Most have us have heard that too much drinking is bad for the liver, but both drugs and alcohol can have a negative effect on the entire body. Depending on the substance and the length of use, there are cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory effects. Short term, drug use can cause changes in your heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In those who have used longer, there is a risk of heart and lung disease, hepatitis, and even cancer.
Drug use often leads to risky behaviors. Being drunk or high impairs judgment and logical thinking, making it more likely to have unprotected sex. This puts you at risk for HIV and other infectious diseases. Injecting drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine accounts for about 12 percent of new AIDS cases, and is also a major factor in the spread of hepatitis C, a potentially fatal liver disease. Without treatment, hepatitis can turn into cirrhosis and then a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver cancer causes more than 20,000 deaths each year in the US alone. Used needles may still have infected blood on them, and in the case of HIV, it can remain transmissible for up to 42 days. Those who already have HIV and continue their substance abuse often worsen the disease, because drugs and alcohol damage the already weakened immune system. Being drunk or high can also make it difficult to remember to take daily medications.
Several different types of cancers have been linked to alcohol in particular. Drinking can cause cancer of the throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, and colon. Alcohol is also the primary cause of liver cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer is as high as 12% when a woman consumes just one drink a day. One reason for this is that cells that are damaged by the alcohol try to repair themselves, which leads to changes in the DNA that can cause cancer. As a result, the American Cancer Society recommends that people who drink alcohol limit their intake to two drinks per day for men and one drink a day for women.
Alcohol isn’t the only substance with a link the health problems. Prolonged use of opiods can cause mental disorders, hormonal imbalances, and weakening of the immune system. Opiods can damage the parts of the brain that control emotions, leading to severe depression, anxiety, and anger problems. A hormonal imbalance in women can cause anything from low sex drive to birth defects. A poor immune system opens the door for HIV, hepatitis, and cancer. Cocaine use can cause permanent damage to the lungs and heart. Long-term users often develop pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid gathers in the lungs as a result of inhaling smoke. Snorting cocaine or other inhaled drugs can erode the tissue of the nose, leading to infections that may spread to other parts of the body.
At Asana Recovery, we can provide you with trained medical professionals who understand the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body. Our approach considers both the biological and mental factors, so we can formulate a plan and manage any medication you may need. Contact us now at (949) 438-4504 and begin your road to a long, healthy future.
