In the United States, among individuals aged 12 or older, 37.3 million are current illegal drug users as of 2020. In addition, 50% of people aged 12 or older have used illicit drugs at least once in their lives. As the issue of drug addiction increases in both the USA and around the world, I believe it is important to bring awareness to the details on how it actually harms an individual’s body. In this paper, I will cover the two most affected areas via drugs: the brain and the respiratory system.
To start with, when drugs are ingested into a body, they interfere with the neurons’ functions, such as sending and receiving signals. For instance, the drug heroin activates neurons due to their chemical makeup that closely resembles a neurotransmitter. Heroin attaches and activates the neurons, and sends atypical messages to other neurons. Some drugs make the neurons release too much of neurotransmitters or interfere with transporters. Furthermore, drugs affect the prefrontal cortex, which controls thinking, critical decision making, planning, and solving problems. Due to this, a person with a drug disorder will desire the said drug without proper control. The brainstem is also affected by drug use; which can disrupt essential life functions like sleeping and heart rate. In general, drugs change the brain’s reward pathway, a circuit that promotes survival and positive motivation. When drugs are consumed, too much of dopamine is released into the synapse. Gradually, the brain gets used to the overflow; this leads to the individual feeling less pleasure from natural rewards, such as social interactions, food, and sex.
Drugs also negatively affect a user’s lungs and respiratory system. Many methods of drug consumption, such as smoking tobacco, snorting, via mouth, or injecting in bloodstreams, all contribute to the respiratory system’s deterioration. By substance abuse, an individual is
susceptible to respiratory conditions and issues: wheezing, breath shortness or irregularity, ARDs, lung cancer, and pulmonary infections like tuberculosis and RSV. In addition, mixing drugs or using more than one type of drug in a short period can increase the risk for these conditions.
It is crucial to realize how substance use can impact our bodies and their proper functioning, especially in an age where drugs, alcohol, and vaping are normalized. Drug addiction leads to many dangerous and life threatening conditions such as abnormal blood pressure, changes in heart rate, dizziness, hypothermia, heart attacks, seizures, and even death. Treating drug and alcohol disorders is a long and complex, but an individualized process that can fit the specific needs of the addicted person. If someone you know, or even yourself, is struggling with proper drug usage or an addiction, call 1-800-662-HELP for a 24/7, all year crisis helpline. Other possible options include rehabilitation centers, therapy, and group addiction meetings.
Works Cited
American Addiction Centers. “The Potential Repercussion of Substance Abuse on the Respiratory System.” American Addiction Centers, 2019,
americanaddictioncenters.org/health-complications-addiction/respiratory-system. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
Crane, Marisa. “Neurological Risks of Drug Abuse | Effect of Drugs on the Brain.” DrugAbuse.com, May 2021, drugabuse.com/addiction/health-issues/neurological-risks/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. “NCDAS: Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2020].” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020, drugabusestatistics.org/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Drugs and the Brain.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011, nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
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