The chemicals in drugs are designed to alter or bypass normal body functions, or numb unwanted sensations and heighten pleasurable sensations.  These chemicals are foreign to the human body, and can cause damage after even one use.  More significant health effects can occur as a result of long-term drug use, including mood shifts, depression, anxiety, reduced immune function, coma, stroke, heart attack and even cancer.

The Link Between Substance Abuse and Cancer

As the chemicals in drugs work to alter the normal functioning of the body, the body is weakened in its ability to remain strong and healthy.  In this state, cancerous cells can grow and spread.  Currently, there are two specific drugs that are known to cause cancer:

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant drug that can slow an individual’s nervous system and bodily functions and lead to changes in mood, concentration, judgment and coordination.  Excessive alcohol consumption is known to cause cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, colon and rectum and breast.  The amount of alcohol that is imbibed can increase the risk of cancer.  Because alcohol acts as a depressant, it can work to slow down the cells’ ability to repair damage caused by alcohol chemicals.

The liver works to remove alcohol from the blood, but it cannot metabolize excessive amounts of alcohol, and can become damaged, inflamed or cancerous. The risk of breast cancer in women can be increased with only a few drinks a week as this affects their estrogen levels.

Alcohol abuse has also been linked to an increased risk of colon and rectum cancer.  Colorectal cancer, an uncontrolled cellular growth in the colon or rectum, is often linked to excessive alcohol use.  Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the Nation and affects all racial and ethnic groups.

Marijuana

Depending on the amount smoked, marijuana can act as a stimulant, a depressant or hallucinogenic drug.  Along with a variety of health effects, marijuana is said to reduce sperm production and male fertility. It has also been linked to an increased risk of testicular cancer.  A recent study of men with testicular cancer showed a definite association between marijuana use and the disease.  The association between the drug and the disease proved even stronger when men studied had a long history of marijuana use.

Tips to Deal with the Health Effects of Drugs

Abstain from Drug Use

Trying to reverse the health effects of drugs while continuing to use them is like trying to rebuild the fire damage to a home while it’s still on fire.  The chemical interruption in the body must stop in order for the body to have a chance of righting itself.

Begin a Recommended Vitamin Regimen

Vitamins and minerals are depleted from a body through drug use.  These vitamins and minerals are important to the day-to-day functions of the body and the body’s ability to repair itself, and it’s therefore very important to replace them.

Eat a healthy diet

The human body has an incredible ability to maintain good health and repair damage if it is given the right tools to do so.  A healthy diet can do much for a body, providing protein, energy, and even additional vitamins and minerals.

Exercise

Exercise is important for a body to remain strong and healthy. Regular exercise can help the body flush out drug toxins and chemicals and restore normal operation.  It can also allow the individual to restore their mental and emotional health by getting outside, looking around them at others and at life instead of dwelling on past problems and emotions.

Counseling

One of the health damages caused by drug use is damage to an individual’s mental and emotional health.  Trained and experienced drug counselors can assist an individual in discovering why they used drugs in the first place and how to move forward into life without continuing their drug use.

Drugs can be difficult to withdraw and heal from, and it is highly recommended that the individual who is suffering from their use find professional help and support to help resolve their addiction and free himself from all the health effects of drugs.

Sources:

http://healthfinder.gov/NHO/MarchToolkit.aspx

http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2010/12/marijuana-linked-testicular-cancer

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/alcohol-use-and-cancer