What Are the Risks Associated with Psychoactive Substances?
The use of psychoactive substances can pose several risks, including the development of tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Tolerance occurs when a person needs to consume higher doses of a substance to achieve the same effect, whereas dependence is characterized by the need to continue using the substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a more severe form of dependence, where the individual is unable to control their substance use despite negative consequences.
Other risks include acute toxicity, which can lead to dangerous symptoms such as respiratory depression in the case of opioids or hyperthermia with stimulants. Chronic use can result in long-term health issues, including liver damage from alcohol or cardiovascular problems from stimulants.
