Health Risks Associated With the use of Illicit Drugs and the Abuse of Alcohol

The use or abuse of alcohol and other drugs increases the risk for a number of health-related and other medical, behavioral, and social problems.

These include:

• Acute health problems related to intoxication or overdose (blackouts, convulsions, coma, and death).
• Physical and psychological dependence.
• Malnutrition.
• Long-term health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver.
• Organic brain damage.
• High blood pressure.
• Heart disease.
• Ulcers and cancer of the liver mouth, throat, and stomach.
• Contraction of diseases such as AIDS through the sharing of hypodermic needles.
• Pregnancy problems including miscarriages, still births and learning disabilities.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (physical and mental birth defects).
• Psychological or psychiatric problems.
• Diminished behavior (hangover, hallucinations, disorientation, slurred speech).
• Unusual or inappropriate risk-taking, which may result in physical or emotional injury or death.
• Violent behavior toward others, such as assaults and rape.
• Accidents caused by operating machinery while impaired.
• Impaired driving resulting in alcohol- and drug-related arrests, traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities; negative effects on academic or work performance.
• Conflicts with co-workers, classmates, family, friends, and other conduct problems resulting in disciplinary actions, including loss of employment and legal problems including imprisonment.