Will past experimentation with drugs lead to permanent brain injury?

Dear Reader,  

They say time heals all wounds, and while it may not solve every problem, it may help when it comes to substance use! It’s possible that substance use can affect brain structures and function. However, the most effective way to combat any long-term effects is to no longer use the substances.  

Over time, your brain may be able to heal some of the changes that occurred from substance use. How your brain heals depends on the brain area(s) affected and individual factors like your genetics and history of substance use. That said, people tend to experience the most rapid changes in the first one to three months of abstinence, depending on the substance. After around the three-month mark, healing tends to slow down but seems to continue.  

What is a substance use disorder (SUD)? 

Substance use disorder (SUD) is often defined as the intense and uncontrollable need to use a substance regardless of the harmful effects the person may experience. This is also known more commonly as a drug addiction. SUDs aren’t limited to any one substance and can present differently in different people. That said, it’s usually always identified by the consistent urge to use some sort of substance(s) whether it be everyday or even multiple times a day. 

What are the long-term effects of pills, hallucinogens, and alcohol? 

Long-term effects of substance use often are the most studied in people with SUDs. This includes prescription pill, hallucinogen, and alcohol use. For long-term prescription pill misuse, there’s an increased risk of addiction and potential overdose, which can lead to death. The most frequently misused prescriptions include opioids, anti-anxiety medicine, and stimulants. However, since there are many kinds of prescription pills, the risks associated with misuse will vary and depend on the type that you used. 

Long-term effects of ecstasy may include stomach issues that come from overproduction of serotonin. Hallucinogens like LSD and ‘shrooms may cause hallucinogen-persisting syndrome (HPPD) where people experience hallucinations months or years after taking. They may also include serotonin syndrome and an increased likelihood of bad trips the more you take them. 

Heavy drinking damages nerves in your arms and legs, harms your gut, and weakens your heart muscle over time. It also increases your risk of heart disease and impairs your immune system's ability to fight infections. Alcohol has strong links to multiple types of cancer, affecting your body both when you drink occasionally and when you drink regularly. 

What are the long-term effects of substance use on the brain?  

Some studies also note that SUDs can cause physical shrinking of the brain. This can lead to challenges with decision-making, memory, managing emotions, and coordination. It can also damage the blood-brain barrier, which makes it harder to control what substances interact with your brain. This can lead to inflammation and long-term brain issues even after drug use stops. Lastly, it also reduces blood flow to the brain and weakens both the reward system and the ability to focus on things other than drugs.  

What are factors that contribute to the long-term effects of substance use? 

The age you start using substances may affect how it changes your brain. Some substances seem to have more notable effects when you start using them as an adolescent. For example, alcohol can impact the parts of your brain that control things like thinking, learning, and memory. Marijuana use in adolescence has also been linked to depression and anxiety.  

What can you do to reduce long-term effects of substance use?   

The most effective thing you can do is to stop using substances. However, it isn’t clear whether reducing substance use will improve brain function. Even so, you might experience other changes in how your body feels and functions by reducing your substance use. If you find yourself struggling with substances, consider seeking support from resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  

If you still have concerns about lasting effects of drugs, consider talking with a health care provider. They can offer more tailored support and give you information that may be useful in maintaining your healthy lifestyle.