People with addiction often have one or more associated health problems, which may include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or mental health conditions. Imaging, chest x-rays, and blood tests can show the harmful effects of long-term drug use on the entire body. A substance use problem is a chronic illness that requires lifestyle adjustments and long-term treatments, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Even relapse can be a normal part of the process, not a sign of failure, but a sign that treatment needs to be adjusted.
With good care, people with substance use disorders can lead healthy and productive lives. Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and cause addiction.
Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and behavior. When you're addicted to drugs, you can't resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm they may cause. The sooner you get treatment for drug addiction, the more likely you are to avoid some of the more serious consequences of the disease. What are the dangers of mixing cocaine and alcohol? Learn about the side effects of mixing both medications, as well as the precautions you should take and the treatments.
Alcohol has both short- and long-term effects. Drinking a small amount can help people feel relaxed, but too much and too often can be harmful to health. Brain changes caused by addiction can be long-lasting, which is why drug addiction is considered a recurring illness. Clinically known as substance use disorder, drug abuse or addiction is caused by the regular use of addictive substances.
