Drugs are chemicals.
Different drugs, because of their chemical structures, can affect the body in
different ways. In fact, some drugs can even change a person’s body and brain
in ways that last long after the person has stopped taking drugs, maybe even
permanently. Depending on the drug, it can enter the human body in a number of
ways, including injection, inhalation, and ingestion. The method of how it
enters the body impacts on how the drug affects the person. For example:
injection takes the drug directly into the blood stream, providing more
immediate effects; while ingestion requires the drug to pass through the
digestive system, delaying the effects (McCrystal, Higgins and Percy, 2014).
Different drugs, because of their chemical structures, can affect the body in
different ways. In fact, some drugs can even change a person’s body and brain
in ways that last long after the person has stopped taking drugs, maybe even
permanently. Depending on the drug, it can enter the human body in a number of
ways, including injection, inhalation, and ingestion. The method of how it
enters the body impacts on how the drug affects the person. For example:
injection takes the drug directly into the blood stream, providing more
immediate effects; while ingestion requires the drug to pass through the
digestive system, delaying the effects (McCrystal, Higgins and Percy, 2014).
Some of the effects of drug
abuse as stated by Igwe and Ojinnaka (2010) include:
abuse as stated by Igwe and Ojinnaka (2010) include:
i.
Injuries:
More deaths, illnesses and
disabilities stem from substance abuse than from any other preventable health
condition. Today, one in four deaths is attributable to illicit drug use.
People who live with substance dependence have a higher risk of all bad
outcomes including unintentional injuries, accidents, risk of domestic violence,
medical problems, and death.
ii.
Health problems:
The impact of drug abuse
and dependence can be far-reaching, affecting almost every organ in the human
body. Drug use can:
·
Weaken
the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
Weaken
the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
·
Cause
cardiovascular conditions ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attacks.
Injected drugs can also lead to collapsed veins and infections of the blood
vessels and heart valves.
Cause
cardiovascular conditions ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attacks.
Injected drugs can also lead to collapsed veins and infections of the blood
vessels and heart valves.
·
Cause
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Cause
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
·
Cause the
liver to have to work harder, possibly causing significant damage or liver
failure.
Cause the
liver to have to work harder, possibly causing significant damage or liver
failure.
·
Cause
seizures, stroke and widespread brain damage that can impact all aspects of
daily life by causing problems with memory, attention and decision-making,
including sustained mental confusion and permanent brain damage.
Cause
seizures, stroke and widespread brain damage that can impact all aspects of
daily life by causing problems with memory, attention and decision-making,
including sustained mental confusion and permanent brain damage.
·
Produce
global body changes such as breast development in men, dramatic fluctuations in
appetite and increases in body temperature, which may impact a variety of
health conditions.
Produce
global body changes such as breast development in men, dramatic fluctuations in
appetite and increases in body temperature, which may impact a variety of
health conditions.
iii. Effects on the brain: Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs have
been shown to alter brain chemistry, which interferes with an individual’s
ability to make decisions and can lead to compulsive craving, seeking and use.
This then becomes a substance dependency.
been shown to alter brain chemistry, which interferes with an individual’s
ability to make decisions and can lead to compulsive craving, seeking and use.
This then becomes a substance dependency.
- All drugs of abuse such nicotine, cocaine,
marijuana, and others effect the
brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system. - Drugs hijack this
“reward” system, causing unusually large amounts of dopamine to
flood the system. - This
flood of dopamine is what causes the “high” or euphoria
associated with drug abuse.
iv. Behavioural problems: Behavioural problems
associated with drug abuse are:
associated with drug abuse are:
- Paranoia
- Aggressiveness
- Hallucinations
- Addiction
- Impaired judgment
- Impulsiveness
- Loss of self-control
i.
Birth defects:
Drug
abuse may pose various risks for
pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be
born too small or too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth defects or
learning and behavioural problems. Additionally, illicit drugs may be prepared
with impurities that may be harmful to a pregnancy. Finally, pregnant women who
use illicit drugs may engage in other unhealthy behaviours that place their
pregnancy at risk, such as having extremely poor nutrition or developing
sexually transmitted infections.
Birth defects:
Drug
abuse may pose various risks for
pregnant women and their babies. Some of these drugs can cause a baby to be
born too small or too soon, or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth defects or
learning and behavioural problems. Additionally, illicit drugs may be prepared
with impurities that may be harmful to a pregnancy. Finally, pregnant women who
use illicit drugs may engage in other unhealthy behaviours that place their
pregnancy at risk, such as having extremely poor nutrition or developing
sexually transmitted infections.
