Health Issues:

A state in which one experiences pain and is unable to perform normally is usually known as a health issue. A health issue, also known as a disease, occurs when the body’s regular metabolism is disrupted or impaired by a pathogen, a pollutant, or another factor.

These issues can occasionally be inherited, meaning the patient may inherit a specific gene from their parents and develop the ailment. Or might be obtained by the body as a result of outside influences. The patient is provided an appropriate treatment based on their needs after these health problems have been initially detected, allowing the body’s metabolism to return to normal. As a result, the patient is helped to recover from the illness.

Addiction and its Effects On Human Health:

Addiction is simply any form of extreme dependency on any substance or activity. It can be categorized into two types, behavioral and substance addiction. Addiction of any type can be highly problematic to the subject, their environment, and the people surrounding them.

The activity in question may seem enjoyable at first, but as the consequences begin to take hold, the body’s natural functioning changes, negatively affecting the subject’s physical and mental health.

Healthy Addictions:

We’ve always been instructed to consume food, beverages, and other activities in moderation and never to overindulge. In addition, we have been taught that all addictions are harmful and unhealthy. But, contrary to what we have been told, many addictions are not only acceptable but also good. A few examples of healthy addictions are drinking water, sleeping, awakening on time, eating healthy, keeping one’s body fit through exercising or playing sports, etc.

Behavioral Addiction and its Effect on Health:

Addiction characterized by compulsive actions is known as a behavioral addiction. Even when they don’t actually provide any benefits, one continues to engage in these persistent, repetitive actions. Such addictions include those to food, video games, gambling, shopping, plastic surgery, sex, and other vices.

The desire to experience a “high” from the behavior becomes so strong that the individual continues to engage in the activity despite negative consequences. People who struggle with behavioral addictions grow weary of their actions’ adverse effects on their own lives and those around them. Additionally, they might experience too large losses, such as monetary or interpersonal difficulties. What once appeared thrilling and fulfilling turns into a humiliating burden.

This burden may have adverse effects on one’s psychological and physical health. There’s a high chance that the subject won’t be able to stop thinking about the activity. Similar to how a shopper can be unable to function if they are always considering their next purchases. The brain’s continuous nagging to do that specific activity repeatedly may cause constant anxiety and depression. Worsening mental health can sap one’s desire to live or even cause one to consider committing suicide.

Behavioral addiction can take a toll on one’s existence. For instance, being addicted to trying out various kinds of food can cause health problems relating to bad cholesterol, digestion problems, sudden increase or decrease in weight, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Likewise, addiction to playing video games or the internet can cause low to extreme weakening of eyesight, exhaustion, dehydration, aggression, poor sleep hygiene, not being interested in studying/working, loss of relationships, educational or career opportunities, etc.

Effects of Substance Addiction on Health:

Substance addiction is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Therefore, different types of drugs can have different effects.

Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and permanent. They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance. Regardless of how the addiction looks, the subject is said to have substance addiction if they heavily rely on drinking/drugs and can’t stay sober for an extended period.

Substance abuse can severely disrupt a person’s life. A person addicted to alcohol/drugs can find it difficult to function without consuming the substance at least once a day. Continuous fluctuations in heart rate due to varying consumption can lead to death by a heart attack. Lack of drive and enthusiasm, weight gain or loss, recurring vomit, red eyes, decreased coordination, difficulty concentrating or remembering, slowed reaction time, anxiety, or paranoid thinking are some health-related issues of substance addiction.

Drug tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are frequently experienced by someone who is dependent on a substance:

Drug tolerance occurs when the body of the patient has become accustomed to the presence and effects of the drug, requiring more dosage to get the same results. When a person’s drug use is abruptly reduced or stopped, they may experience certain physical and psychological symptoms. This phase is known as drug withdrawal. On sudden decrease or halt in the substance intake, the body cannot handle the changes and often reacts drastically.

Health Issues And Addiction