Abuse of drugs and alcohol is known to have an effect on almost every organ in the body. Several variables affect how severe an impact they have. The extent to which side effects of use are felt depends on a variety of circumstances, including the quantity and potency of the substance consumed. One person’s experience may differ significantly from another’s due to variances in body type, overall health, and other biological factors. If you are facing symptoms of addition then you must look for laguna beach rehab.
Numerous bodily conditions and problems could arise as a result of drug or alcohol abuse. Some organs are more severely affected than others depending on the chemical used and how it is ingested. Even occasional drug usage might have negative short- and long-term repercussions due to substance misuse. Teenagers’ developing brains, particularly the frontal lobes that aid in impulse control and risk assessment, make them more susceptible to addiction. Adolescent brains’ overactive pleasure circuits make using drugs and alcohol even more pleasurable and alluring.
Regardless of the substance taken, substance misuse has a significant negative effect on the brain. Alcohol and drugs prevent the brain from functioning normally. They have the power to change the way you speak, act, or think. The brain’s reward system and way of connecting with the body are taken over by substances, causing it to put continuing substance usage ahead of everything else. Drugs and alcohol can have a significant impact on other organs in the body in addition to how the brain functions. Before a substance’s effects wear off, it must first be digested and move through the majority of the system.
Heart and cardiovascular system
The heart and cardiovascular system are among the body parts that are most frequently affected, along with the brain. Even if a person had no prior heart-related concerns, substance addiction might develop heart malfunction. Common adverse effects of substance addiction include changes in blood pressure, irregular pulse, heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, particularly when a significant amount of the substance has been consumed.
The Brain and Addiction
An essential part of the human body is the brain. The brain adjusts to external changes and enables us to learn, develop memories, and deal with unpleasant emotions. However, addiction to drugs or alcohol can significantly alter how the brain works.
Addiction effects first manifest in the brain before spreading to the body, though the addicted brain undergoes both chemical and physiological alterations. Alcohol initially impacts the part of the brain that governs judgment and thinking, then it moves on to the Cerebellum, which is in charge of balance and coordination, and last it impacts the Hypothalamus, which controls emotions, pain, appetite, and body temperature. These are just three of the many areas that are impacted.
The respiratory system includes the lungs
Even if the substance is not smoked, drinking alcohol or using narcotics might have respiratory problems as a secondary effect. Many chemicals have the potential to make someone have breathing problems, which in some situations may result in respiratory arrest.
Other organs
Almost every organ in the body is susceptible to the effects of drugs and alcohol. Abuse frequently causes harm to the liver and kidneys, which could lead to failure. Additionally, it’s not unusual for persons who abuse drugs and alcohol to experience problems with their nervous system, digestive system, and other body systems as a result of continued consumption.
Final thoughts
Addicts are unable to regulate their behavior. They will do anything to obtain drugs, alcohol, or other substances, including jeopardizing their friendships, families, or careers. Researchers supported by the NIH are attempting to understand the biology of addiction. They have demonstrated that addiction is a serious and pervasive brain condition, and that people can manage their addictions with the use of existing therapies. But even for individuals who have been able to stop using, there is still a chance of relapsing, often known as relapsing disorder.
A healthy brain rewards positive actions, such as getting exercise, eating well, or spending time with loved ones. It accomplishes this by activating brain circuits that make you feel great and therefore inspire you to repeat those activities. A healthy brain, on the other hand, encourages your body to respond swiftly in times of danger by feeling dread or alarm so that you can escape harm’s way. The frontal lobes of your brain can assist you in determining whether the repercussions of your choices outweigh the temptation, such as when you’re tempted to buy something you can’t afford or eat ice cream before dinner.
