What are the Physical Effects of Drug Abuse on Human Body

Although drug abuse results in mental health issues, taking drugs also show some physical effects on all parts of the human body. The physical effects of these drugs which are abused may be short term or may be long term but they are permanent. With the increase in the frequency of usage of drugs and also using the drugs for longer periods, worsen the physical effects on the body.

According to the National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA), the physical effects of drugs on the body depends on the drug used, the method of drug usage, and the frequency and duration. Drug addiction has physical effects on the vital organs of the body.

• Brain changes from drug abuse include paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, aggression, depression, seizures, stroke, brain damage etc. These are majorly caused by abusing cocain.
• Respiratory effects of drug abuse include emphysema, asthma and lung cancer and most of the respiratory problems are caused by inhalants which releases toxic chemicals in to the lungs.
• Drugs like methamphetamine can cause cardiac effects of drug abuse, which include abnormal heartbeat, collapsed veins and heart attack.
• Gastrointestinal effects of drug addiction includes nausea, pain in stomach, and liver and kidney damage.
• Physical effects caused by the drugs are permanent and not reversible. For example infertility caused by steroids and liver or kidney damage.
• Steroids may even cause hormonal imbalances in the body which may lead to men developing breasts and women growing facial and body hair like men.
• Drugs that act quickly on the brain may cause rapid loss of consciousness or death.

Drug addiction results in total destruction of body, leaving no chance to repair in most of the cases.