The Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body

Drug addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease that involves complex interactions between a person’s environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences.

People with drug addictions continue to compulsively use drugs despite the negative effects.

Substance abuse has many potential consequences, including overdose and even death. Learn about the short and long-term effects of drug addiction. Discover treatment options for common symptoms.

Short-Term Effects

People can become addicted to any psychoactive ("mind-altering") substance. Common addictive substances include alcohol, tobacco (nicotine), stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioid painkillers.

Many of the effects of drug addiction are similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common short-term effects of drug addiction.

Physical Effects

Drugs can produce many short-term physical effects. These may include:

• Shallow breathing
• Elevated body temperature
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Decreased or increased appetite
• Uncoordinated movements

Drug abuse can also lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms, even in the short-term:

• Dependence: People can become physically dependent on a substance fairly quickly. This means they need a larger amount of that substance to get the same “high.”
• Withdrawal symptoms: When someone with a dependence on a drug stops using it, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as excessive sweating, tremors, panic, difficulty breathing, fatigue, irritability, and flu-like symptoms.
  

Mental Effects

Psychoactive substances affect the parts of the brain that involve reward, pleasure, and risk. They produce a sense of euphoria and well-being by flooding the brain with dopamine.

This leads people to compulsively use drugs in search of another euphoric “high.” The consequences of these neurological changes can be either temporary or permanent. 

The short-term mental effects of drug abuse can include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability 
• Aggression
• Angry outbursts
• Lack of inhibition 
• Hallucinations
  

Long-Term Effects

If drug addiction is left untreated, it can lead to a range of serious long-term effects. These are some of the most common long-term effects of drug addiction on the brain and body.

Physical Effects

Drug addiction can have serious long-term physical consequences, including major organ damage and even death.

Some of the most common long-term physical effects of drug addiction include:

• Kidney damage
• Liver damage and cirrhosis
• Various forms of cancer
• Tooth decay
• Skin damage
• Infertility
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Sexual dysfunction
• Cardiovascular problems
• Lung problems
• Overdose and death

Mental Effects

When someone continues to use drugs, their health can deteriorate both psychologically and neurologically. Some of the most common long-term mental effects of drug addiction are:

• Cognitive decline
• Memory loss
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis

Signs of Drug Addiction

The signs of drug abuse and addiction include changes in behavior, personality, and physical appearance.

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use, here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

• Changes in school or work performance
• Secretiveness 
• Relationship problems
• Risk-taking behavior
• Legal problems
• Aggression 
• Mood swings
• Changes in hobbies or friends
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Unexplained smells on the body or clothing

Treatment

While there's no single “cure” for drug addiction, it's about as treatable as other chronic diseases. The primary ways of treating drug addiction include:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy, can help someone with a drug addiction develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
• Behavioral therapy: Common behavioral therapies for drug addiction include motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and contingency management (CM). These therapy approaches build coping skills and provide positive reinforcement.
• Medication: Certain prescribed medications help to ease withdrawal symptoms. Some examples are naltrexone (for alcohol), bupropion (for nicotine), and methadone (for opioids).
• Hospitalization: Some people with drug addiction might need to be hospitalized to detox from a substance before beginning long-term treatment.
• Support groups: Peer support and self-help groups, such as 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, can help people with drug addictions find support, resources, and accountability.

There are many different ways of treating drug addiction. Forming an individualized treatment plan with the help of your healthcare provider is likely to be the most effective approach.

Summary

Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that causes someone to compulsively use psychoactive substances despite the negative consequences.

Some of the short-term effects of drug abuse and addiction include changes in appetite, movement, speech, mood, and cognitive function. The long-term effects can include major organ damage, cognitive decline, memory loss, overdose, and death.

Treatment for drug addiction may involve psychotherapy, medication, hospitalization, support groups, or a combination.

Related: Relapse After Recovery

A Word From Verywell

If you're experiencing drug addiction, you’re not alone. Drug addiction is common, but it's also preventable and treatable. The earlier you seek help and inform yourself about the effects of drug addiction, the faster you can achieve long-term recovery.