Tommy Recovery Coaching

What Are the Consequences of Drug Abuse?

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of the legendary musician Elvis Presley, passed away in early 2023. A year later, her talented daughter Riley Keough published From Here to the Great Unknown, a memoir she co-authored with her mother about Presley’s turbulent life. Beyond the tragic overdose death of her father, the “King of Rock,” to her bizarre marriage to Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” Presley also struggled with a terrible opioid addiction for many years. In the book, Keough explained that most of the turmoil in her mother’s life was caused by the many negative effects of substance abuse, including the following.

Making Bad Decisions

Presley’s life was bookended by four scandalous marriages that ended in divorce. In Keough’s memoir, which features entire chapters based on audiotapes recorded by Presley, readers can sense the deep regret of rushing into relationships she knew were doomed from the beginning. 

Substance abuse was at the heart of her marriage to Jackson and Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage. Presley also made bad decisions while managing her father’s sizable estate, which she partially sold at deep discounts. Succumbing to negative impulses is a hallmark of substance abuse and addiction.

Adverse Health Issues

Presley died after a cardiac arrest episode caused by an obstruction in her small bowel. She had been recovering from a bariatric surgery procedure conducted to alleviate various digestive issues caused by opioid abuse. 

All psychoactive and stimulant medications will produce adverse health effects when they’re abused. One of the issues Presley contended with was gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach doesn’t empty properly, thus causing bloating, vomiting, and constant nausea.

Chemical Dependency

Not everyone who drinks too much or takes more drugs than they should will become neurochemically addicted, but it happens to many people. In Presley’s memoir, she explains being devastated by her father’s death when she was nine years old, thus sparking a morbidly curious desire to learn about drugs. 

By the time she gave birth to twin girls in 2008, Presley was a functioning opioid addict, and then things got worse. One of the reasons people retain sober lifestyle coaches such as those who specialize in Carlsbad addiction recovery is because they fear falling into chemical addictions. Presley was addicted to stimulants before opioids, but she was able to recover from her psychological dependency on prescription amphetamines.

Long-Term Effects on Thought Processes

Beyond the immediate negative consequences, which include memory loss, skewed perception, dangerously low inhibition, and impaired judgment, there are many long-lasting effects of substance abuse. In Presley’s case, getting into disastrous relationships was an example of a form of cognitive decline that begins with poor judgment but can turn pathological after a couple of years. 

Chronic substance use disorder can cause gradual brain damage that ultimately affects memory, learning, and problem-solving skills. All the risks associated with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, dissociation, and psychosis are exacerbated in people who chronically engage in substance abuse. 

If someone you know is facing the challenge of addiction, consider reaching out for professional support from an interventionist. Carlsbad addicts who receive this guidance often find it’s a crucial element in beginning a successful and sustained recovery journey. Carlsbad residents can trust the expertise and experience of the compassionate team at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. We know precisely what it takes to get sober, stay sober, and live the healthy lifestyle you deserve. We specialize in working with clients with active addictions as well as clients already in recovery. Our sober coaches provide encouragement, accountability, insight, and understanding through our own recovery experiences. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.