Short and Long-term Effects of Substance Use/Abuse/Dependence

Running head: ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
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1ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Short and Long-term Effects of Substance Use/Abuse/Dependence
Type of Substance Short-term effects Long-term effects of prolonged use
and abuse
Barbituates and
Benzodiazepines
i.e. tranquilizers,
hypnotics, sedative
(Nembutal, valium,
zanax, halcyon)
Short-term effects:
 Relief from Anxiety
 Relief from Insomnia and
sleeplessness
 Increased feelings of
relaxation
 Depression of the central
nervous system leading to
decreased inhibitions and
feelings of euphoria or
increased happiness
(Michelucci & Pasini,
2015).
Long-term effects
 Unpleasant emotions of
irritability, anger and
annoyance upon withdrawal.
As noted by Walsh and Katz (2016),
additional long term effects include:
 Increased levels of fatigue or
lethargy
 Loss of consciousness in high
doses or prolonged use
resulting in damage to the
brain or organs and coma
 Difficulties in breathing that
can develop into pneumonia or
bronchitis
 Irregularities in the menstrual
cycle
 Loss of memory for short even
longer time periods
 Renal or hepatic diseases
 Lack of controlled body
movements resulting in
twitching or uncoordinated
motor functions
 Reductions in the span of
attention
 Increased risk of
cardiovascular diseases
 Sexual dysfunction
 Gradual slowing of reflex
movements
 Increased possibility of
developing a physical
dependency
 Feelings of vomiting and
nausea
 Gastrointestinal disorders
such as diarrhoea or
constipation

2ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
Type of Substance Short-term effects Long-term effects of prolonged use
and abuse
 Blurring of vision
 Vertigo and headache
Chronic usage can further result in
(Alghamdi et al., 2018):
 Increased sweating,
palpitations and sensitivities to
pain and sound.
 Suicidal thoughts and ideation
towards suicide
 Slurring of speech or stupour
Opiates
i.e. heroin,
morphine, codeine
Short-term effects
 Relief from pain
 Feelings of Happiness
and Euphoria
 Feelings of drowsiness
 Sedative effects (Beltran-
Campos et al., 2015)
Long-term effects
As noted by Cruz and Granados-Soto
(2016), long term effects include:
 Feelings of vomiting and
nausea
 Gastrointestinal disturbances
such as bloating, constipation
and distension of the abdomen
 Damage to the liver (increased
susceptibility in situations of
combined usage of opiates and
acetaminophen
 Prolonged use may result in
reduced oxygen supply
resulting in hypoxia, depressed
respiratory functioning and
damage to the brain
 Increased levels of tolerance
and dependence with
prolonged use
 Increased feelings of paranoia
Amphetamine and
Cocaine
i.e.speed, ice, crack
Short-term Effects
 Elevated levels of Arousal
 Quick and sudden
elevations in energy
levels
As noted by Fischman and Foltin
(2016), short term effects
include:
Long-term Effects
 Prolonged use may result in
Amphetamine psychosis –
which produces symptoms of
hallucination, mistrust and
paranoia similar to paranoid
schizophrenia
 Increased levels of tolerance
resulting in feelings of
cravings towards the drugs