According to WHO, around 3 million deaths were reported annually, out of which alcoholism caused 2.6 million deaths and other substances and drugs caused 0.4 million deaths.

Deaths due to substance abuse and alcoholism account for 4.7% of all deaths worldwide.  In 2019, 290 million people were alcohol dependent.

An addicted person not only destroys his physical and mental health but also becomes a “traveling bomb” for society due to crimes and violence.

The following are the causes that predispose an individual to addiction.

• Environmental and social pressure
• Mental disorders
• Personality traits
• Law and order situation
• Social and cultural values

Commonly used substances are;

• Alcohol
• Cocaine(Candy, Black rock)
• Methamphetamine(Ice, Speed, Crank)
• Cannabis(Marijuana, Bhang, Ganja, Skunk)
• Sleeping or Opioid pills and injections
• Hallucinogens(LSD, Mescaline, PCP)

During active addiction, weight loss is observed, which is commonly due to irregular and poor diet.

Almost all addictive substances alter brain centers. They reduce appetite which leads to nutrition and calorie deficit.

1. Alcohol;

Alcohol mainly disrupts GIT and associated organs. It also alters neuronal communication pathways, leading to mood disturbance and confusion. Other side-effects are;

• Nutrient Deficiencies(Esp. Vit. B-complex and Iron, leading to Anemia and other B-complex deficiency diseases)
• Electrolyte imbalance due to GIT disturbance
• Liver Cirrhosis or AFLD
• Pancrease Insufficiency(Leading to DM-type 1)

2. Opioids and derivatives;

They include codeine, morphine, alfentanil, fentanyl, and other derivatives.

GIT has abundant opioid receptors. Opioid use can lead to;

• Delayed emptying(feeling of early satiety)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• OIC(Opioid-induced constipation)
• Narcotic bowel syndrome.

3. Stimulants;

Cocaine has side effects;

• Vascular compromise of GIT leads to intestinal ischemia and perforation
• Altered appetite

Methamphetamines damage the intestinal barrier through cytokines, leading to inflammatory responses like IBD.

4. Cannabis;

Around 18% of American adults use marijuana. There is a limited study on the side effects of cannabis on GIT. Cannabis decreases intestinal mobility and can cause constipation.

Cannabis can also be used therapeutically to alleviate inflammatory conditions like IBD.

It can be done at home or in rehabilitation centers. Rehabilitation centers have specialized care for people with an addiction. It can be achieved by;

• Individual or group counseling sessions
• Behavioral therapy
• Medical treatment

It is worth mentioning that there is a likely chance of weight gain during rehabilitation, as various studies reveal.

Detox is the short form of detoxification. It is the removal of drugs and substances from blood through medical treatment.

The goal of detox is to prevent withdrawal symptoms during treatment or rehabilitation.

A detox may take days to months, depending on the nature of the substance that was used for addiction. Usually, opioids and heroin are considered safe during detox therapy.

Regular follow-up is the key to success in rehabilitation. Although there is are likely chance of developing the habit of addiction again. It can only be countered if one has made up a mind to quit addiction and follows up regularly.

Lifestyle changes and essential nutrition(a diet containing all the essential nutrients) are significant in rehabilitation. Usually, people start addiction when they don’t have enough food and they feel sick. Substances and drugs make them feel unaware of their suffering. A balanced diet will make them feel better physically and mentally.