Drug Side Effects
Any way you look at it, drugs are chemicals. Putting these into your body causes uncomfortable side effects. It doesn’t matter if they’re illegal or prescription, drug side effects can significantly harm the body.
How Drug Side Effects Hurt the Brain
Most drugs purposely alter the brain’s chemical balance. For example, prescription painkillers change brain chemistry in order to block pain.
However, changing the chemical balance causes many unwanted side effects. The development of an addiction could be one of them. Unfortunately, this is caused by uneven levels of neurotransmitters.
Increase in Dopamine
Most drugs increase the release of dopamine into the brain. The brain uses dopamine to trigger a reward response. Then, it starts to associate drugs with the reward.
Increasing dopamine production causes other unwanted side effects. The neurotransmitter is in multiple areas of the brain that control specific functions including:
- Motivation
- Pleasure
- Cognition
- Movement
Increased levels of dopamine compromise how the brain handles certain functions. The end result is an inability to handle normal cognitive processes.
Opens the Door to Other Mental Disorders
Using drugs can lead to addiction, which is a mental disorder. Studies show once the brain develops one mental disorder, it’s easier to develop more. As a result, drugs open the door to the development of other serious mental disorders.
The most common mental disorders that occur after addiction are anxiety and depression. Additionally, people with underlying psychological issues are more prone to developing an addiction.
Health Problems
Beyond mental problems, drugs can cause other health complications. Some of these drug side effects are immediately evident. Others, however, show up later in life.
For example, drugs can weaken the immune system. This makes the body more susceptible to disease and infection.
Drugs also affect the cardiovascular system. Over time, people can develop abnormal heart rates that increase the likelihood of heart attack later in life. Collapsed veins and blood infections are also common complications.
Let 1st Step Behavioral Health Put You on the Path to Being Drug-Free
At 1st Step Behavioral Health, your needs are our priority. Our goal is to help you reach sobriety and stay that way. Above all, our aim is your recovery. We like to dig in and get to the root cause of your addiction.
We provide a number of drug addiction treatment programs. Some of these include:
- Residential treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Holistic therapies
- Relapse prevention
- Talk therapy
At 1st Step Behavioral Health, our objective is to give all clients necessary individual attention. In terms of therapy, we offer individual counseling and strongly encourage family members to attend sessions.
In addition, we treat several drug addictions, including heroin and alcohol abuse. We strive to teach our clients life skills so they’re ready for the real world after recovery. For example, these include understanding independent shopping and time management.
Don’t let your addiction control your life. Learn what it takes to overcome it at 1st Step Behavioral Health. Call us at (855) 425-4846 for more information about our programs and services.
Take the First Step Today
We can help you get better. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.
