Types and Effects of Psychoactive Drugs - Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Immediate Adverse Effects:

Reckless behaviour, vandalism, and violence

Excessive doses may lead to coma and death due to:

• Respiratory failure
• Heart failure
• Cerebral haemorrhage

A combination of drugs with alcohol generally results in overdosing and death

Long-Term Effects:

• Chronic use damages the nervous system and liver (cirrhosis)
• Use during pregnancy has adverse effects on the foetus
• Alcohol use in adolescence may lead to heavy drinking in adulthood
• Long-term alcohol abuse in adolescence can also cause loss of balance and pancreatitis

Risk of Infectious Diseases:

Those who take drugs intravenously (injected directly into the vein using a needle and syringe) are at high risk of acquiring:

• AIDS - HIV is transmitted through the sharing of infected needles and syringes; also be transmitted to a life partner through sexual contact
• Hepatitis B - transmitted through sharing of infected needles/syringes and through infected blood

Behavioural and Social Effects:

Warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse in youth:

• Drop in academic performance
• Unexplained absence from school or college
• Lack of interest in personal hygiene
• Withdrawal and isolation from friends and family
• Depression and fatigue
• Aggressive and rebellious behaviour
• Deteriorating relationships with family and friends
• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Changes in sleeping and eating habits
• Fluctuations in weight and appetite

Social consequences:

• If unable to obtain money for drugs/alcohol, the abuser may resort to stealing
• Causes mental and financial distress to family and friends

• Immediate adverse effects include reckless behaviour, violence, and life-threatening conditions such as respiratory failure, heart failure, or cerebral haemorrhage due to overdose.
• Long-term use leads to chronic damage to the liver (cirrhosis) and nervous system, affects fetal development, and can cause pancreatitis or loss of balance in adolescents.
• Intravenous drug abuse involving shared needles carries a high risk of transmitting serious infections, specifically AIDS and Hepatitis B.
• Behavioural and social consequences include academic decline, isolation, aggression, and potential criminal behaviour like stealing to fund the addiction, causing distress to family and friends.