How Drug and Alcohol Addiction Affects a Person
Alcohol and drug addiction can affect a person in many ways. It can affect their mental health, as some substances can alter a person’s brain chemistry so much that they may suffer from the symptoms of mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. Some people who can recover from drug or alcohol addiction can also be traumatised by their experience and may need therapy to cope.
Physically, many people who use drugs or alcohol can neglect taking care of themselves, and the substances can also affect their internal organs, such as the kidneys and liver. Many substances, especially stimulants, can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to long-term cardiovascular disease.
Socially, people who struggle with addiction may withdraw from friends and family and instead associate with people who share this addiction. This can lead to a destructive cycle where they enable each other’s addictive behaviours.
