Drug abuse is one of the major health concerns in United States today. Drugs affect various parts of human body and impair their normal functioning. People know that drug abuse is very dangerous, but many of them don’t know its exact effects. It is very important to understand the short and long term effects of drugs and alcohol abuse on human body to stay away from them. Here we will discuss about some of the effects of commonly abused drugs such as Alcohol, Marijuana and Cocaine.

Before discussing about the short and long term effects of these drugs, here is a brief overview on each drug.

AlcoholAlcohol is among the most abused drugs in America. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than half (51.9 percent) of Americans or 130.6 million people, aged 12 years or more were current alcohol drinkers in 2009. Alcohol is legal but a dangerous central nervous system depressant. It can be as potent as many other illicit drugs of abuse. The main problem with alcohol is that many people often do not realize that they are getting addicted to it.

MarijuanaMarijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in America. NSDUH states that there were 16.7 million Marijuana abusers in 2009. It has similar effects as stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens. Marijuana smoke contains more carcinogens than tobacco smoke, creating a higher risk of lung diseases.

CocaineCocaine, a strong stimulant to the central nervous system and is highly addictive. In 2009, there were 1.6 million current cocaine users aged 12 years or old.

Short term effectsAlcohol: Alcohol intoxication causes behavioral changes, impairs brain function and motor skills, alters ability to learn and remember and reduces sensitivity to pain. Alcohol intake also affects vision, narrowing down the visual field, reducing resistance to glare and decreasing the sensitivity to colors. Very high doses of alcohol can cause death. Alcohol if taken with other illicit drugs can produce life threatening effects.

Marijuana: Short term effects of Marijuana include substantial increase in the heart rate, bloodshot eyes (reddening of eyes), dry mouth and throat. Marijuana use also increases body temperature, appetite and drowsiness. Marijuana impairs the ability to drive a vehicle or work on a machine as it affects concentration, reaction time and coordination.

Cocaine: Immediate effects of Cocaine use include elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, stuffy nose, heart and respiratory problems. Crack, a freebase form of Cocaine causes dilated pupils, increased pulse rate, elevated blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, hallucinations, paranoia, and seizures. In some cases, Cocaine use can lead to death by cardiac arrest. Cocaine user may experience anxiety, restlessness, twitches, tremors, spasms, coordination problems, chest pain, nausea, seizures, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. In some rare cases, first time use of cocaine can also cause sudden death.

Long term effectsAlcohol: Consuming large quantities of Alcohol for longer periods can lead to permanent brain, liver, pancreas and stomach damage. It may also lead to malnutrition, high blood pressure, lower resistance to diseases and gastro-intestinal problems. Heavy alcohol can cause cancer to vital organs such as esophagus, stomach, liver and pancreas.

Marijuana: Long term Marijuana abuse can reduce short term memory and ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination. It can cause respiratory problems, lung damage, and even cancer.

Cocaine: Long term Cocaine users risk heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, nausea and abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, chest pain and headaches.

Apart from causing harm to one’s health, drug abuse impacts abusers’ interpersonal relationships, deteriorates financial condition and reduces the ability to work. Therefore, it is very important to stay away from drugs.

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Are you an alcoholic? When do you know you have become addicted?

Drinking alcohol excessively for a long period of time has a lot of risks to your health. The amount of alcohol you drink at a sitting and the extent of overall times you do this will determine the amount of damage done to your body.

If you are not a heavy drinker and only drink 1-2 drinks a sitting a couple of times a week, you would not be considered an alcoholic If your drinking becomes more and more each time and more often, and you continue this habit over a long period of time, you will eventually become addicted to alcohol. You increase your body tolerance each time you have a drink.

1. Your family life begins to crumble.
2. You become depressed.
3. Your anxiety will increasingly become worse.
4. You will be unable to sleep as well as you did before.
5. You start to lose your self esteem.
6. Your friends avoid you.
7. You have problems at work.

That’s just the beginning. You start to shut out the family and your friends. You shut out everything except the alcohol. The long term effects of alcohol become more serious as time goes by. Short And Long Term Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

You could lose your job. You could lose your family. You have already lost your self respect and your self esteem.

More serious than anything else though, is your health status. Alcohol addiction causes many health problems. The most extreme and most serious problem is Cirrhosis of the liver. When this problem occurs, it is incurable.

