The Harmful Effects of Drugs and Alcohol
It should come as no surprise that drugs and alcohol can have negative effects on your life, and chances are you have already heard about some of the effects of misusing them. However, if you are misusing drugs and/or alcohol in any capacity, you are putting yourself at high risk for suffering significant damage to your body and brain. Being aware of the effects of drugs and alcohol can help encourage you to seek help before you possibly start experiencing them on a personal level.
How Drugs and Alcohol Affect Your Brain
The human brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and although it may only weigh around three pounds, it is powerful enough to control both your thoughts and the physiological processes that keep you alive.1 This is because the brain consists of intricate circuitry that controls the flow of information.2
When drugs and alcohol are consumed, they interfere with the brain’s ability to send, receive, and process information.2 Certain drugs can even cause the brain to release excess amounts of neurotransmitters (or “messengers”), which can further disrupt the brain’s ability to properly communicate and function.2
As a result, individuals can experience changes in mood, perception, and behavior, and even develop long-term complications due to their substance misuse. Notably, the continued, chronic misuse of drugs or alcohol can cause changes in the brain that drive a person to keep using, eventually leading to the development of full-blown addiction.3
Health Effects of Drugs and Alcohol
Drug and alcohol use impacts nearly every part of your body from your heart to your bowels. There are several effects that can occur, most of which depend on factors such as which substance is being used, whether it is being mixed with other substances, and how much of it is being consumed in total. Some of these effects can include:2,4,5
- Cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, and heart disease.
- Collapsed veins, infections in the heart valves, and skin infections due to injecting drugs.
- Kidney and liver damage as a result of chronic drug use.
- Increased risk of contracting STI’s through unprotected sex.
- Contracting bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV due to intravenous drug use and unprotected sex.
- Increased risk of contracting common colds and viruses (e.g., mono, flu, etc.) as a result of sharing equipment such as pipes, bongs, or even drinking alcohol from the same container.
- The development of certain cancers.
Additionally, the use of drugs and alcohol dramatically increases the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, which can lead to serious injuries, if not death. It also increases the risk for dying by suicide or homicide.
The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with Other Substances
Mixing alcohol with other substances is never safe and can be highly dangerous, as doing so increases the risk of overdose, which can be fatal.6 Additionally, certain combinations of drugs and alcohol can produce different outcomes, all of which can be unpredictable.6 Consider the following:
- Alcohol and marijuana – Mixing alcohol and marijuana can increase the effects of both substances, including confusion and anxiety.7,8
- Alcohol and hallucinogens – Using alcohol and hallucinogens like LSD can decrease the perceived effects of alcohol, causing a person to drink more alcohol, which increases overdose risk.9
- Alcohol and cocaine – Drinking alcohol while using cocaine can mask the effects of both substances, increasing the risk of overdose. Additionally, this co-use increases the risk of suffering cardiovascular problems, including death.6,10
- Alcohol and stimulants – Combining alcohol with stimulants can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and potentially cause liver damage, brain injury, heart attack, or stroke.6
- Alcohol and narcotics – The combination of narcotics (such as heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone) and alcohol increases the risk of overdose, as well as the possibility of respiratory complications.11,12
- Alcohol and depressants – Alcohol and depressants like benzodiazepines and barbiturates produce depressant effects. Therefore, the potential for experiencing dangerous effects increases when both are used at the same time, specifically the possibility of coma, respiratory depression, and even death.7
Legal Consequences
Drug and alcohol misuse not only has negative long-term effects on your health, but it can also lead to problems in other areas of your life. Many people who misuse drugs and alcohol find themselves facing legal consequences as a result of their use. Some common legal consequences often include receiving a DUI/DWI or being in possession of/having intent to sell illicit substances. A person may also face fines due to public intoxication or disorderly conduct, and potentially even jail time if the behavior is repetitive.
Many people can go years without facing legal issues, while some may experience it regularly. It is important to remember that the amount of legal consequences one has does not directly relate to the severity of their drug or alcohol misuse or addiction.
Financial Problems
Drugs and alcohol are expensive, especially when you’re using a lot and constantly. Substance misuse can also impacts your productivity and success at work and in school. The time spent searching for, using, and recuperating from drugs can be better spent learning new skills to advance your career, saving money for future endeavors, and so on.
Additionally, any legal issues tied to your substance misuse may increase your bills as well. For example, your car and health insurance rates may increase and you may have arrest warrants, DUIs, and legal counsel to pay for.
Who is Most at Risk?
There is always risk associated with misusing drugs and alcohol, however the risks are increased among certain populations, particularly women and the elderly.13
Women are at greater risk than men when consuming alcohol and drugs, as their bodies metabolize substances at rates different than men, causing them to experience stronger effects across shorter periods of time.13,14 Specifically, this occurs due to women’s bodies naturally digesting and filtering substances slower than men’s.14
Elderly individuals are also at increased risk of suffering the effects of drugs and alcohol than other members of the population.13 As the body ages, the ability to break down alcohol and other substances decreases, therefore alcohol and/or drugs remain in their system for longer periods of time.13 Back-to-back use of drugs or alcohol or accidentally consuming one or more medications that interact with drugs or alcohol (which many elderly patients are prescribed) can increase the risk of dangerous effects, including overdose.13
What to Do if You Think You Have a Substance Use Problem
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol misuse, help is available. You can take the next step and find rehabs near you using our search tool, which allows you to find treatment based on your unique needs.
You can also check your insurance coverage online now by filling out the form below.