How Addiction Affects Physical Health
Addiction can also affect a person’s physical health. Many people can suffer long-term organ damage as a result of their substance use. For example, alcohol can cause irreversible liver damage that can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life.
Many drugs can also prematurely age a person. For example, many people who use meth can often look older than their chronological age because of a combination of a weakened immune system, a lack of self-care, and a dramatic amount of weight loss. There are cosmetic effects. Because cocaine is generally snorted up the nose, long-term use can damage the septum and lead to a nasal collapse.
People who inject substances are also at risk for infectious diseases. This is because those who inject drugs often share needles, which facilitates the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.
Even if a person doesn’t become sick or damage their organ, many can end up becoming generally weaker as a result of substance use.
This is why many drug and alcohol rehab centers come equipped with gyms and integrate exercise as well as holistic practices into their rehab programs.