Other organs affected include the pancreas, stomach, throat, esophagus, and the brain. Excessive alcohol intake has been linked to cancers of these organs. Women who consume alcohol excessively are at a higher risk of breast cancer. If these are not enough reasons for anyone to think twice about continuing to drink excessively, then you are probably too far gone. You should immediately contact a health official and get into a program as quickly as you can. At this point, you cannot do it on your own. Short And Long Term Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Best answer:

Answer by Hayley
depends on the brand of medication

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

As popular as alcohol is as a beverage, we cannot ignore the toxic effects it has on the body. We are aware of these from experiencing these effects ourselves, and the fact that our liver processes it in the exact same way that it does any other toxin. Our liver is not perfect though, and it can only break down alcohol at a certain rate. The remaining alcohol is sent throughout the body where it damages cells. Long Term Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Brain

There are both short-term and long-term effects of alcohol consumption. Let’s look at some of these now:

Short-term Effects

These are the ones with which most people are more familiar and have probably experienced at least a few times. Obviously, they vary in intensity depending on the level of intoxication. Mental symptoms include: mood swings, tiredness, numbness to pain, sedation, variation in sexual desire, aggressiveness etc.

Aside from the mental effects, there are also physical effects such as: reduced motor skills, poor sensory perception, reduced muscular function etc.

Now a lot of people might have experienced the effects of being fairly intoxicated, but they can go much farther. People with alcohol poisoning will certainly know about these. Eventually enough alcohol can cause so much reduction in muscle function that a person’s diaphragm will not be able to work properly, preventing them from breathing and leading to death. Also the heart muscle can be put off-rhythm, which can also lead to death.

Long-term Effects

The symptoms mentioned earlier can occur just from one occasion of drinking. The long-term effects occur over a longer period of time of consistent drinking. Some of the commonly known mental symptoms are: permanent mood changes, greater disposition for anxiety/fatigue/rage, as well as a host of poor self-image issues.

Probably one of the most addictive aspects that leads people to become alcoholics is the fact that alcohol causes depression over the long-term, but can relieve depression in the short-term. So what ends up happening is alcohol makes a person depressed, so they drink more alcohol to deal with this…simply worsening the issue and perpetuating a vicious cycle.

In terms of the physical effects of long-term alcohol consumption, the most affected organs are the liver, brain and nervous system. Let’s look at some of the effects on the nervous system. Long Term Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Brain

Nerves

It’s quite well-known that alcohol damages what are known as “peripheral nerves”. These are nerves that are found throughout your body that aren’t part of the brain or spinal cord, but pretty important nonetheless. It’s not quite clear how alcohol damages these nerves, but for our purposes this is irrelevant. Some of the things that can occur are: impotence in men, muscle weakness, random numbness and pains throughout the body, problems with bowel movements etc.

Those are just the symptoms involved with peripheral nerve damage. There is also damage to “autonomic nerves”. Autonomic nerves control your body’s automic functions, the ones you don’t have to think about. Some of the symptoms from this damage include: diarrhea, vomiting, heartbeat irregularity, problems speaking, constipation, difficulty swallowing etc.

Brain

Well obviously alcohol affects the brain, to which anyone who has had a bender can testify. Alcohol both does direct damage to the brain, as well as deprive your body of nutrients that your brain requires. Also, because alcohol damages the liver, it prevents other toxins from being removed from the blood as efficiently. This toxic blood will go to the brain and cause even more damage. Some of the effects on the brain include: loss of memory, reduced mental clarity, reduced sensory perception, unpredictable emotional functioning etc.

Liver

The liver detoxifies your body and removes most of the alcohol from your blood. Putting your liver under enough stress will damage it. Some of the long-term effects such as cirrhosis. Many people are aware of this disease. It is very serious and can lead to death. Another disease is alcohol hepatitis, a type of inflammation that can lead to jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Actually, this isn’t just a long-term effect. This hepatitis can occur after a single event if toxic enough. Finally, fatty liver can also occur, which is when most of your liver cells are replaced by fat, greatly reducing your liver’s ability to function properly. Long Term Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Brain

Now: I am currently taking Lithium, Celexa, and Remeron for depression and Lamictal for epilepsy. I see a psychiatrist about once a month and a therapist once a week. My therapist is very nice, but for whatever reason, I’m not completely honest with her. I feel disconnected from everything and avoid social interactions because they make me quite uncomfortable. I’m on constant edge, wary of everything. Sometimes at night, when I’m alone, I hear “phantom” music—it’s as if someone were playing loud rock at my neighbor’s house, although I’m virtually positive that isn’t the case. I also see “phantom” objects, or else movement; that is, I have the sense a book I’m reading is wobbling/tilting/sliding, but I can also tell that it isn’t, or I’ll see an invisible cube twisting in the air. (I realize that “invisible” means exactly that—not able to be seen—but it feels like I’m seeing it anyway.) I have constant dull aches in my head and stomach, sometimes my chest, and am always tired—like I have a slight flu that has lingered at ~30% strength since the incident. My self-respect has dissolved into nothing, as has my self-worth. I was once confident enough in my writing to be seeking in-depth criticism and even publication, but now, I can’t stand looking at the things I’ve written, much less writing new things, without feeling like a fraud, an impostor in the literary world. Because of the ECT, I have lost many memories from the near and far past, which makes me feel in some ways like an impostor in the person who is supposedly me. Given the way I’m withdrawing from the people around me, I’m beginning to consider the idea that it might be better for everyone if I just ended it cleanly here. I’ve been up and down so many times that it feels like I’m not meant to be really Okay, you know? And what’s the point in dragging it out if that’s the case? The fact is, some depression just isn’t treatable; I’m no longer a remotely productive member of society or a positive force in the lives of the people I theoretically love.

