How can addiction harm physical and mental health?

Experts Warn: Addiction's Toll on Body and Mind

Health authorities say addiction harms both physical and mental health through direct biological effects, comorbid diseases, and social consequences. Substance use, including alcohol, opioids, stimulants and nicotine, can damage the heart and lungs, weaken the immune system, and disrupt sleep and nutrition. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) note that chronic use increases risk of liver disease, cardiovascular events, respiratory failure and infectious diseases transmitted through shared needles.

Behavioral addictions carry risks as well; gambling, gaming and compulsive shopping can trigger severe stress, sleep loss and neglect of medical care. Mental health outcomes commonly include anxiety, major depressive disorder, memory and attention deficits, and increased suicidal ideation. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that co-occurring disorders are frequent, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Experts emphasize that neuroadaptations produced by repeated exposure alter reward pathways, impair decision-making, and heighten vulnerability to relapse. Those brain changes can make normal stressors feel overwhelming and reduce response to non-drug rewards, clinicians say. Social harms — job loss, housing instability and legal problems — amplify physiological stress, worsening hypertension and metabolic conditions.

Effective responses exist: timely screening, medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and integrated care for co-occurring disorders reduce harm and improve outcomes, according to professional guidelines. Public health leaders advocate expanding access to evidence-based treatment, naloxone distribution to prevent overdose deaths, and prevention programs that build resilience.

Clinicians urge anyone affected to seek confidential evaluation from qualified providers. Early intervention can reverse some harms and support long-term recovery, improving both physical health and psychological well-being. Advocates call for expanded insurance coverage, community-based services, workplace supports, and public education to reduce stigma and connect people with evidence-based care and recovery resources nationwide, promptly now.