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What are the harms of drug dependence?

Nov 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
The harms of drug dependence include physical health damage, mental disturbances, impaired social functioning, financial burden, and potential drug abuse, causing multifaceted negative impacts on individuals, families, and society. If symptoms related to drug dependence occur, it is recommended to seek medical help promptly for professional intervention. Long-term drug dependence can increase the burden on internal organs.

Drug dependence can cause various harms, including physical health damage, mental disturbances, impaired social functioning, financial burden, and drug abuse, leading to negative impacts on individuals, families, and society. If symptoms related to drug dependence occur, it is recommended to seek medical help promptly for professional intervention.

1. Physical Health Damage: Long-term drug dependence increases the burden on organs, potentially causing liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular dysfunction, and may lead to drug resistance, reducing the effectiveness of treatment for underlying conditions or even triggering new physical illnesses.

2. Mental Disturbances: Users may experience emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Some drugs can impair cognitive functions, resulting in poor concentration and memory decline, with severe cases potentially leading to psychiatric disorders.

3. Impaired Social Functioning: Individuals with dependence often become overly focused on obtaining and using drugs, neglecting responsibilities at work, school, and within the family. Their social circle tends to shrink, making it difficult to function normally in society and often resulting in broken interpersonal relationships.

4. Financial Burden: Continuous drug purchases create significant expenses. Some dependent individuals may resort to illegal or unethical means to obtain drugs, increasing risks of criminal behavior and imposing economic and safety pressures on families and society.

5. Drug Abuse: Once dependence develops, users may increase dosages on their own or combine multiple drugs, greatly raising the risks of drug toxicity, allergic reactions, and life-threatening emergencies.

To prevent dependence, follow medical instructions strictly, avoid adjusting dosage or extending treatment duration without consultation; monitor physical and psychological changes during medication, and adjust treatment plans promptly if signs of dependence emerge; adopt healthy lifestyle alternatives such as exercise and psychological counseling to reduce reliance on medications.

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