Questions: How much of this is noteworthy/worthy of concern? Do you honestly think recovery is possible in this instance? If so, what would you suggest for someone who has “been there, done that” as far as treatment is concerned? And if not, what should I do from here?

Many, many thanks for your time and energy, and if you need further information, just let me know.

Im using the meds to keep myself free from stress during big parties

In my opinion, it can, but not always! I have friends who did LSD back in the sixties whose brains are fried! Others have memory problems, social anxiety, depression, and abuse alcohol (also a drug). Some don’t seem to have any after effects at all. Substance abuse kills brain cells and alters the chemicals in the brain. I guess the lesson is, don’t abuse drugs or alcohol. Rehabilitation is fantastic, but there is some damage that irreparable – that is the price we pay! Some people substitute one addiction with another as a sort of self-medication, and because it’s legal, they think it’s okay!

Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it any less damaging when it’s abused. It may numb you out but it distorts reality – functioning in society is a far cry from living your best life and being happy with who you are – you’re not rehabilitated until you face your demons and rise above them. Then you start over with a clean slate. With that being said, what’s your take on my question…

There may be some truth in this one

The Banana

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting.

After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same
way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and
glucose combined with fibre. A banana gives an instant,
sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven
that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous
90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one
fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn’t the
only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help
overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and
conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND
amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much
better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain
tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into
serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it
contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your
mood.

Anaemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of
haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high
in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood
pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has
just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for
the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and
stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school
were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at
breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain
power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can
assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can
help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the
problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest
ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake,
sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with
the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels,
while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body,
so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for
soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to
keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try
rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.
Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling
and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the
nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology
in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort
food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital
patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to
be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood
sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two
hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against
intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and
smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without
distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes
over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of
the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a
“cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional
temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example,
pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a
cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD
sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer
tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to
give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the
potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover
from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize
the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your
body’s water balance When we are stressed, our metabolic rate
rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be
rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of
Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the
risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you
want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place
it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the
skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When
you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein,
twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times
the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and
minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best
value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known
phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the
time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes??
Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the
shoe…polish with dry cloth.

Amazing fruit!

I’ve been drinking lots of beer for 15 years and recently have been drinking almost daily this past year.

I noticed i get irritable and anxious when I’m not drinking.

What can i expect when I quit?
Finchy : Wow, you are good. I couldn’t ask for a better answer. Every thing you said makes sense.

THANKS.

After a nice large dinner tonight, I felt a little panicky and just not right after my meal!. The feeling is like I am still a little drunk visually. I can see fine, just things seem off a bit. I am feeling a little better now (an hour and a half) after dinner. I did some weight training yesterday. It felt good, so I thought I was going to be okay this morning, but the same odd feeling returned this morning and has been there throughout the day, most of the time when I walk. It is like I am unsure of myself. Does that make any sense?

How long will this feeling last?
How do I get rid of it for good, FAST?
What is the reason for it?
Is insomnia part of detox and how long does it last?
I am feeling a bit strange visually because of the detox?

I am committed to not drinking anymore. I have confessed to my friends that I have a drinking problem. I don’t want to touch it anymore and feel extremely confident in not going back that way again, Not even a beer will touch my lips, EVER. I just want to feel normal again. I now greatly appreciate being sober. Are these my symptoms normal?

Please do not reply to this if you are not 100% trying to be helpful and know what you are talking about. No “YOU ARE DYING” or other childish and or hateful remarks please. It is very unwelcome and you may need the same help some day. So, please have sympathy towards us and be serious. We could be one of your loved ones, who you would never want to harass. Thank you for your kindness.
RN Thanks for your answer. That sounds very helpful. What about the feeling that I have with my eyes?
RN Thanks for your answer. That sounds very helpful. I am going to do my best and get this monkey off my back. I have never felt so horrible in my life. One question what about the strange vision when I am walking or I turn my head? the feeling of being a bit visually unstable? Do people complain about that, too? LIke being off center a bit?