Diseases Caused by Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Alcoholism and drug abuse are serious conditions. A part of the danger of alcoholism and drug abuse is drug related diseases. Drug related diseases are developed through abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse occurs when somebody becomes dependent on alcohol or drugs in order to get through each day.

Diagnosis

Drug related diseases linked to recreational drugs, like marijuana and heroin, can be harder to diagnosis because patients are less likely to be honest with doctors about recreational drug habits. Honesty is important for a correct diagnosis.

Types

Alcoholism and drug abuse can lead to many kinds of diseases such as neurological disorders (e.g., toxic neuropathy) and cardiovascular problems (e.g., high blood pressure or stroke). Drug abuse has been linked to serious infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.

Treatment

A lot of time the first step in treating drug related diseases is detoxification. Getting the patient sober allows the doctor to prescribe medication without having to worry about the patient mixing the prescribed medication with alcohol or other drugs.

Pregnancy

A pregnant woman who drinks or uses drugs endangers her baby. Drug use during pregnancy makes the child more vulnerable to having physical abnormalities and being mentally challenged.

References

• ACDE
• E-Medicine
• EMCDDA