The Effects Of Drug AbuseThe effects of drug abuse can be very damaging and even sometimes undesirable physical effects can become permanent. Here we will examine just some of the effects of drug abuse because the list is long and clinicians still don't know all of the long term effects of some of the newer drugs. For years now it has been said that marijuana is not addictive and is really not harmful. This is just not true. 'Pot' has an adverse effect on several key parts of the brain. In the part of the brain the controls judgment (cerebral cortex) this drug can cause one to be less inhibited and do things they wouldn't normally do. 'Pot' can also affect blood pressure, hormones, and short and long term memory. The 'THC' in marijuana will attach to the Limbic system in the brain and can cause a need for the chemical. In other words, cause an addiction and lead to the experimentation of 'harder drugs'. The effects of drug abuse extend far past the seemingly harmless 'sleepy high' of 'pot'. When one 'graduates' to more powerful, 'harder drugs' the effects of drug abuse become more apparent. One of the most prevalent drugs of today is methamphetamine. The effects of drug abuse with this particular substance are very real and very dangerous. Methamphetamine can cause, stroke, heart failure and damage your lungs, kidneys and liver. It altars your mood and can cause aggressive behavior. There can be long term effects to abusing this drug such as chronic fatigue, paranoid or delusional thinking, and permanent psychological damage (called 'perma fry'). The effects of drug abuse with any type of stimulant have the same risks attached to them. The effects of drug abuse are not only harmful to the individual but have long reaching effects on our society also. Persons, who abuse drugs, whether it is anything from alcohol to prescription drugs to heroin, have a higher rate of absenteeism on their job. This can have an overall effect on production and other workers. The effects of drug abuse, the lessened inhibition or the need to feed the addiction, causes more violence, thefts and destruction of families. The effects of drug abuse clouds judgment and can cause heightened depression and suicidal behavior. This in turn can impact families, communities and society as a whole. The effects of drug abuse have caused an increase in health care costs and crowded emergency rooms with overdose happening more and more. There is nothing good to say about the effects of drug abuse, there are only negatives, both for the individual and for society. The 'one time only' thinking can kill you or lead you down a long destructive path. It's just not worth the risk. |