Health repercussions of taking drugs

Drugs are mainly chemical substances that when taken in the body, they change how the body works. They are taken in either through swallowing, injection or inhalation and make their way to the bloodstream where there are transported to different organs of the body. Drugs have several functions which include elimination of physical pain and intensifying or dulling of certain senses. As discussed in the article “The Deal on Substances” a drug can either be helpful or harmful in the body depending on the type of drug, the frequency at which it is taken and the period through which the drug is taken. Taking drugs for a long time and at higher frequencies leads to development of addiction causing health repercussion.

Alcohol is one of the most abused drugs in the world. Studies indicate that the use of alcohol over a long period of time causes serious and harmful effects on several body organs (Wntr, 2000). The most affected include the liver, skeletal muscles, cardiovascular system and the immune system. Most of the mechanisms involved in the long term effects of these systems are not well known, but research is being carried to better understand the mechanism. The effects of alcohol abuse are not felt when one starts drinking, they are cumulative and cause health repercussions in the long run. In addition to the health risk, people who abuse alcohol become dependent on it thus developing an addiction.

The saying “Too much of something is poisonous” is applicable to those who abuse marijuana. Its chronic use can cause serious health implications that include behavioural and psychological changes. Those using the drug will tend to claim that the effects have not caught up with them yet, but studies as well as the testimony of those living with a long term smoker tend to think otherwise (Stephenson, 2009). Frequent marijuana smokers are susceptible to chest colds, emphysema, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. Continuous use just like in the case of cigarette smokers is bound to damage the lungs and thus increasing the risk of cancer. Marijuana use also affects hormones especially in women and interferes with the immune system. Marijuana as a psychological drug affects the brain interfering with some of the major functions. As explored by Stephenson (2009), marijuana reduces learning ability, causes toxic psychosis in large doses, hallucinations and paranoia.

According to McHugh (2010), the effects of cocaine in the body is determined by a number of factors including the amount ingested, weight and height, past experiences with cocaine, the purity of the drug, general body health, the mood at the time of ingestion and whether or not the drug is taken in combination with other drugs. The long term effects of the use of cocaine range from addiction to personal problems that are caused by aggression. Other effects include regular nosebleeds and collapse of the nasal septum due to the snorting of a corrosive substance with the increased effects of both hepatitis C and B as well HIV (McHugh, 2010). Overdose of cocaine cause cardiovascular complications, breathing problems and finally death.

Finally, drugs change the functioning of the body in a negative or positive way depending on the type of drug and the time through which the drug is taken. Legal drugs are mainly used for medical purposes; that is to alleviate pain and suffering and prologue life. Just like illegal drugs, they have severe health implications when taken for a long period of time. The use and abuse of illegal drugs causes health repercussions which are not necessarily felt at the time when the drug is taken, but are noticeable over a long period of time.

References

McHugh, B. (2010). “Cocaine: Side Effects and Long term Effects.” Famillies.com. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://mental-health.families.com/blog/cocaine-side-effects-and-long-term-effects” http://mental-health.families.com/blog/cocaine-side-effects-and-long-term-effects

Stephenson, K. (2009). “Chronic Marijuana Use.” Suite101. August 30, 2009 Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.suite101.com/content/chronic-marijuana-use-a143922” http://www.suite101.com/content/chronic-marijuana-use-a143922

Wntr (2009). “Medical Consequences of Alcohol Abuse”. Health Publications. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CXH/is_1_24/ai_71359293/” http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CXH/is_1_24/ai_71359293/

“The Deal on Substances.” Teens Health. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/know_about_drugs.html” http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/know_about_drugs.html