Because drugs will not say “no” to you. Drug use is a serious global issue with more than 11.8 million people dying each year due to health effects of drug use. Most vulnerable to negative effects of drugs are children and adolescents. Even when drug use doesn’t result in death, there are many other serious effects which decrease one’s quality of life, impede professional development, and ruin social relations.

ALL substance abuse syndromes are linked with other mental health issues like major depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, etc. In some cases, other mental health problems are actually primary problems, while substance abuse serves as a “cover up”. DO NOT turn your psychological problem in a substance abuse problem. Instead seeking a short-term pleasure that will only make you feel worse quite soon, try to express your problems and talk about them- choose long-term pleasure. Choose life.

We will examine negative psychological and physiological effects of most “popular” substances:

1. Cannabis (Marijuana)

Lately, there has been much talk about this drug. Some countries decriminalize it, others don’t. Whatever the case, just because some countries legalized marijuana doesn’t mean that this is something completely safe to use (and abuse).

Chronic effects

Cannabis affects all cognitive functions (especially complex problem-solving skills). Adolescents are especially vulnerable to cumulative effects of cannabis abuse, and scientists have proven that cannabis use changes brain structure. The sooner the onset of addiction, the more drastic the brain changes. 

Anatomical changes are especially evident in frontal cortex, which is responsible for most complex cognitive functions. This part of brain develops until late 20s, and teens and adolescents who abuse marijuana risk to reverse this important phase of development. 

Respiratory problems are not uncommon, due to smoke inhalation. 

While some use cannabis in order to “blend in”, this drug actually reduces your ability to socialize with other people. Chronic cannabis users start to feel isolated, estranged, and alone even when surrounded by bunch of people. Pupils who abuse cannabis are likely to underachieve academically and professionally. 

Acute effects

First-time cannabis users often experience sudden onset of anxiety and paranoia. Some go on to develop delusions and experience hallucinations- in these cases cannabis may activate a psychosis which then needs to be treated in psychiatric clinics.

Unusually fast heart-rate is one of the most frequent acute symptoms, after which users experience an onset of drowsiness with drastically reduced reaction time. This is why cannabis use is linked with car accidents, and overall sloppiness. 

2. Cocaine 

Cocaine not only carries significant psychological risk of addiction, but it also severely endangers physical health, and especially cardiovascular system. Many students find out about their latent cardiovascular problems once they overdose on cocaine.

Once the heart muscle suffers significant damage, it’s next to impossible to go back to the previous level of functioning. 

As cocaine produces a short-lived euphoria-like effect, people who acquire an addiction often think that cocaine makes them more productive and socially more capable. This is a typical way people tell lies to themselves in order to justify the addiction. 

Acute effects

In a matter of minutes, users start to experience intense and short-lived euphoria. But they don’t simply go back to normal. After the effects subside, depression sets in. This is why most users tend to “re-dose”, which quickly leads them to a “drug-spree”. 

Chronic effects

Even people who have normal cardiovascular systems are likely to develop cardiac problems due to chronic cocaine consumption. Chest pain, dangerously high heart rate, high blood pressure, these are just some of the negative effects of cocaine addiction. 

Psychological problems are equally important- due to “high ups and low downs”, some users develop bipolar disorder (major depression+ mania). During the manic phase, users indulge in dangerous and impulsive behaviors (unprotected sex, fast driving, gambling, etc.).  

Finally, paranoid psychosis develops in most severe cases of abuse- although sensitive individuals may experience hallucinations and delusions even during their first use.