Physical Consequences
Alcohol and other depressants can slow this vital function to dangerous levels, especially when combined with opioids or sedatives.
What is breathing/respiration?
Substance use may temporarily decrease uncomfortable feelings but can ultimately make this common emotional condition worse.
What is anxiety or depression?
Repeated lying, broken promises, and hiding substance use commonly damage this essential part of relationships.
What is trust?
Driving while impaired can result in this common criminal charge.
What is DUI/DWI?
Needing increasingly larger amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect is called this.
What is tolerance?
Methamphetamine can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure, raising the risk of these serious cardiovascular events.
What are heart attack and stroke?
Heavy methamphetamine use and prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to suspiciousness and the belief that others intend harm, known as this.
What is paranoia?
Substance use can cause people to withdraw from family, friends, and healthy activities. This is called what?
What is isolation?
Impaired judgment and slower reaction time increase the likelihood of these while driving.
What are crashes/accidents?
Physical and emotional symptoms that occur after reducing or stopping a substance are called this.
What is withdrawal?
Long-term heavy alcohol use can cause inflammation, scarring, and failure of this organ.
What is the liver?
Seeing, hearing, or feeling something that is not actually present is called this.
What is a hallucination?
Missing work, repeatedly arriving late, or being impaired on the job can eventually result in this consequence.
What is job loss/termination?
Substance-related behavior can contribute to arrest, probation, incarceration, or this court-related consequence involving children.
What are custody/child-welfare consequences?
A powerful desire or urge to use a substance is known as this.
What is a craving?
Chronic opioid use commonly causes this gastrointestinal problem, which can become severe
What is constipation?
Drugs can weaken this ability, leading a person to make risky decisions they might not otherwise make.
What is judgment/decision-making?
Money repeatedly spent on substances can contribute to unpaid bills, debt, eviction, and this broader category of problems.
What are financial consequences/financial instability?
Mixing opioids with alcohol or benzodiazepines dramatically increases the risk of this potentially fatal event.
What is an overdose?
Returning to substance use after a period of improvement or abstinence is commonly called this.
What is a relapse/return to use?
Long-term, frequent marijuana use can sometimes cause repeated episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain known as this syndrome.
What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)?
Severe substance-related disturbances involving hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or loss of contact with reality may be described as this.
What is substance-induced psychosis?
Continued substance use despite repeated interpersonal problems is one warning sign associated with this disorder.
What is a substance use disorder?
Substance impairment can increase vulnerability to falls, accidents, violence, unsafe sexual behavior, and other behaviors collectively described as these.
What are high-risk behaviors/safety risks?
After abstinence from opioids, this often decreases, making a previously used dose much more dangerous and potentially fatal.
What is tolerance?