Physical long-term effects

The long-term effects of drug abuse can be extremely harmful where the individual’s physical health is concerned. Problems associated with these effects are numerous and vary from one individual to the next. They can also become life-threatening if the person does not get professional help for their drug abuse issues. Drugs that are smoked can result in numerous problems with cancers of the mouth and throat.

Drugs that affect one’s central and peripheral nervous system can lead to numerous psychological problems including psychotic behavior. Additionally, stimulants can cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Another issue involves pregnancy. Drug abuse can lead to adverse conditions involving the health of the fetus. They can become life-threatening to both fetus and mother. They can also lead to health conditions and problems that could last for the lifetime of the infant after they are born.

The long-term effects of certain drug categories

Although there are a number of warning signs that occur with drug abuse and are extremely common from one individual to the next, the effects of each drug used will usually be very different when comparing one to another. Consider the following:

1. Barbiturates and tranquilizers – hangover-like symptoms are very common with these types of drugs. Comas, nausea, and seizures oftentimes occur while mixing these drugs with alcohol can turn fatal, just like overdosing on them.
2. Cocaine – long-term effects of drug abuse where cocaine or crack is concerned include cardiac and respiratory failure, psychoses, seizures, and tremors.
3. Hallucinogens – one of the most common hallucinogen is LSD. It can cause a number of adverse long-term effects including depression, disorientation, and elevated heart rate. Paranoia and psychosis are very common as well.
4. Hashish and marijuana – memory impairment is oftentimes very apparent immediately after these have been smoked. They can cause elevated blood pressure and rapid heart rate as well.
5. Narcotic opioids and opiates – circulatory and respiratory depression, constipation, dizziness, impotence, and withdrawal illnesses are very common where the long-term effects of drug abuse with these substances is concerned.
6. PCP – this substance is well known for triggering some very unpredictable and oftentimes violent behavior. It can also cause convulsions, dizziness, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, impotence, and numbness in certain extremities. Higher doses of PCP can result in blood vessels rupturing, fatal heart attacks, and respiratory failure.
7. Stimulants – long-term effects of drug abuse with amphetamines and methamphetamines include blurred vision, dizziness, elevate blood pressure and heart rate, impotence, psychosis, seizures, skin disorders, and tremors.

Getting help for drug abuse

If you or a loved one have been using a substance excessively and are suffering with some of the including cognitive problems, infertility, lung damage, and a weakened immune system, you should call the Freedom Center immediately. We can customized our drug abuse programs to effectively address your exclusive needs so that you can overcome your problems and return home to live substance-free for life. Please call us today at the toll-free phone number listed above.