what are the consequences of drug use?

Answer 1

- impaired judgment (both long term and short term)
- impaired motor functioning, slower response time (this has serious implications when driving)
- impaired brain functioning
- dependence, increased need for drugs, increased need for higher dosage
- financial strains (money goes to drugs not where needed)
- breaks up relationships and families
- because of impaired judgment and need for drug causes increase in criminal activity
- decreased work and/or school performance
- family members learn drug habits
- drug related deaths
- spread of HIV
- decreased physical health
- possibility of increased mental health problems

Answer 2

I have yet to find a self actualized drug user. someone who can tell me that if they can turn back time, they will still start using drugs because it made them a better person and gave them a better life. I've come to know some people that use drugs and some friends that might be using them and i dont judge them in anyway but i really haven't seen good consequence for drug use.

Answer 3

Some consequences of drugs that are medically indicated and prescribed by a physician are: relief from pain; cures for diseases; diminishing symptoms from diseases; halting progression of disease; and prevention of diseases.

These all add up to improved quality of life, a return to work and family, and increased longevity. You've already seen the answers from people who assume you are talking about street drugs (recreational), but let us not forget that almost all drugs were created for the benefit of mankind. It is man that misuses them. Properly placed in our lives, they are a boon.

Answer 4

umm..death?! you get really stupid & then drop out of high school & cant get a decent job & have no life & die

Answer 5

Consequences of Drug Use

Substance use and abuse can result in the poor school performance, health problems (including addiction), accidents, unplanned behavior, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society.

School Performance

Chronic drug abusers often experience an array of problems at school including declining grades, absenteeism, increased drop-out rates, and withdrawal from healthy extracurricular activities. Cognitive and behavioral problems experienced by drug-users can interfere not only with their academic performance, but also present obstacles to learning for their classmates.

Health Risks

Drug abuse can adversely affect every major system in the human body.

Behavioral and psychological. A single episode with a drug or chronic use can change a person's behavior significantly. Under the influence, school performance can decline, accidents, violence and other unplanned activities can occur. Abuse can also progress to addiction, a persistent uncontrollable compulsion to use a drug(s), loss of control over drug use, reducing life-sustaining activities and social pursuits, health and other adverse consequences. Cocaine, marijuana, opioids like heroin, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and many other drugs are addictive. No one starts using drugs to become addicted, but once addicted, a brain disease sets in. The addicted person looses control, judgment and when the drug is withdrawn, may suffer severe psychological or physical symptoms. These range from anxiety, irritability, unhappiness, stress and others. Withdrawal from certain drugs can also result in severe physical discomfort, such as tremors, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, bone pain, and even seizures. Long term users of certain drugs may experience pervasive changes in brain function. For example, prolonged exposure to ecstasy can lead to deficits in memory, increased depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Brain chemistry. Repeated and chronic use of addictive drugs results in brain changes of unknown reversibility. Drugs can reduce energy use in the brain, change gene function, brain signals, the shape of brain cells, brain networks, and activity in specific brain regions. Some drugs are frankly toxic to the brain. Cocaine promotes spasm of blood vessels resulting in reduced blood flow in human brain. Frequent exposure to amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy produce toxicity and damage to specific brain cells. Heavy alcohol or inhalant use (e.g. toluene) can produce profound irreversible toxic effects and shrinkage of brain grey matter.

Body. Specific drugs can affect a specific organs in the body. Research has shown a connection between stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine) and harmful effects on heart and blood vessels. Smoking marijuana can lead to harmful effects on lungs and other organs. Chronic use of certain drugs, such as steroids, may lead to significant damage to the hormone system, fertility, the liver and heart and even personality changes. Use of methamphetamine can produce significant damage to specific cells in the brain and personality changes that impact all aspects of daily life. Ecstasy can also lead to damaged brain cells and loss of grey matter in the brain. Many drugs cause brain changes that can lead to problems with memory, attention and decision-making.

Addiction Potential

Research is increasingly showing that exposure to drugs during adolescence has important consequences for future drug use and behavior. Excess risk of cannabis dependence was found for those with cannabis use before late-adolescence. Marijuana use during adolescence leads to 2-6 times higher use of other drugs during adulthood. Early-onset cannabis use and subsequent is associated with higher odds double the rates of suicide attempts. Youth who used inhalants prior to age 14 were twice as likely to initiate opioid use, as compared to those who had never tried. Early-onset cannabis users exhibit poorer higher brain function than late-onset users.

Accidents and other consequences

Drugged driving, or driving while under the abuse of drugs, can impair motor function, concentration, and perception and thereby increase the likelihood of road accidents. Moreover, effects of drug use can last up to 24 hours after administration. Monitoring the Future data shows that approximately one in six (15%) teens reported driving under the influence of marijuana, a number nearly equivalent to those who reported driving under the influence of alcohol (16%). Youth identified with substance problems are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors during adolescence and to continue risky sexual behaviors to the extent that substance problems persist