Health Consequences of Recreational Drug Use

Recreational drugs are obviously not good for your health; there is no disputing this fact. Addiction is an increasingly common problem in society and addiction to recreational drugs is on the increase.

While someone is addicted, they are not likely to be overly concerned with the effects these drugs are having on their health. However, we receive a large amount of emails from people who have overcome their addiction and want to know how to repair their health. The effects of any drug vary from person to person; they are largely dependant on an individual’s health, size and body weight, how much of the drug is taken, how long it is used for and if other drugs are also taken at the same time.

Obviously all recreational drugs must be processed by the liver and they place an enormous amount of strain on this vital organ. Therefore liver cleansing and the use of liver tonics is the most important strategy when restoring your health. However, each recreational drug also has specific effects on other organs and body systems. The specific health consequences of recreational drugs are described below:

�?Amphetamines (Speed)

Amphetamines are stimulants; they speed up all body functions, therefore result in increased heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. They can be taken as tablets, injected, snorted through the nose or smoked. They cause users to become more alert and energetic, but can also cause headaches, increased sweating, reduced appetite, restlessness, sleeplessness and panic attacks. Most amphetamines sold illegally are not pure; they are an unpredictable combination of amphetamines and other potentially harmful substances. The other substances can cause tetanus, collapsed veins, abscesses or damage to the brain, heart or lungs. The unpredictable nature of illegally bought drugs also means it is easy to overdose. Overdose can cause stroke, high body temperature, heart failure and seizures. In some people high doses of amphetamines cause what is known as “amphetamine psychosis�? whereby the user experiences hallucinations, violent or aggressive behaviour and paranoid delusions.

Long term use of amphetamines can cause high blood pressure, a rapid and irregular heartbeat, anxiety, tension and insomnia. To cope with these side effects, many people use alcohol, cannabis or prescription sedatives in order to unwind. Because amphetamines reduce the appetite, users are typically undernourished and have a weak immune system. They are usually prone to frequent infections or have difficulty recovering from infections.

�?Cocaine

Cocaine is also a stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system. It is extracted from the leaves of the coca bush, which predominantly grows in Bolivia and Peru. Cocaine is usually snorted through the nose or injected. It cannot be smoked because the drug is destroyed by heat. Cocaine users experience the following:

Increased body temperature and heart rate

Anxiety

Exhilaration

Loss of appetite

Panic

Increased stamina

Reduced tolerance to pain

Sexual arousal

Poor concentration

Unpredictable or violent behaviour

Continual use of cocaine can cause irritability, restlessness and paranoia. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failure, chest pain, headaches and seizures. Cocaine can also affect the digestive system, causing nausea and abdominal pain. Cocaine reduces appetite; therefore many users are malnourished and have nutritional deficiencies. Snorting cocaine through the nose can cause a loss of sense of smell, a chronically runny nose, nosebleeds, problems swallowing and a hoarse voice. Injecting any drug places the user at increased risk of contracting hepatitis C or HIV.

�?Cannabis (Marijuana)

Cannabis is a depressant drug, meaning it slows down the central nervous system. The chemical in cannabis that makes users feel high is called THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). Cannabis has the following effects on the body:

Relaxation and loss of inhibition

Impaired co ordination

Altered perception of time and space

Increased appetite

Impaired thinking and memory

Low blood pressure

Very large quantities of cannabis can cause the following:

Restlessness

Confusion

Reduced reaction time

Excitement

Hallucinations

Anxiety and panic

Paranoia

Research has shown that a user’s risk of having a heart attack more than quadruples in the hour after smoking cannabis.

Long term use of cannabis can have the following detrimental effects:

�?Lung disease.

Because marijuana cigarettes contain more tar than tobacco, users are at increased risk of lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. People who smoke both tobacco and marijuana are at substantially increased risk of these diseases.

�?Impaired brain function.

cannabis negatively affects your ability to learn, as well as your concentration and memory.

�?Reduced motivation.

People who regularly use cannabis have less energy and motivation, and this is reflected in poor performance at school and work.

�?Altered hormone levels.

Cannabis can cause a loss of libido and irregular menstrual periods. It also affects fertility by reducing sperm counts and increasing the quantity of sperm abnormalities.

Cannabis use can bring on a mental illness such as schizophrenia or manic depression in people predisposed to these conditions.

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