Substance abuse can cause significant damage to a personal mental and physical health, and it is not uncommon for a person with a substance abuse disorder to be in a life-threatening crisis, either to themselves, or to others. 

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Substance abuse can cause significant long-term damage to a personas physical health, as well as significantly affecting a person's mental state. Physical dangers can include:

• Lung disease
• Organ failure
• A compromised immune system
• Effects on blood pressure (hypotension / hypertension)
• Heart attack and heart failure
• Foetal abnormalities
• Loss of control of motor movements
• Gastrointestinal issues

COMMON TYPES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• Tobacco and Cigarette Abuse - because it is not illegal, many people do not regard tobacco use as substance abuse, but it causes profound long-term physical damage to the body, mental damage to the user, psychological damage to the user's loved ones, friends and family if they become ill from it, and any form of addiction is classed as a mental illness.
• Cannabis Abuse - While the use of cannabis in some countries is legal, cannabis is often abused.
• Cocaine Abuse - cocaine can be inhaled, smoked or injected, and is often abused for its euphoric effects.
• Over-the-Counter Medicine Abuse - Many cough and cold medications, as well as medicine used for motion sickness can cause hallucinogenic and stimulant effects if abused. Also over the counter pain relief is often abused.
• Opioids Abuse - Opioids have a powerful pain-relieving effect, which is why many people abuse them. Dependency on opioids is generally very quick and severe, and can cause significant damage to both mental and physical health.
• Ecstasy and MDMA Abuse - A commonly abused drug within the night time economy, Ecstasy and MDMA are used to increase energy, relieve stress, induce a feeling of calm, and increases euphoria.
• Hallucinogenic Abuse - although not as highly addictive as many of the substances covered above, hallucinogenics are used to curb serotonin, which in turn induces euphoria. Hallucinogenics can be extremely dangerous.

Withdrawal Symptoms for people with substance abuse can include:

• Tobacco and Cigarettes - Dizziness, surge in appetite, coughing, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, a craving for tobacco.
• Alcohol - Anxiety and depression, irritability, tremors, sleep issues, excessive sweating, delirium, palpitations, increased heart rate, a higher than normal body temperature, hallucinations, a craving for alcohol.
• Stimulants - Depression, anxiety, mood swings, agitation, nervous exhaustion, physical exhaustion. Craving for stimulants.
• Opioids - Body shaking, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, nervousness, irritability, confusion, sweating, muscle cramps, a craving for opioids,
• Benzodiazepines - Insomnia, irritability, confusion, forgetfulness, anxiety, panic attacks, sweating, headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, tremors, seizures, a craving for Benzodiazepines.
• Hallucinogenics - Seizures, muscle stiffness, sweating, increased heart rate, raised body temperature, slowed breathing rate, a craving for hallucinogenics.
• MDMA - Agitation, mood disorders, heart failure, heart palpitations, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, lack of concentration, sleep disorders, fatigue, impulsivity.