Summarize the harmful effects that addictive behaviors can have on the six dimensions of health: physical, psychological, spiritual, social, intellectual, and environmental

Answer 1

Addictive behaviors can affect every dimension of health. Some harmful effects are:
• Physical health: Substance abuse takes a toll on every organ system in the body, increasing the likelihood of disease, disability, and premature death.
• Psychological health: Sometimes people begin abusing substances as a way of "self-medicating" symptoms of anxiety or depression. However, drugs provide only temporary relief. As abuse continues, shame and guilt increase, and coping with daily stressors becomes more difficult. Depression and anxiety are as likely to be the consequences as the causes of substance abuse.
• Spiritual health: Addictive behavior blocks the pursuit of meaning and inner fulfillment. Individuals lose their sense of self and connection with a higher power.
• Social health: Addictive behavior strains and eventually severs ties to family, friends, colleagues, and classmates. The primary relationship is with a behavior or a drug, and addicts become increasingly isolated.
• Intellectual health: The brain is a target of drugs. Under their influence, logic and reasoning break down. Impulses become more difficult to control. Judgment falters. Certain substances can lead to permanent changes in brain chemistry.
• Environmental health: Some drugs directly harm the environment because of their toxic nature. Abusers also pose threats to others around them because their behavior can lead to injury and damage.