The Effects Of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction impacts tens of thousands of people every year. The malady can have numerous significant, potentially life-impacting consequences that not only affect the addict but their circle of friends and family, as well as society in general. In fact, drug addiction can also influence:

Health Care Costs

Addiction to any type of substance may precipitate deleterious health manifestations that lead to increased health care expenditures. Drug dependency can exert an adverse impact over major organs such as the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys, brain and central nervous system. Chronic ailments of these organs and systems can have significant costs.

Crime Rates

Research conducted has shown that almost half of all serious, if not violent criminal offenses were committed by addicts. Those dependent upon various substances often have clouded judgment and need more of the substance to satisfy the body’s craving for it. When those two facts are combined, the direct outcome can be a major increase in crimes like murder, assault and armed robbery.

Accidents

Individuals under the influence stand at an increased risk of causing various accidents. Though such unfortunate events can occur almost anywhere, these mishaps often take place on streets and highways by addicted motorists. Information compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), suggests that anywhere from 10 to 22 percent of all automobile accidents are attributable to the negligence displayed by a motorist operating their vehicle under the influence.

Extended Personal Impact

The families, friends and co-workers of drug dependents often suffer undocumented burdens. The emotional, mental, economic and social toll of caring for an addict can have unintended consequences like divorce or separation. Furthermore, caregivers could miss significant work time that ultimately leads to their dismissal. Such action may result in significant financial hardships.

Child Neglect

Unfortunately, child neglect can be one of the more dire outcomes of drug dependency. Research compiled by NIDA declares that anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of all cases of neglect or abuse can be attributed to drug dependency of some form. In some cases, the children of substance abusers fall into the vicious cycle of substance abuse or end up placed into the foster care system.