We all know that even recreational use of drugs can lead to addiction, infection, and in the worst-case scenario—overdose. The legalization of some drugs has dulled their potentially harmful side effects and the increasing use of marijuana and prescription painkillers has added a false sense of security to a very serious issue.
What many people don’t think about when they dabble in recreational drug use, is the long-term, negative effects that drugs have on their body. Most will be familiar with what drugs do in the short term, but how do they impact our health in the years to come?
The fact of the matter is that all drugs can potentially harm us in the long term. Of course, just how badly depends on aspects like frequency of use, choice of drug, and the method that it is taken.
Let’s take a look at how some of these factors can affect the health and overall wellness of the body.
Side Effects of Drug Use Methods
The way in which a user takes their drugs will have an impact on how it affects their body in the long run. Here are just some of the ways the different methods can negatively impact the body:
- Oral ingestion: Pills are obviously the main culprit when it comes to swallowing drugs. The long-term effects of this could be gastrointestinal issues, such as stomach ulcers, and more.
- Snorting: Cocaine is the most common form of drug that is snorted, and it has a massive impact on your nasal system. In the short term, it could lead to breathing problems and a regular bloody nose. In the long term, it could cause users to lose their sense of smell, chronic nosebleeds/runs, perforations of the nasal septum (holes in the wall between the nostrils), and even total collapse of the nasal structure.
- Smoking: Just like smoking tobacco cigarettes, smoking any illicit drugs can lead to respiratory issues and illnesses like pneumonia and lung cancer.
- Injection/intravenous: The biggest risk of intravenously taking drugs is the infectious diseases that users can encounter at the site of the injection, as well as in places like the heart. Collapsed veins and track marks are also long-term side effects.
The Long-Term Effects of Specific Drugs
Every single drug out there impacts the body differently and there will be varied effects on the body depending on the choice of substance. Here is how specific drugs negatively impact the body in the long term:
Heroin
Heroin is an euphoria-producing drug that attaches to the brain’s opioid receptors almost immediately after use. It is one of the most highly addictive drugs in the world and can produce extreme withdrawal symptoms, as well as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
It’s been reported that substantial use of heroin can physically damage the brain and weaken white matter. The brain’s function and structure are changed, and this leads to impaired sleep patterns, mood regulations, and response to stressors. It has a negative impact on the way that users make decisions and act. Heroin can also create hormonal imbalances and impacts neuronal systems in a way that is often irreversible.
Cocaine
The stimulant nature of cocaine is what makes it so dangerous. It floods the brain with dopamine, producing an instant high. The chemicals interrupt and confuse the body’s pleasure and reward systems until it craves cocaine in order to release dopamine.
The immediate effects of cocaine increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack significantly and over time, users could experience psychotic episodes, paranoia, panic attacks, tremors, and more.
Some of the more damaging effects that prolonged use of cocaine can have on the body include:
- Bleeding on the brain.
- Eating or weight disorders and weight loss because of lack of appetite.
- A negative impact on the cardiovascular system could cause chest pain, aortic ruptures, an increased risk of having a stroke, and inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Impulse control problems, memory issues, trouble making decisions, attention problems, and reduced motor skills.
Methamphetamine
Meth is similar to cocaine in that it is a stimulant that is highly addictive. In the short term, users can expect insomnia, paranoia, confusion, and violent tendencies. Prolonged use can impact emotional regulation, verbal skills, memory, and motor skills. One of the most noticeable impacts of meth on the body is that of “meth mouth”, in which the gums and teeth deteriorate to such an extent that significant dentistry is usually required to get it anything close to what it was before the addiction.
Marijuana
Despite its legal status for medical and recreational use in some states, regular, long-term marijuana use does not come without consequences and risks. The risks of damage from cannabis, in the long run, are substantially higher for those who smoke regularly before the brain is fully developed. Many people who use marijuana for a prolonged period during adolescence struggle to perform academically, they lack motivation, struggle with memory loss, and have other significant learning issues.
Marijuana is particularly harmful to those that are predisposed to mental health issues like schizophrenia, and heavy use could lead to psychotic episodes, paranoia, anxiety, and depression. Of course, there is also an increased risk of lung cancer, pneumonia, and other issues from smoking marijuana.
Read More: Little Known Ways to High Yield Growth Of Marijuana
Get Help Now
The long-term effects of drugs on the health and wellness of the body are not fully understood yet, but it’s safe to say that there are some very serious negative impacts that have already been confirmed. The best way to avoid damage to the body is to get clean and stop using drugs. It’s important for users to seek professional help to get them on the road to recovery safely. It’s important for users to seek professional help to get them on the road to recovery safely. Meanwhile, for people suffering from opioid addiction, it is also best to know the medications prescribed to you and if you have the time, please research more about what suboxone ingredients are to give you an idea of what it does to your body.
