Prescription drugs are both addictive and dangerous to use. Yet, in spite of the long-term effects of prescription drug abuse, more Americans continue to use medication than ever before. More people are also visiting drug and alcohol detox centers to overcome prescription drug abuse side effects.
Some of the long-term effects of prescription drug abuse include organ damage, tolerance to the effects of the drugs, psychological cravings, withdrawal symptoms, mental health disorders, and decreased cognitive function. Learn more about prescription drug abuse side effects, and if you have any further questions, contact Midwest Detox Center today at 833.647.0392.
Long-Term Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse: Organ Failure or Damage
There are ten major organ systems in your body. Prescription drug abuse affects each of them. For instance, drug abuse can hinder muscle movement and impair your coordination. Excessive prescription drug use leads to chronic heart conditions, impaired breathing, and ulcers in the digestive system. It can also interrupt hormone regulation and damage your reproductive system.
Tolerance to the Effects of the Drugs
When you use prescription drugs for a long period, your body develops a tolerance to the drug’s effects. You have to increase the dosage to keep feeling the effects. This vicious cycle leads to dependency and increases the risk of overdose. A prescription drug addiction program is designed to help you overcome your dependency and reverse the effects of the drugs.
Psychological Addiction
Once you create a pattern of prescription drug abuse, your mind becomes fixated on the cycle of cravings and rewards. This leads to a psychological addiction that becomes more difficult to end the longer you keep using drugs. Prescription drug abuse detox is the first step in ending the addiction. Detox and rehab can help you manage your cravings until they taper off.
Prescription Drug Abuse Side Effects
Withdrawal Symptoms
Prescription drug withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug you are using and the circumstances of your addiction. Common withdrawal symptoms during prescription drug abuse detox may include:
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Aches and pains
- Delirium
- Depression
- Nausea or vomiting
Severe withdrawal symptoms may include elevated heart rate or seizures or other high-risk effects. For this reason, you should visit a prescription drug detox center instead of trying to detox on your own.
Mental Health Disorders
Chronic use of prescription drugs may result in long-term changes in the brain. You may experience mental health issues, such as:
- Hallucinations
- Aggressions
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Paranoia
Although mental health disorders commonly occur alongside addiction, it is difficult to identify if the mental health disorder triggered the addiction or addiction led to the mental health condition. Dual diagnosis is effective in treating these co-occurring disorders.
Decreased Cognitive Function
Some prescription medications affect brain function by attaching to receptors, which control how the brain sends, receives, and interprets signals. By attaching to the receptors, the drugs prevent the body’s own neurotransmitters from attaching to the receptors. This can lead to decreased cognitive function, impairing many of the activities that you engage in every day.
Personal Problems in All Areas of Your Life
Not all consequences of drug abuse are physical or psychological. Addiction can also affect all areas of your life, including family relationships, finances, career, and your reputation. It can take years to rebuild your life and heal broken wounds after you recover from your addiction.
Learn More About the Long-Term Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse
If you would like to learn more about the long-term effects of prescription drug abuse, then contact Midwest Detox Center today. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment therapies for all types of addictions. Call Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392 to find out more about your treatment options and get started with your treatment plan today. We are here to help you get on the path to recovery from prescription drug addiction.
