Drug Abuse: Consequences and Dangers
Medicines are substances that can affect various functions of the human body. At first glance, medications seem to be a means that helps get rid of various diseases. However, due to the fact that the dosage of a medicine is of great importance, the same medicine can have both a beneficial therapeutic effect and severe harm to the body. There are therapeutic (medicinal), toxic (poisonous) and lethal (lethal) doses of drugs, and the difference between them can be very small.
Overuse of medications can lead to serious illnesses and often cause irreparable harm to health. Even types of medications that are seemingly harmless and available without a prescription can have serious consequences for the body if overdosed or used incorrectly. For example, exceeding the permissible dose of vitamins can cause disruption of the functioning of the kidneys and calcium metabolism, and long-term use of analgesics and antipyretic drugs can lead to disturbances in blood composition and damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive canal.
Uncontrolled and frequent use of medications, such as antibiotics, can lead to the development of allergic diseases and reactions, including life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. In addition, inappropriate use of antibiotics can worsen the disease and change its manifestations, making diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Abuse of sedatives and sleeping pills can also lead to the development of a painful addiction to them, accompanied by dysfunction of the nervous and other body systems. The effects of these medications may wear off over time and the dose may need to be increased to achieve the desired effect. An overdose of such drugs can cause mental disorders, fatigue, irritability, decreased mood, weakened memory and other problems.
Some drugs that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems are used as doping agents to enhance the physical and mental activity of the body. Uncontrolled and incorrect use of such drugs can lead to a state of addiction, requiring an increase in dose to achieve the desired effect. This can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Additionally, overusing medications can lead to side effects that can be very serious. For example, long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can damage the liver and kidneys, and taking hormonal drugs can change the hormonal balance in the body.
Additionally, drug abuse can cause various mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, restlessness, poor concentration, changes in mood and behavior, and suicidal thoughts.
Overall, medication abuse is a serious problem that can lead to many negative health consequences. Therefore, it is important to monitor the correct use of medications and not exceed the dosage specified in the instructions for use. If you have any problems with your medications, contact your doctor for advice and help.