Ultimately, drug addiction is a very complicated illness, despite the fact that it is one of the easiest mental problems to prevent. As you are reading this article, consider that 1 out of 7 people suffer from this disorder, and only 10% of these victims will make an effort to seek help for their condition. As an unfortunate result of this dangerous attempt at self-help, people will suffer from severe health problems and (in the worst-case scenario) die. (In fact, 115 people die from opioid-related accidents on a daily basis.) While you might be familiar with run-of-the-mill side effects of addiction (erratic behavior, anger, and pain), some health concerns many have slipped your mind. Let’s take a closer look at some side effects of drug addiction you might not know about.
Bizarre Psychological Effects
More often than not, we focus on the physical side effects of drug abuse and addiction, but did you know that people can suffer from a string of bizarre psychological effects, too? Even more interesting (and somewhat relieving), you can catch these side effects before the physical problems start to set in. Here are some examples:
- Severe bouts of depression
- Severe anxiety and feelings of loneliness
- Vivid hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Sudden contemplation of suicide
Physical Issues
Although we are greatly familiar with many physical side effects of drug addiction, we must also keep in mind that some truly bizarre health emergencies are linked to this problem. In fact, what appears to be a singular health issue could actually be a direct cause of addiction. For example:
- Long-term crystal meth users suffer from “meth mouth,” a condition where their teeth start to decay and fall out of their gums.
- Heroin users suffer from extensive skin and muscle damage due to overusing needles.
- Opioid addicts can suffer from severe bouts of constipation that can result in death.
Once you, your friend, or your loved one takes the first steps toward healing, you can easily prevent these symptoms from taking root.
Seeking Treatment for Drug Abuse and Addiction
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
