Drug abuse is a sure fire way of damaging your appearance. Whether it is brief or prolonged, it is bound to have negative effects on the way you look. Drugs are ingested in a number of different ways and they are made up of a widely varying array of substances, but because they have profound effects on the brain and the body’s systems, there are noticeable similarities in the devastation they cause to people’s physical appearances.

One effect that nearly all drugs, legal and illegal, have on a person’s appearance when they are abused is the destruction of the skin. Mild drug abuse can cause break outs, swelling, the constriction of blood vessels and other skin irritations, while heavy drug abuse can be responsible for visible sores, skin erosion and spots, depending on the type of drug. It is also common to see skin discoloration in the form of yellowing or graying due to the carcinogens and toxins found in many drugs.

Many drugs do damage to the teeth and mouth. A number of drugs yellow the teeth, while others actually cause decay and eat away at the enamel. Mouth sores, bad breath and discoloration of the flesh in the mouth can also occur.

Drug abuse is frequently the cause of weight fluctuation for a number of reasons. Most drugs have some kind of effect on the appetite and on the metabolism. Marijuana, for example, tends to increase the appetite, causing overeating, while a number of heavier drugs reduce the appetite and substantially cut back on food intake. Drugs can subsequently be the cause of muscle deterioration, due to the distraction they can cause an exercise regimen, and due to the presence of toxins in the blood stream.

If you or someone you know is declining in physical appearance due to drug use, substance abuse treatment is the most reliable way of stopping the problem before it does permanent damage.

If you do not believe that alcohol is bad for you when consumed too heavily, just take a long hard look at your reflection in the mirror after a weekend of binging. Take note of the dryness, redness and puffiness of your skin, the dark circles beneath your eyes and the strained blood vessels in your eyes. You will probably be shocked by what you see. Physicians agree unanimously that abusing alcohol, even if just for a night, is damaging to your health and your appearance. The effects are visible immediately, albeit subtle, but the long term effects can be permanent.

The skin suffers immensely from alcohol abuse. Some alcoholic beverages have health benefits when ingested in moderation, such as red wine. But most alcoholic beverages have little to no health benefits, and are toxic to the system when abused. Alcohol restricts the  skin’s blood vessels and prevents circulation so that pores become clogged, and oxygen and nutrients cannot replenish the skin. This causes the redness, swelling and irritation that many people have observed in their reflection. It is also, of course, extremely dehydrating. Hydration is essential to bodily health and a healthy appearance. When the skin is stripped of it, the aging process is quickened and skin becomes damaged more easily. Alcohol abuse is also known to aggravate skin conditions and diseases. It worsens acne, rosacea and psoriasis to an unmanageable point when it is heavily or regularly abused. This same effect of constricted blood vessels and dehydration effects the vibrancy of the eyes and the healthy shine of the hair as well.

Prolonged alcohol abuse progresses the effects listed above, as well as causing weight gain in a large number of people and muscle deterioration due to the lifestyle that accompanies alcohol abuse. When someone repeatedly abuses alcohol or becomes an alcoholic, the addiction to it consumes their life and makes them devalue healthy practices such as getting exercise.