The effects of drug addiction are far-reaching, both on the addicted and on those around them. The costs to society are enormous; the cost to individuals is devastating, both to the addict and to their families and loved ones. The reasons for addiction are unclear. The result is abundantly evident.
Specific addictions create adverse health conditions, some more pronounced than others. Most drugs, including alcohol damage the liver and can lead to cirrhosis or cancer. Amphetamines and opiates both cause long-lasting changes in the brain that may be impossible to overcome. Methamphetamine in particular is noted for the obvious damage to the teeth due in part to repression of saliva production and the acidification of the mouth. Part of the severe tooth damage seen in meth addiction may also be due to the tendency of the addict to grind his teeth subconsciously as a result of the high state of agitation and tension experienced while under its influence.
All addictions can result in accidental injury or death both from overdose and from engaging in risky behavior due to impaired judgment. Heart, lungs and vascular systems can all be adversely affected by addictive drug use and result in long-term disability and death.
The effects of addiction on the immune system are not well understood. It is evident, however, that drug addiction plays a part in the transmission of such debilitating diseases as HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis C and more recently, MRSA. Intravenous drug use and the sharing of needles increase the possibility of exposure to these blood-born pathogens and to infections due to unsterile needle use. Impaired thought processes and the overwhelming craving for the drug of choice prevent the addict from appreciating and acting upon the need for caution and sterility. Methamphetamine use in particular carries with it behaviors related to sexual compulsion leading to unprotected and risky sexual behaviors and the risk of sexually-transmitted disease.
It matters little if the drug of choice is an illicit compound or a prescription medication. In fact, there are many instances of full-blown addiction to substances which appear to have no addictive properties. An addiction appears then to be first a psychological disorder and secondarily a physically addictive disorder. Unfortunately, our over-emphasis on the addictive qualities of certain substances has obscured the issue of psychological indicators in substance abuse and has ultimately limited the