Physical Considerations for Treatment Complications of Alcohol and Drug Use and Misuse

The effects of chronic abuse of alcohol and/or other substances of abuse vary considerably, depending, for example, on the concentration and dose. Furthermore, other factors also may play a role, such as nutritional status, gender, and ethnicity. This chapter analyzes the main medical consequences related to substance abuse, namely alcohol, nicotine, opioids, cocaine, amphetamine, and benzodiazepines. The effects of these substances on the liver, gut, pancreas, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and endocrine system are analyzed and discussed. The link between substance abuse disorders and tumors is also reported, as well as the relationship between substances of abuse and nutrition and body composition.