Health Consequences of Abusing Drugs
Physical Consequences
A person who uses drugs may experience an overdose, which is an often-deadly reaction to a large amount of a drug. Addiction to a drug often causes many health risks, including a gradual deterioration of the body and the mind, making a person susceptible to diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS along with early death.
Mental/Emotional Consequences
Drugs cloud reasoning and thinking. Users lose control of healthy behaviors and often lose sight of their values.
Social Consequences
Drug users often do and say things they later regret. Teens may be expelled from school or arrested for using. In addition, drug use may alienate a person from friends, family, and positive mentors.
Why Use Drugs?
Why do people use drugs? Teens expect to become independent and responsible. Along that line, they have more stress put upon them and there is greater risk of abusing drugs during this time period. Using drugs the first time makes a person feel good. With time and continual use, you don't feel normal without the drugs. There is brain change after continued use, which leads to addiction. The consequences of addiction are not worth the risks.
Common Reasons for Drug Use
- Experimentation
- Curiosity
- Escape – stress, anger, frustration
- Risk takers, thrill seekers
- Peer pressure – direct/indirect
- Glamorized by media
