Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction on Your Health and Fitness

Different drugs affect the body in different ways and its effects can also vary from one person to the next. The effects of drugs on a person are also dependent on a number of factors including body size, health, age, and the amount of drug taken, as well as any other drugs already present in the system. It also helps to remember that illegal substance is not under any regulations or standards and therefore can vary from batch to batch.

Overview of Drug and its Effects

The effects of drugs can be classified between short-term and long-term effects. It can affect the body physically and psychologically. And depending on the drug, the body can develop a dependence on the drug. Many who are under the influence of drugs, especially those known for their potency, have no control over what they think and how they act which is why illegal drugs are especially dangerous.

Many people have caused harm to themselves and to others while they’re under the influence of drugs. Others have this notion that drugs will affect them differently, seeing as they are only casual users but the more a drug is taken, the more the body will build up a tolerance to its effects leading many to increase the dosage to feel the same effects. Prolonged use of drugs can lead to dependence and it is at this point that the substance begins to take a toll on the body, causing psychological and physiological damage.

It’s also important to point out that the effects of drugs extend to the people closest to the victim, friends, and family. Common consequences of addiction include losing one’s job and a breakdown of their social life. treatment centers

Remember that there are no safe levels when it comes to drug us. Think long and hard before you go down that dark path and think of all that you might lose.

Types of Drugs and their Effects

1. Depressants

As its name suggests, depressants are substances that depress the function of the nervous system. People who take such substances experience slow reaction time as it takes longer for stimuli to register to the brain. In small amounts, depressants cause people to feel calm and relaxed. But when consumed in large amounts, they can lead to vomiting, losing consciousness, and even death. Examples of depressants include alcohol, marijuana, opiates such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, and benzodiazepines, often referred to as minor tranquilizers.

2. Hallucinogens

These are substances that distort the perception of those who take it. They may experience reality in a different way; often seeing or hearing things that are not really there. It can also lead to a distorted perception of reality. Other effects of hallucinogens include psychological and emotional euphoria, paranoia, panic, and nausea. LSD, ketamine, PCP, and magic mushrooms are some examples of hallucinogens.

3. Stimulants

Also referred to as speed, the substances, under the category of stimulants increase the activity of the nervous system. They increase the delivery of messages to the brain making one feel alert, confident, and full of energy. Effects of stimulants in the body include an increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, and elevated temperature. Other effects include reduced appetite, sleeplessness, and agitation. When consumed in large doses, it can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and paranoia. Examples include caffeine, amphetamines, nicotine, cocaine, and ecstasy.

Effects of Common Drugs to Health and Fitness

1. Cannabis

Otherwise known as marijuana or weed, cannabis has been making a lot of news lately. Several states in the United States have lifted their ban on the plant and Canada is the latest country to legalize it nationwide. Cannabis can produce calming and relaxing effects but it has the potential to be abused, like any other substance. Many have linked the long-term use of marijuana to the development of schizophrenia. When it is smoked, it can cause asthma, as well as increase the risk of developing cancer to the smoker. And while their cannabis has no physiological dependence, the risk of psychological dependence is a possibility.

2. Cocaine

Referred to as coke or crack, cocaine is a white powdery substance and is deemed to be very powerful stimulants. Other forms of cocaine-like freebase and crack can be smoked while the powder stuff is snorted. Taking a large dose of cocaine can result in death due to overdose due to the heart and the nervous system being overstimulated and overwhelmed by the drug. And because the drug is a stimulant, it suppresses appetite on the individual leading many cocaine users to lose significant weight and become malnourished.

3. Heroin

Heroin comes from the opium poppy, a flower that grows in Mexico, South America, and Asia. Heroin is extremely addictive and is a major problem in many countries. Using it just a few times is enough to get someone addicted to the drug. Immediately after taking heroin, the person feels a sense of extreme euphoria that many find hard to describe. They experience slowed perception because signals take a long time to reach the brain. The immediate effects of heroin are nausea and vomiting. In large doses, it can slow the heart enough that it stops functioning. But the real threat of heroin is it blocks the signal from the brain leading to the cessation of several body functions including breathing.

Addiction Treatment

Addiction and drug dependence can be treated but it requires a long time and a lot of effort not just from the addict. The first step is getting into a Drug Rehab Centers in London to begin the process of rehabilitation. In here, recovering addicts are guided in exploring the main reason why they turn to drugs. They are forced to face their demons and then taught of several coping mechanisms that don’t require them to get high.

There is no cure for addiction, per se, but it can be managed. Through treatment from alcohol rehabilitation centers, recovering addicts are given the tools and help to counteract their disruptive behavior and help them regain control over their lives.

AuthorBio:

Sarah Brooks is an avid blogger. She writes about a variety of topics including health, science, and literature. She is currently working with TheBeachesTreatmentCenter, a fully accredited & licensed Drug Rehab Center.