Substance abuse and dependence are clearly related to several negative health effects which can cause a life of illness or even death. While drug and alcohol rehabilitation can help reverse some of the negative effects and enhance the individual’s overall health and well-being with time, substance abuse causes immense damage to the body’s vital organs. There are a huge selection of drugs abused and every one of these substances will have varying effects on the body.

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Although these medications will also affect each person differently, here are seven of the most common chronic illnesses which have been linked to substance abuse and dependence. Most substances, including heroin, cocaine, steroids, marijuana, and tobacco (among many others) can cause irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system. The veins, arteries, and heart are affected by the use of drugs and alcohol and substance abuse often causes abnormal heart rate, collapsed veins, and disease of the vessels and heart valves.

Cardiovascular disease and heart attack may also lead to death if the excessive use of addictive substances isn’t properly addressed within a drug and alcohol rehabilitation setting. Commonly abused drugs such as tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, cocaine, prescription opiates, and ketamine are simply a couple of the substances that may cause respiratory difficulties when smoked.

Susbstance Abuse

Individuals who abuse these substances over an extended time period may develop issues within the respiratory tract, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Mental illness and substance abuse often occur concurrently. In many instances, those who suffer from addiction have mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or personality disorders. While psychological disorders can be both a cause and a consequence of drug use, the two issues have to be treated individually during drug rehab to satisfactorily address all aspects of the substance abuse and/or dependence.

Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C are often due to common or infected needles, a weakened immune system, or unprotected intercourse. These diseases are generally connected to the misuse of heroin, cocaine, steroids, methamphetamine, and prescription opioids. Getting the correct substance abuse treatment in a rehabilitation center can help stop the spread of these infectious diseases. It’s a well-known truth that tobacco smoke causes cancer of the lungs, throat, mouth, larynx, stomach, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and cervix, but many other addictive substances also have been linked to cancer also.

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Consistent use of substances like steroids, alcohol, and synthetic drugs also have been linked to cancers of many important bodily organs, including the pancreas, breasts, stomach, and liver. Abuse of amphetamines like Adderall can lead to skin diseases like dermatosis. Injecting illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin can also cause skin and soft tissue infections.

This typically happens when an individual uses non-sterile needles, injects dangerous oral bacteria to the body following cleaning needles with saliva, or injects a medication directly beneath the skin instead of into a vein (also called skin popping). Long-term use of any addictive substance like alcohol or illegal drugs may cause dependence, which is defined as a chronic illness.

Conclusion

While there are lots of factors that play a part in the progression of dependence, consistent use of alcohol and drugs modifies how in which the brain’s neurons send, receive, and process information. Because of this, overcoming addiction is more than just an problem of willpower. Addiction is a disease that has to be treated with evidence-based clinical therapies and healthcare clinics within a supportive environment like a rehab center.