation can promote mindfulness and awareness of thoughts and feelings; you can channel that positive energy into mastering your emotions and preventing negative experiences or stress that result in drug use or a relapse. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is popularly used for reducing cravings for smoking cigarettes and other drugs. This can be attributed to the chemical make-up of vinegar, including acetic acid and malic acid. While research is still ongoing concerning the full impact of ACV, its ability to stop cravings and improve the immune system of the body is significant. 

Caffeine

While some may think of caffeine as a drug (and in some ways, it definitely is), it also has the ability to drive away addictive habits. Caffeine is used as a substitute for energetic substance addictions, such as alcohol, ecstasy or cocaine. The boost of adrenaline and cognitive energy can be almost mistaken for those drug rushes and can allow true addiction to wearing off without severe withdrawal symptoms. However, you can also  become addicted to caffeine, so use with caution!

Skullcap

Skullcap is a powerful nervine agent that is commonly recommended for people in their first few days of withdrawal symptoms from a drug.  If you are suffering from insomnia, headaches, nausea, and depression, there is a good chance you’re going through drug withdrawal, and that’s when you need this herb the most. It isn’t a cure for drug addiction, by any means, but it can ease the process and make it less painful.

Art Therapy

Many researchers suggest behavioral alterations as the most effective remedies for drug addiction, and art therapyhas gained a great deal of popularity.  Art therapy allows addicts to build self-esteem and confidence, avoid a negative response to common triggers, and to step outside of their destructive lifestyle to create and appreciate beauty. This therapy has been linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, both of which frequently trigger substance abuse.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a very important herb for improving and protecting the liver, which often suffers as a result of drug addiction.  Your liver works to filter your blood, and many of these substances travel through the body via the blood and are thus filtered into the liver! Milk thistle has hepato-protective properties and can help treat cirrhosisand hepatitis, as well as strengthen the liver’s ability to fight off environmental toxins.

Protein and Omega-3

Protein and omega-3 fatty acids are key components of a healthy diet, particularly for someone looking for relief from drug addiction. [8] Drugs essentially fry the neurotransmitters in the brain, and for those to be rebuilt, the body needs a solid base of healthy protein to get the mind in proper shape. All the tissues and cells in your body that have been damaged or destroyed by drug addiction must also be repaired. Omega-3s help to protect the body from additional stress during the recovery period.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the effective ways to cleanse the body and mind of stressors and toxins. [9] For recovering drug addicts, the repetitive and calming nature of yoga helps them change their mindset and reactivity, channeling destructive energy into positive movements and tangible improvements to their body.

Pet Therapy

Numerous studies have shown that pet therapy can work wonders for recovering drug addicts. The responsibility to “take care of something else” often stimulates a change in mindset, while spending time with animals has other healing effects, including lower blood pressure, decreased anxiety levels, and even a reduction in pain. 

Horticulture Therapy

The methodical nature of planting a garden and caring for it has been shown to positively benefit the mental state of those recovering from drug addiction.  The “taking care of something else” aspect of pet therapy is duplicated here, and horticulture therapy has been linked to decreased stress hormones, less insomnia, pain reduction, lower anxiety, and boosted cognitive function.

Hypnosis

Although some people seem skeptical when hypnosis is brought up, there have been numerous reports and studies on the impact of hypnotherapy on drug addiction.  There is a clear benefit of hypnotherapy over other forms of cognitive or behavioral therapy. This depends on your susceptibility to being hypnotized, the severity of your addiction, and various other factors.