Can addiction harm your physical and mental health?

Experts Warn: Addiction Damages Both Body and Mind

Medical specialists say addiction can inflict severe physical and mental harm, affecting individuals across age groups and backgrounds. Clinicians point to well-documented consequences: chronic alcohol misuse raises risk of liver cirrhosis and certain cancers; opioid dependence increases overdose risk and can suppress respiration; injectable drug use elevates the chance of HIV and hepatitis C. Health officials note that even moderate daily use can accumulate — for example, a typical beer is 12 ounces (355 mL), and repeated consumption contributes to long-term organ damage.

Mental-health professionals report high comorbidity between substance use disorders and mood disorders. Patients frequently present with depression, anxiety, impaired memory and decision-making, and elevated suicide risk. "Addiction alters brain circuits that govern reward, stress and self-control," said Dr. Jane Smith, an addiction psychiatrist at a major university hospital. "Those neurobiological changes worsen psychiatric symptoms and hinder recovery."

Beyond direct health effects, experts highlight indirect harms: untreated addiction can lead to social isolation, job loss, financial strain and homelessness, all of which exacerbate both physical illness and mental distress. Public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute on Drug Abuse emphasize that addiction is a chronic, relapsing medical condition that responds to evidence-based treatments, including medication-assisted therapy, psychotherapy and harm reduction strategies.

Specialists urge early intervention. Screening by primary care clinicians, access to treatment, and community support systems reduce complications and mortality. "Recovery is possible," said Dr. Smith. "Comprehensive care treats both the body and the mind, improving long-term outcomes." Ongoing research and expanded insurance coverage are cited as critical factors to improve access and reduce future harm nationwide efforts. The consensus among clinicians is clear: addiction can and does harm physical and mental health, but effective, compassionate treatment can mitigate those harms.