Until recently, drug addiction was seen as a choice. However, scientists now understand that the chemical changes that occur in the body after addiction are more similar to those of a disease. ¹ These changes can have both short-term and long-term health complications. With that, the impact of drug addiction on the emotional and physical spheres is huge.

Effects of Drug Addiction

The effects of drug addiction vary on several factors, from how you take the drug (injection, inhalation, ingestion, etc.) to what your drug of choice is (opioids, stimulants, antidepressants, etc.). Still, most drugs have a similar effect on the brain.

Most notably, drugs cause an influx of dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for our emotions, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. ² It’s this large amount of dopamine that usually causes a “high” people associate with drug use.

Over time, the brain becomes accustomed to this overstimulation of dopamine and, without a particular drug, will cause addictive tendencies (i.e. cravings, compulsions, etc.). ³

It’s estimated that there are seven million people in the U.S. who struggle with a substance use disorder. One in four of all deaths can be attributed to illicit drug use. Furthermore, drug abuse leads to many illnesses and disabilities that can normally be prevented.

On Physical Health

The impact of drug addiction on physical health can be both short- and long-term. While these effects differ depending on the drug, the use of any substance is likely to take some kind of toll on your health. More particularly, your organs and their ability to perform.

Some of the most notable effects drugs have on physical health include: ⁴

• Abdominal pains and nausea (may lead to appetite and weight changes)
• Brain damage, mental confusion, stroke, seizures
• Heart conditions (such as increased risk of heart attack or abnormal heart rates)
• Increase in body temperature
• Liver problems
• Lung disease
• Weakened immune system (leading to risks of infection and illness)

Beyond unwanted health complications, certain substances can cause an overdose that may lead to death. One study found that within 12 months, 169,000 people aged 12 or older tried heroin for the first time. Within that timeframe, 90 Americans died daily due to opioid overdoses. ⁵

On Emotional Health

While various drugs impact the brain differently, all drugs have an effect on the “reward” circuit. As part of the limbic system, this brain area is responsible for instinct and mood. Most notably, drugs will flood the brain with dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for emotional regulation and feelings of pleasure.

When someone first tries a substance, the act is likely voluntary. However, over time, the drug will change brain chemistry. More specifically, how the brain performs and interacts with a person’s decision-making. ⁶

Due to the influx of dopamine, the brain becomes accustomed to this level of “reward.” In turn, without the drug, the brain has trouble reproducing an adequate level of dopamine. This will lead to various characteristics of drug addiction, such as intense cravings and compulsive behaviors.

The impact of drug addiction on emotional health varies greatly from drug to drug. For example:

• Alcohol will disrupt brain communication and influence mood, behavior, and other cognitive functions. ⁷

• Cocaine affects the way we handle stress. Stress-related disorders can cause relapse. ⁸

• Long-term cannabis use has been found to cause problems with memory and learning tasks. ⁹

• Opioids directly attach to opioid receptors in the brain and inhibit the body’s ability to produce endogenous opioids (which are responsible for pleasure and pain relief). ¹⁰

On Behavioral Health

Since drug addiction affects our emotions, it also directly impacts our behavioral health. Some common traits in those who struggle with addiction include: ¹¹

• Aggressiveness
• Dependence on substance
• Hallucinations
• Impaired judgment
• Impulsivity
• Loss of self-control
• Paranoia

If you struggle with behavioral health, this is likely to affect your daily life. For example, you may miss work or other responsibilities more frequently than others.

However, the most concerning aspect of drug abuse on behavioral health is the fact that it can lead to life-threatening conduct. This includes domestic violence, driving while intoxicated, and property damage.

It’s estimated that 80% of all crimes in the U.S. are committed while under the influence. Furthermore, 13.7% of motor vehicle crashes are directly linked to drug use not including alcohol. ¹²

On Unborn Babies

If you’re pregnant, drug use can have a very harmful effect on your unborn child, such as a premature birth or a low birth rate. Furthermore, pregnant women who use drugs are more likely to participate in risky behaviors and take less care of their bodies which may cause other harm to your child. ¹³

Women in such circumstances should be cautious. While it may seem like quitting drug use is the best option, sudden quitting could lead to serious withdrawal symptoms which can have further negative effects. For this reason, it’s vital to speak to a doctor if you struggle with addiction and are pregnant.

Final Word

While the impact of drug addiction on emotional and physical spheres can be fatal, it is possible to overcome addiction. There are several treatment facilities across the country, each of which provides you with the steps required to beat substance abuse for good.

References

¹ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov. CHAPTER 2, THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE USE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424849/

² Walton ME, Bouret S. What Is the Relationship between Dopamine and Effort? Trends Neurosci. 2019 Feb;42(2):79-91. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.10.001. Epub 2018 Oct 24. PMID: 30391016; PMCID: PMC6352317.

³ Bromberg-Martin ES, Matsumoto M, Hikosaka O. Dopamine in motivational control: rewarding, aversive, and alerting. Neuron. 2010 Dec 9;68(5):815-34. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.11.022. PMID: 21144997; PMCID: PMC3032992.

⁴ Ciucă Anghel DM, Nițescu GV, Tiron AT, Guțu CM, Baconi DL. Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse. Molecules. 2023 Jun 24;28(13):4969. doi: 10.3390/molecules28134969. PMID: 37446631; PMCID: PMC10343642.

⁵ Lipari RN, Hughes A. Trends in Heroin Use in the United States: 2002 to 2013. 2015 Apr 23. In: The CBHSQ Report. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2013-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK343534/

⁶ MacNicol B. The biology of addiction. Can J Anaesth. 2017 Feb;64(2):141-148. English. doi: 10.1007/s12630-016-0771-2. Epub 2016 Nov 11. PMID: 27837404.

⁷ Varghese J, Dakhode S. Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Various Systems of the Human Body: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 8;14(10):e30057. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30057. PMID: 36381944; PMCID: PMC9637453.

⁸ Nestler EJ. The neurobiology of cocaine addiction. Sci Pract Perspect. 2005 Dec;3(1):4-10. doi: 10.1151/spp05314. PMID: 18552739; PMCID: PMC2851032.

⁹ Karila L, Roux P, Rolland B, Benyamina A, Reynaud M, Aubin HJ, Lançon C. Acute and long-term effects of cannabis use: a review. Curr Pharm Des. 2014;20(25):4112-8. doi: 10.2174/13816128113199990620. PMID: 24001294.

¹⁰ Kosten TR, George TP. The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment. Sci Pract Perspect. 2002 Jul;1(1):13-20. doi: 10.1151/spp021113. PMID: 18567959; PMCID: PMC2851054.

¹¹ Stellern J, Xiao KB, Grennell E, Sanches M, Gowin JL, Sloan ME. Emotion regulation in substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction. 2023 Jan;118(1):30-47. doi: 10.1111/add.16001. Epub 2022 Aug 11. PMID: 35851975; PMCID: PMC10087816.

¹² Li G, Brady JE, Chen Q. Drug use and fatal motor vehicle crashes: a case-control study. Accid Anal Prev. 2013 Nov;60:205-10. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2013.09.001. Epub 2013 Sep 8. PMID: 24076302.

¹³ Forray A. Substance use during pregnancy. F1000Res. 2016 May 13;5:F1000 Faculty Rev-887. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.7645.1. PMID: 27239283; PMCID: PMC4870985.