Drug addiction is a condition of uncontrollable desire to consume a drug. Drug addicts are the people who cannot function without having a regular dose of the drug they are addicted to. It is something that consumes their thoughts and behaviour.
Drug addiction is harmful for both the body and the mind, and has negative effects with prolonged use. Anything that changes the way your body normally functions is dangerous, if you use it regularly. Also, with a regular use, addicts develop a tolerance to the drug. This means they have to consume a larger amount to achieve the same effect.
Different drugs have different affects on the body, but they do have many things in common. The major effect of drug addiction is that it destroys your immune system. The immune system is that part of the body that wards off diseases and prevents us from being sick. A drug addict has a very weak immune system and is susceptible to common diseases such as colds and infections.
Drugs also slow down your metabolism and make you feel hungry less often. This is the reason why drug addicts are usually underweight and weak. It affects your stomach and intestine, and can lead to constipation. Drug abuse also weakens your bones and increases your chances of developing osteoporosis.
Drugs, which are stimulants, have a different affect on the body than depressants. Stimulants increase your blood pressure and heartbeat rate, and even increase your chances of developing cardiac problems. On the other hand, depressants lower your blood pressure and heart beat, and slow down your reaction time.
Drugs also have negative effects on your organs. People, who are addicted to drugs that are smoked, have weak respiratory systems and lungs. They have difficulty breathing and are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. In the same way, alcoholics have permanently damaged livers as excessive consumption of alcohol destroys the liver. This makes it difficult for the body to release toxins. Kidneys are another organ which feels the affects of drug addiction.
Drug addiction also prevents vitamins and minerals to be properly absorbed into the body. This is the reason drug addicts have weak, thin hair, and weak nails. They also have poor skin tone as the blood circulation in their body is constricted. Many drug addicts are also anemic and have low iron absorption.
Drug addiction also has severe negative effects on the brain. It causes a loss of concentration, and can also lead to depression or other mental disorders. It can also affect your eye-sight and coordination.
Drug addiction has a lasting effect on your body; sometimes you can even do irreversible damage to your body. Prolonged use of drugs means that it gets stored in the fatty tissues in the body, and it continues to deteriorate your health long after you have consumed it. Thus, it is important to get help if you or a friend is an addict, and should get checked in a rehabilitation centre.