Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Drug abuse may lead to mental deterioration
By Staff Writer
Repeated drug abuse can not only lead to addiction but brain deterioration as well, according to a recent study. The findings indicate that a number of drug users may have trouble recognizing certain emotions.
For the research, scientists from the University of Granada in Spain performed a neuropsychological evaluation of 123 abusers of multiple drugs and 67 non-drug users. The target population of abusers was comprised of individuals who used substances such as cocaine, cannabis, heroin, MDMA, methamphetamine and alcohol.
However, regardless of the type of substance they were abusing, 70 percent of this group showed signs of some type of neuropsychological deterioration. Regular abuse of alcohol, cannabis and cocaine has been said to affect a user's decision-making, working memory and reasoning.
Results from the study revealed that drug abusers have trouble identifying negative emotions by facial expression. This includes feelings of disgust, wrath, fear and sadness.
The researchers behind the study believe that these findings should be used to develop public health policies that would promote drug rehab programs designed for the neuropsychological profile of substance abusers.
