9 Major Effects of Drug Abuse – Explained!

Some of the major effects of drug abuse are:

1. Nervousness and Psychosis 2. AIDS and Hepatitis 3. Misuse of Drugs by Certain Sports Persons 4. Impotency, Chromosomal Aberrations and Production of Abnormal Babies 5. Effects on Kidneys 6. Victims of various diseases 7. Hormonal Changes 8. Effect on Family 9. Effect on Society!

1. Nervousness and Psychosis:

Prolonged use of drugs leads to nervousness and psychosis. Drug addicts neglect their studies, duty and bring frustration not only for them­selves but also for their family and community. They may lead to traffic and industrial accidents.

2. AIDS and Hepatitis:

Many drug addicts inject these drugs in their blood vessels with previously used needles. Studies have shown that AIDS and Hepatitis-B are common in addicts using intravenous drugs.

3. Misuse of Drugs by Certain Sports Persons:

Misuse of drugs is done by certain sports persons to increase their performance. The side effects of the use of anabolic steroids in females include masculinisation (males like features), increased aggressiveness, depression, abnormal menstrual cycles, enlargement of clitoris, deepening of voice; excessive hair growth on the face and body and mood swings.

In males it includes reduction of size of the testicles, decreased sperm production, acne, potential for kidney and liver dysfunction, premature baldness, enlargement of prostate gland. In the adolescent male or female, stunted growth takes place.

4. Impotency, Chromosomal Aberrations and Production of Abnormal Babies:

Continuous use of narcotics and stimulants cause impotency and chromosomal aberrations and production of abnormal babies.

5. Effects on Kidneys:

Functions of kidney of drug abused persons are impaired and may be damaged.

6. Victims of various diseases:

It is evident that prolonged use of drugs causes per­manent damage to some organs and the body fails to work without the drugs. Therefore, the drug-users become victims of various diseases.

7. Hormonal Changes:

Hormonal changes include an increase in cortisol levels, inhi­bition of vasopressin, reversible decrease in serum thyroxin and a more marked decrease in serum triiodothyronine (T₃). Thyroxin is also called tetraiodothyronine (T₄).

8. Effect on Family:

The drug-users not only themselves suffer from the ill-effects of drug addiction, but also bring miseries to the entire family.

9. Effect on Society:

Since drug abused persons get the supply of the drugs from illegal sources, they encourage smuggling other associated illegal activities, resulting in several other social problems.