Illegal drugs and prescription drugs alike can cause a variety of serious health problems. Different drugs affect the body in unique ways, targeting the brain, nervous system, heart, lungs, and other organs. Understanding the foundation of each drug’s effects and the risk factors that make people more vulnerable is essential for recognizing the dangers of misuse.
Many of the health consequences of drug abuse are well known—such as marijuana’s link to short-term memory loss, “meth mouth” from methamphetamine, or the anxiety associated with cocaine. But the effects of drugs go much further than these familiar examples. Here are seven surprising and often overlooked ways drug use can impact both physical and mental health.
If you’re struggling with drug addiction in Tennessee, Recovery Ranch is a trusted drug rehab center in Nunnelly, an hour west of Nashville. Our residential and outpatient rehab programs address addiction and co-occurring disorders with expert, compassionate care.
How Drug Misuse Impacts Physical and Mental Health
Drug misuse can cause severe and even life-threatening problems. The effects of drugs extend beyond the immediate high (and crash) and often reshape how the brain works and the nervous system functions. Early or initial drug use can change brain chemistry, leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this cycle often develops into substance use disorder.
The harmful consequences of ongoing drug use range from brain damage to mental disorders to disruption of body temperature regulation. These problems can cause a medical emergency in some cases. Family history and general health can also increase the risk of developing drug addiction, which is why prevention and treatment matter so much.
1. Suicide and Mental Health Issues
Drug abuse and mental illness often occur together, linked to an increased risk of suicide. One study of more than 1,200 people who injected drugs found that nearly 6% had recently attempted suicide—much higher than the general population. Those who regularly used cocaine or amphetamines were nearly twice as likely to attempt suicide, showing the dangerous connection between substance abuse, mental disorders, and suicidal thoughts.
Long-term drug use can trigger or worsen mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. These conditions develop as chemical changes in the brain disrupt mood regulation, decision-making, and self-control. Depression can cause lasting sadness and loss of interest in daily life, while psychosis may involve hallucinations, delusions, and a distorted sense of reality.
Because mental illness and substance use disorder often reinforce one another, effective treatment must address both conditions at once. Support from mental health professionals, addiction medicine specialists, and peer support groups can help break the cycle and improve quality of life.
2. Parkinson’s Disease and Neurological Damage
Research from Utah shows that people who use methamphetamine or other amphetamines are nearly three times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease later in life. These drugs damage nerve cells and impair cognitive function, leading to tremors, stiffness, and movement problems.
Drug misuse can also cause other forms of neurological damage, including impaired coordination, altered sense of judgment, and long-term cognitive decline. Such health problems reduce independence and make daily life much harder to manage.
3. Blood Vessel Damage and Heart Attacks
Cocaine is particularly harmful to the cardiovascular system. It can damage blood vessels, raise blood pressure, and double the risk of stroke. One life-threatening complication is aortic dissection, when the inner wall of the aorta tears, causing internal bleeding.
Cocaine use also contributes to irregular heart rhythms, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and increased risk of heart attacks. Men may also experience erectile dysfunction as a result. Together, these cardiovascular health consequences reduce quality of life and can even be fatal without treatment.
4. Complications from Contaminants
Illicit drugs often contain chemical compounds that add further danger. Cocaine, for example, is sometimes cut with levamisole, a veterinary drug that can cause large blisters, dead skin patches, joint pain, and kidney or lung damage.
Injecting drugs carries its own risks. Using shared or non-sterile needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to infective endocarditis: a dangerous infection of the heart’s valves. Symptoms like fatigue, chills, and fever may seem mild at first but can progress to heart failure, stroke, or widespread infection if untreated. This makes sterile injection practices and timely medical care essential.
5. Rhabdomyolysis and Muscle Damage
Stimulants like cocaine, amphetamines, and synthetic drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) can trigger rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. In this disorder, muscle tissue breaks down and releases myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can overwhelm the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.
Warning signs include muscle pain, swelling, dark-colored urine, and severe fatigue. Without prompt treatment, rhabdomyolysis can cause permanent damage or death.
6. Increased Risk of Infectious Diseases
Injecting drugs significantly raises the risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment can spread bloodborne infections. Drug use also impairs judgment, increasing the likelihood of unprotected sex, which spreads sexually transmitted infections.
Hepatitis C can progress to chronic liver disease or cirrhosis if left untreated, while HIV weakens the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to other infections. Drug use can also lead to bacterial infections like cellulitis, abscesses, and infective endocarditis. Preventive care, such as sterile equipment, safe sex education, and access to effective drug addiction treatment, can lower these risks.
7. Pregnancy Risks and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Substance abuse during pregnancy can cause serious complications for both mother and baby. Babies exposed to drugs in the womb, especially opioids, may develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). These newborns often experience withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, feeding difficulties, irritability, or seizures.
Pregnant women who use drugs also face higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and complications like placental abruption or preeclampsia. These health consequences can affect a child’s development for years. Comprehensive treatment plans designed for pregnant women can improve outcomes for both mother and child.
Understanding Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder is a complex health condition that affects millions. It changes brain chemistry, undermines decision making, and increases the risk of relapse. People struggling with opioid use disorder, prescription drug misuse, or alcohol addiction often find it nearly impossible to stop taking drugs without professional help.
Left untreated, substance use disorders increase the risk of additional health problems such as lung cancer, gum disease, and heart attacks. They can also cause withdrawal symptoms that complicate recovery. Treatment plans developed by addiction medicine providers help people regain control and build healthier futures.
Drug Addiction Treatment at The Ranch in Tennessee
The effects of drugs are far-reaching, harming physical and mental health, increasing the risk of infectious disease, and putting families and communities under strain. Recognizing the signs of drug addiction is the first step toward lasting recovery.
The Recovery Ranch in Nunnelly, TN, outside Nashville, provides evidence-based care for people seeking help with substance use disorder. Our holistic approach combines medical treatment, counseling, and peer support groups to empower individuals to reclaim their health and lives.If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction or substance use, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Recovery Ranch today to learn about personalized treatment plans, mental health support, and compassionate care every step of the way.