Impact of Addiction on Mental and Physical Health

Addiction is a complex and chronic mental health condition where an individual is dependent on a substance and cannot control their cravings towards it. Despite its negative consequences, regular usage makes it difficult for individuals to stop engaging with it. 

Addiction can involve substances such as drugs, drinks and nicotine or habits such as gambling, video gaming or the internet. There are various procedures to treat this condition, and it is a combination of deaddiction therapy, counselling, support groups, and, in some rare cases, medications. 

Addiction involves not just physical dependence but also psychological dependence. The body gets accustomed to that particular substance, making it hard to function without its involvement. An addicted person may experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to avoid or stop the substance use. It may give rise to further complications. 

Addiction impacts each individual differently, and these individuals must consult an expert to control it and even try to avoid the relapse that may occur in the future. 

How does addiction affect you mentally?

Substance use can impact your brain. Substance overuse can eventually cause changes in the brain’s structure. With time, it can also cause irreversible conditions and impact your daily life. These changes can affect cognition, memory, impulse control, decision-making, and mental health. 

• The impaired judgements and decision-making can make you reckless over time, leading to risky behaviours and neglecting responsibilities. 
• Addiction disrupts the pleasure centres in the brain, leading to emotional instability. Under this condition, the individual may tend to experience heightened anxiety levels, depression, irritability, and mood swings and face difficulty in regulating their emotions. 
• At times, addiction can also co-occur with other mental health illnesses, or those conditions may be an impact of addiction. The mental health conditions they are likely to face are Anxiety disorder, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), etc. 
• The prioritisation of substance over relationships may lead the individual towards social isolation, impacting their personal and other relationships. Isolation may further give rise to feelings such as shame, loneliness, and developing very low self-esteem. 
• Prolonged substance use can lead to cognitive impairment and impact educational and occupational performance, where the individual will have difficulty remembering things, paying attention during tasks and problem-solving. 

How does it affect you physically?

Addiction can impact you physically as well. The physical impact of addiction can affect each individual differently.  It depends on the substance, behaviour involved, duration and intensity of consumption, and individual’s health factors.

• Addiction can lead to various health issues and has an intensity to damage our vital organs such as the liver, heart, lungs and brain. Alcohol addiction can lead to liver cirrhosis. Similarly, long-term drug abuse can lead to damage to the cardiovascular system or lead to respiratory issues. 
• Addiction can also affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness, infections, and other diseases. Since it affects your immune system, recovery may take more time. 
• Addiction can impact your dietary habits because individuals may start prioritising substances over actual food. It can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, weight gain and other health issues. 
• Substance abuse can lead to impaired coordination, which may lead to the risk of accidents and injuries, especially if you are driving under the influence of any kind of substance. 
• Constant consumption of substances may lead to dependability, where you may start consuming higher doses to get the desired effect. It can lead to an increased risk of overdose.
• Prolonged substance use can also disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, fragmented sleep, and excessive sleepiness; this lack of sleep can lead to physical health problems, impaired cognitive functioning and overall well-being. 

Medically reviewed by Dr Sunitha MBBS, DPM (NIMHANS), DNB

Dr Sunitha serves as the Chief Psychiatrist at Agan Health Trichy. She specialises in Adult Psychiatry, and her fields of interest include consultation liaison psychiatry and women's mental health. With over 15 years of experience in the field of mental healthcare, Dr Sunitha has been instrumental in positively transforming the lives of many in Tamil Nadu. She is also a consulting psychiatrist at some of the reputed mental health institutions in Tamil Nadu.