Substance use disorder (SUD) significantly affects not only your mental and emotional well-being but also your physical health, quality of life, and life expectancy. Continued substance use can lead to severe health complications, but recovery is possible.
If you are struggling with controlling your alcohol or drug use, you can take the first step today.
Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use
Consistent use of alcohol or drugs can result in a wide range of health problems, including chronic diseases and life-threatening conditions. These risks often feel distant or irrelevant, especially if you feel fine now, but the consequences can be devastating.
Alcohol Use: Key Health Risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that alcohol use contributes to over 200 diseases and health conditions. These include:
- Heart Disease: In 2019, alcohol-related cardiovascular disease caused 474,000 deaths globally.
- Cancer: Alcohol is linked to cancers of the liver, breast, neck, esophagus, and colon. In 2019, 4.4% of all cancers worldwide and 401,000 cancer deaths were attributed to alcohol use.
- Pregnancy Complications: Drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, causing developmental disabilities and birth defects.
Each year, about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. are linked to excessive alcohol use, with an average loss of 24 years of life per individual.
Drug Use: Diverse and Severe Health Risks
Different drugs affect the body in unique ways, but all can have serious consequences. Examples include:
- Cocaine: Can cause acute heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, arrhythmias, respiratory infections, and kidney damage.
- Opioids: Linked to strokes, infections of the heart, brain damage, respiratory depression, and damage to the renal and respiratory systems.
- Injection Drug Use: Sharing needles increases the risk of Hepatitis C and HIV, which can cause severe complications like heart infections and early death.
How to Protect Your Health and Seek Help
Substance use disorder is a life-threatening condition, but there is hope. Whether you’re dealing with the immediate risks of overdose or the long-term damage substances can cause, the time to act is now.
Consider Professional Treatment
At Northern Path Recovery Center, we provide compassionate, comprehensive care to help you recover physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Our treatment programs combine medical and therapeutic expertise with holistic approaches to address every aspect of your well-being, guiding you toward lasting recovery and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Addiction can affect anyone, but certain factors make some people more vulnerable. Just as someone with a family history of heart disease may take extra steps to care for their heart health, being aware of addiction risk factors can help you stay aware of situations and habits that could threaten your sobriety.
Please reach out if you have questions or want to get into a treatment program today. We’re here to help.
