Worst-Case Scenarios or Consequences of Drug Addiction

Addiction is a form of disease, and it can pose a series of negative consequences on a person's well-being, physical health and professional life. There are many forms of addiction, and each one poses its own series of risks. While drug and alcohol use often begins and voluntary behaviors, addiction prompts chemical alterations in the brain that affect memory, behavior and the perception of pleasure and pain. Conscious decisions turn into compulsive actions, and major health, financial and social consequences often follow.

• Health Consequences
• Physical Consequences
• Social Consequences
• Consequences for Adolescents

Health Effects of Substance Abuse

Compulsive cravings combined with prolonged substance abuse can prompt physical consequences throughout the body. Most substances will cause strain on the organs, as well as the venous and respiratory system after prolonged use. Many forms of addiction alter the users physical make-up, sometimes even just after few weeks of use.





Physical Effects of Substances Abuse include:

• Organ Damage
• Hormone imbalance
• Cancer ( caused by nicotine or steroid use )
• Prenatal and fertility issues 
• Gastrointestinal disease
• HIV/AIDS

In addition, the above medical concern, chronic use of certain substances can lead to long-term neurological impairment, such as exacerbating or giving rise to mental health problems.

Neurological and Emotional Effects of Substance Abuse include the following Mental conditions:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Memory Loss
• Aggression
• Mood swings
• Paranoia
• Psychosis

Legal Consequences Of Addiction

Many addictive substances are highly regulated and in certain situations, even banned by local and federal governments. This is done in an attempt to reduce the damage imposed by chronic substance abuse and to protect the well-being of Filipinos. Being caught with a large quantity of drugs could result in a prison sentence as long as 40 years. Civil lawsuits may come with it as well, depending on if the person had been distributing the substance.

Some of the Most Common Legal Consequences of Addiction are:

• Large Fines
• Extensive jail sentences
• Probation
• Arrests records that make it difficult to find a job
• Driver's license suspension and transportation difficulty
• Strict community service requirements
• Restrictions on living in certain communities

Social Effects of Addiction


Addiction is hard to hide. As chronic substance abuse continue, it will affect almost every aspects of the users life's. Their ability to concentrate may be diminished, their mood may fluctuate, and their interests will likely chance as drug cravings become compulsive.

In the other cases, the addicts social circle may shrink to the point where he or she continues to abuse substances on an individual basis, with very little human contact in between. The worst case scenario in this situation is the lonely person is at risk for suicide, and he or she may try to overdose on purpose.

• job loss
• relationship changes between both friends and family members
• aggression towards friends and family members
• divorce
• suspension or expulsion from organized activities such as sports team

Consequences of Adolescent Substance Abuse

Since teenagers minds aren't fully developed, addiction unusually hits them harder than it does most adults. Substance abuse almost always effect a teen's grades in school and attendance. These teens may be dismissed from sports teams, club or on campus groups or they may just voluntarily stop participating in those activities. 

Teens who abuse substances are at a disproportionate risk of sustaining a major injury , getting in a car accident and contracting  HIV/AIDS or other STD's . Additionally they are more likely to overdose than the adults because they commonly don't know their limits.
Besides overdosing, teens who abuse substances are also at an increased risk of death through:

•  suicide
• homicide
• accident
• grave illness

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA ) most people use drugs for the first time in their adolescent years and drug use ( by percentage ) is highest among in their late teens or 20s.