The primary effects of prolonged substance use disorder involve both the mind and the body. Furthermore, there are secondary consequences that can make the physical and mental effects even worse. The physical and emotional risks can be more severe depending on the misused drug or drugs and how they are taken or ingested. For example, swallowing a toxic dose of prescription medication is dangerous, but injecting the same amount can be even more harmful.
If your substance use has you worried about the long-term effects of prescription drugs, call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 today. The sooner you begin recovery, the greater chance you will restore your health and embrace a brighter future.
Prescription Addiction and Your Health
Much of the focus on pill addiction in the United States is on fatal overdose, but it’s understandable. Overdose killed over 93,000 Americans in 2020. Though it is the worst side-effect, death is certainly not the only reason to be concerned about addiction. Misuse of prescription medications can cause structural and functional damage to the body’s organs, brain, and other systems.
Kidneys
Prolonged use of prescription painkillers can cause a renal infarction, kidney lesions, acute kidney inflation, and kidney failure.
Liver
Long-term use of opioids, especially when combined with alcohol, can result in liver failure and inflammation.
Cardiovascular System
The effects of prescription pill addiction are most serious when someone uses the pills intravenously. Health risks include:
- Heart disease
- Heart attacks
- Vascular disease
- Heart failure
- Stroke
Injecting drugs can cause infections in the veins and collapsed veins, hastening kidney damage.
Gastrointestinal System
When you take drugs orally, they are especially hard on the gastrointestinal system. They can cause damage to the intestinal lining, stomach, and digestive organs. Frequent diarrhea, inflammation, vomiting, and ulcers are also common. Problems with the gastrointestinal system can also lead to poor eating habits, which further endangers physical health.
Brain
Brain health is one of the most significant concerns when it comes to long-term drug misuse. Addiction to prescription pills can cause brain cells to die, resulting in cognitive impairment and brain damage which may be irreversible.
Mental Health and Pill Addiction
Individuals suffering from prescription addiction know that physical health isn’t the only thing that suffers. Mental or psychological health is also at risk when prescription medications are misused.
The most common long-term effects on mental health include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
- Insomnia
- Cognitive impairment
Learning how to cope with issues like depression and anxiety without medication is integral to long-term recovery.
Coping with the Secondary Effects of Prescription Addiction
With long-term substance use, eventually, the desire to satisfy drug cravings becomes more important than anything or anyone else. When this happens, a person begins to experience the secondary effects of addiction which include:
- Homelessness
- Unemployment
- Malnutrition
- Infection and contagious disease
- Lost or estranged relationships
- Putting yourself at physical risk in dangerous places or situations
- Hopelessness
The damage that prescription pill addiction can do is both serious and various, from causing health problems that can last a lifetime to destroying relationships with those you love the most. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome addiction and regain your health.
Learn More About Overcoming Addiction at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
If you’re battling prescription addiction, there is hope. The long-term effects of prescription drugs can be severe, but much of the damage is repairable with the proper treatment. Through addiction recovery, most physical and emotional damage can be reversed, and relationships can be mended. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 if you are ready to begin the process of healing. Our experienced professionals are here to get you started on the road to recovery.
