What are the consequences of prolonged substance abuse and dependence?
Overdose, physiological reactions (e.g., arrhythmia), nausea, paranoia, poor decision making (e.g., risky sex), risk of injury or death, driving-related accidents, and legal consequences are a few of the immediate consequences of substance use.2 Substance abuse can have negative secondary effects on others, such as family members and fellow service members (e.g., failure to perform responsibilities and interpersonal conflicts related to intoxication). Even though you might not be experiencing immediate negative consequences, you may experience problems down the road. Some of the long-term consequences of substance use include: social, financial, and legal problems, neurological impairments, cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and reproductive disorders.2 It is important to recognize that the long-term consequences of substance abuse and dependence far outweigh the benefits of the immediate “rewards” of using the substance.
