Drugs and your health & wellness

Health and wellness are core necessities to wellbeing. It’s important to know the risks of substance use and the resources to help you live well.  

The number of drug overdose deaths (398) in Iowa more than doubled between 2020 and 2021. Opioids accounted for 73% of those deaths. 

Recovery from a substance use disorder can be hard. This may mean making habit changes or seeking help. Help could be counseling with a substance use specialist or mental health therapist. These types of help can help improve your health and wellness. 

Talk with your healthcare provider for ways to improve your health and wellness. You can also ask for advice from recovery supports or use telehealth support. Always pay attention to your personal needs. Remember, there is hope wherever you are. Stories of recovery happen every day. 

Drugs & your health

Substance use disorders can structural, chemical changes in the brain

Substance use disorders (SUD) develop when drug exposure causes changes in the brain. SUD is a brain disorder. SUD involves functional changes in the way the brain works. Specifically, those involved in reward, stress and self-control. These changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs. These changes cause the pleasurable feelings associated with being under the influence. This is why people with a substance use disorder feel compelled to use more, even if it causes them harm. 

Substance use disorders happen at different levels for different people. You can't predict how substance use will cause damage in the brain. There is no known "safe" threshold where damage can't occur. 

A drug's effect varies from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including:

• How much and how often you use.
• Type of drug you use.
• Your age and gender.
• Your health status and mental health status.
• Your family support system.
• Your family history. 

Substance use can increase the risk of other health conditions

Drug use and drug-related behaviors can impact your health. Substance use can increase the risk of:

• Lung or heart disease.
• Strokes.
• Cancer.
• Mental health conditions.
• Risk of contracting infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C.

There is hope and support for anyone with a substance use disorder. One study found that three out of four people who experience addiction will recover. We can help you get started toward recovery.

Substance use disorders are treatable

A substance use disorder (SUD) is not a moral failing, choice or character flaw. It is a brain disorder, and it's treatable. Research-base methods of treatment help people stop using drugs. No matter how severe the problem may seem, people with SUD can and do achieve and maintain recovery. That's good news!

It's important to know that recovery is unique to each individual. There is no one "right" way. There may be ups and downs and relapses. Recovery is a process of learning how to work against the impact of substance use. Recovery allows regaining control of individual's lives.

Avoiding risks

Reducing harms related to substance use

We all take steps every day to reduce the risk of harmful outcomes of our behaviors. We put on sunscreen to avoid sun burn. We wear seatbelts to protect us in case of a crash. We wash our hands to avoid spreading germs. We can do the same to reduce substance use related harms, including:

• Fatal or not-fatal overdose or drug poisoning.
• Infectious disease transmission (e.g. HIV and hepatitis C)
• Substance use disorders.
• Memory and learning problems.
• Physical health issues like heart disease, strokes, cancer, etc.
• Motor vehicle crashes.

There are many ways to reduce the risk of substance use-related harm. Tips for helping reduce harm include:

• Engage people who use or used substances (people with lived or living experience). This includes planning and implementing of programs, services, and policies.
• Provide services and resources that meet people where they are at, on their own terms.
• Know substance use is a complex behavior. Social determinants of health (e.g., housing, healthcare access, etc.) impact substance use.
• Focus on quality of life and well-being versus "abstinence-only."
• Provide services and resources with compassion and respect.
• Provide services and resources that are holistic and pragmatic. 

The rate of opioid usage in Iowa continues to increase annually. Knowing the signs of an opioid overdose and how to use naloxone can help save lives.

Examples of strategies to reduce substance use-related harm:

• Connections with overdose prevention education, screening, and counseling, including referral to treatment
• Distribution of opioid overdose reversal medications (e.g. naloxone). This includes individuals at risk of overdose and their family and/or friends.
• Distribution or referrals to disease and infection supplies and education.
• Education and reduction of stigma associated with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
• Education about Iowa's Good Samaritan Law. It encourages those who witness a drug overdose to stay and call 911 without the fear of being arrested, charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance. 

Misuse of prescription drugs is risky

Taking prescriptions other from how prescribed can be life-threatening or even fatal. It can also lead to addiction. Examples of misuse include:

• Taking more than directed.
• Taking pills prescribed to someone else. 

Prescriptions that are often misused include opioids, depressants and stimulants3.

There is help available for prescription misuse. Options often include therapy and medication. These methods can help you manage cravings and create new patterns of behavior.

Taking someone else's pills is a prescription for trouble. Unless you're taking a drug your healthcare provider prescribed just for you, you won't know if it's safe for your body.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can cause harm if misused

All drugs, even over-the-counter medications, have the potential to be harmful. OTC drugs are available to the public without a doctor's prescription. It is important to use OTC drugs as directed as there can be risks for not following the directions. Some over-the-counter drugs can cause serious problems or even death. 

The safest way to take OTC medication is as directed. Only use OTC's to treat the symptoms listed on the bottle.

Fake pills can cause real harm

Ordering prescription drugs on the internet could put your health and life at risk. Fake pills look almost the same as real prescriptions. These fake pills may also have the wrong ingredients. They may contain too much of a substance or have other harmful ingredients. You might not even know the pill is fake until it's too late. 

Anabolic steroids can be addictive, even though they do not get the user "high" like other drugs

Misusing steroids can lead to physical and psychological problems. These include:

• Breast growth in men.
• High blood pressure.
• Heart disease.
• Aggressiveness. 

Moderate-to-high doses can lead to mood disorders such as mania and major depression. About 32-percent of people who misuse anabolic steroids become dependent4. 

It is possible to overdose on cannabis

An overdose happens when a person uses too much of a substance. It reaches toxic levels in the body. Sometimes, an overdose can cause death or other medical problems. While a fatal overdose caused by cannabis (marijuana) is unlikely, it is not harmless.

Effects of using too much cannabis:

• Extreme confusion
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Panic
• A fast heart rate
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Increased blood pressure
• Severe nausea or vomiting

Substance use and driving

Drugged driving is dangerous, just like driving after drinking alcohol. The effects of specific drugs on driving skills differ based on how they act in the brain. Marijuana can slow reaction time, impair judgement and decrease coordination. Cocaine or methamphetamine can cause aggressive or reckless driving. Some prescription pills can cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired judgment. 

To lower your risk, have a designated driver or get a ride to and from parties where there will be drugs and alcohol. Talk about the risks of driving under the influence of drugs with family and friends. 

Substance use & brain injury

Brain injuries can lead to problems around the use of illicit substances. Screening for brain injury is a best practice. Especially for patients in any healthcare, community, and corrections-based setting. Brain injury screening tools assess a person's exposure to brain injury.