Drug and Substance Induced Disorders

As we already know, the drugs They affect our body in different ways and lead to various alterations in our physical and mental health.

When there is a substance abuse, we can suffer intoxication and the "famous" withdrawal syndrome, but there are also some disorders that are directly related to habitual drug use. This article focuses on the latter: substance-induced disorders.

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The complexity of the effects of drugs

The abuse of any drug affects our daily activity and performance. It modifies our behavior, our perception, our sociability, causes deterioration and changes physiological, social, affective, work, and affects most of the important life aspects of the person.

However, neither the immediate harmful effects of drugs nor the consequences that may remain after their use are not always expressed in the same way. Yes indeed: the imprint that the drug leaves on our body has to do with both intoxication and withdrawal.

Intoxication and withdrawal

When we talk about substance-induced disorders, we refer to the effects produced by both intoxication and withdrawal.

• Poisoning is the direct effect of recent ingestion of the substance. It produces psychological changes or maladaptive behaviors due to the effect of the substance on the central nervous system.

• By abstinence we understand the specific syndrome of the substance due to its reduction or cessation in prolonged consumption or in large quantities.

Both intoxication and withdrawal cause clinically significant discomfort in the individual, as well as a deterioration in the activity of important areas of his life (social, work, etc.).

The types of substance-induced disorders

Below you can see some disorders induced by drugs and toxic substances, and their characteristics.

1. Delirium

Delirium can appear both due to intoxication and withdrawal from the substance.

Causes an alteration of consciousness and perception, as well as changes in cognitive functions (memory, orientation, language, etc.). These affectations usually appear in a short period of time (hours or days).

Classically, delirium is caused by the consumption of alcohol, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, inhalants, opiates, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics.

2. Dementia

When we talk about substance-induced dementia, this is manifested through a clear cognitive impairment, that is, the person is affected by their memory, language, motor activity, the execution of various tasks, etc. They will show difficulties in learning new information or in remembering what they have learned, they will have failures in the recognition of objects or when planning or organizing ...

All these deficits represent a significant reduction in the level of activity of the person prior to the disorder, which will affect their daily life, in different areas. (social, labor ...).

The substances that produce it are alcohol, inhalants, sedatives, hyptonics and anxiolytics.

3. Psychotic disorders

In relation to psychotic disordersThese can start during intoxication or during withdrawal. When this disorder is expressed, the person will suffer from hallucinations or delusions, a catatonic behavior pattern will appear and a disorganized use of disorganized language. These conditions can lead to social and work deterioration. Symptoms appear during or in the month following intoxication or withdrawal.

The substances that induce the appearance of this disorder are alcohol, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, inhalants, opiates, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics.

4. Mood disorders

If we refer to mood disorders as well are evident during intoxication or during withdrawal.

During their expression they may appear depressive symptoms and / or manic (high, euphoric, or irritable mood). Symptoms cause significant clinical distress and significant impairment in important areas of the person's activity.

Substances associated with mood disorders include alcohol, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, inhalants, opiates, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics.

5. Anxiety disorders

Finally, the anxiety disorders They can also occur in both phases: intoxication or withdrawal.

This group of disorders will be differentiated according to the prevalence of anxiety, anguish, obsessions and compulsions, waves phobias. The symptoms will be those characteristic of the specific disorder (palpitations, tremors, afraid, excessive worry, recurring thoughts, irritability, etc.).

They are produced by the consumption of alcohol, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, inhalants, opiates, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics.

Qualifying

Notably the degree to which a disorder is more or less caused by previous substance use is to some extent impossible that affect our nervous system. Habits linked to drug use (or the amount of a single use) and drug use come into play. genetic predispositions and the autobiographical history of each one, which leaves traces in our brain.

However, one thing is certain: the best way to avoid developing these disorders is simply to stay away from drugs.