One of the most common side effects of drug addiction is brain damage, particularly acute brain damage as a result of an overdose as well as permanent organ and brain damage as a result of long-term abuse. Because drugs are created to target the brain, it’s no surprise that abusing drugs for long periods of time can cause brain damage and conditions like hypoxia. As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Stuart, we know that opioid drug abuse and hypoxia are closely related, not to mention life-threatening as well.
Hypoxia is a drop in oxygen levels in all or certain parts of the body, such as the brain. When the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, serious brain damage can occur. Brain cells are extremely sensitive to any drop in oxygen level and can even begin to die less than five minutes after the oxygen supply has been cut off.
The early signs of hypoxia include:
While the term “hypoxia” refers to a general lack of oxygen to certain areas of the body, there are four specific types of hypoxia:
Those who abuse drugs like fentanyl are at a higher risk of suffering from hypoxia; however, despite the possible damage that drugs can cause the body, people are still unable to quit. That’s because addiction is a chronic disease that is best addressed with professional care. At Banyan Detox Stuart, we offer an opiate detox that’s specifically designed to safely wean patients off the opioids they’ve been abusing.
While causes of hypoxia include situations like traveling at a high altitude or nearly drowning, it can also be caused by drug abuse. When it comes to drug abuse, hypoxia is the result of drug-induced respiratory depression, which is a breathing disorder characterized by shallow or ineffective breathing. Respiratory depression is one of the most common side effects of drug abuse and overdose. Respiratory depression, and subsequently hypoxia, occurs when opioids like fentanyl target the central nervous system and areas of the brain that control breathing, such as the brainstem. When respiratory depression kicks in, the person’s heart rate and temperature decrease, they lose consciousness, and they may begin to suffer from brain cell death.
While this may seem like an extreme case scenario, drug abuse and hypoxia are more common than you think. The United States has been in an opioid epidemic since the late ‘90s, which has resulted in billions of deaths nationwide. Addiction and the brain are linked because the brain becomes hooked on the effects of addiction. The pain-relieving and euphoric effects of opioids hook people into longtime use and make it difficult to quit. Even if you take prescription opioids as directed by your doctor, it’s important to remain cautious. Brain damage caused by drug addiction isn’t always reversible, and addiction doesn’t discriminate.
If you or a loved one struggles with drug addiction, call us today at 888-280-2360 to learn more about the levels of care we offer at Banyan Detox Stuart.
If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call us now!
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