Drug abuse and addiction affect nearly every aspect of an individual’s life. When a person falls victim to addiction, he or she completely loses sight of the person he or she once was. Interpersonal relationships become the second fiddle to obtaining and using drugs, personal goals and obligations fall by the wayside, and nothing is nearly as important as achieving the next high. The consequences of drug addiction are far-reaching – the good news is that many of these consequences can be reversed once a person commits to recovery. Interpersonal relationships are mended (and new ones are developed), personal goals are achieved and personal obligations are met, and life begins to take on new meaning. There are some consequences that cannot be reversed over time. If an individual has been struggling with a severe drug addiction that has lasted for years and years, there is a good chance that he or she has done irreparable brain damage in some capacity. According to the US National Library of Medicine, continuous drug use negatively impacts cognitive function and can have long-term effects on memory, learning, and reasoning. If you or someone close to you has been abusing drugs of any kind for any length of time, professional help must be sought before cognitive function becomes permanently impaired. 
More on Drug Abuse and How it Affects Memory
Numerous drugs affect memory and lead to memory loss – some lead to short-term memory loss, others can cause long-term problems with cognition. When medications are prescribed by a medical professional and taken exactly as they are prescribed, they generally do not result in any serious or long-term complications. However, abusing a medication of any kind can easily lead to a host of lasting issues, including a compromised ability to retain information. The above-listed medications are known to cause short and long-term memory loss when they are abused.
Does Drug Addiction Destroy Concentration and Memory?
If you are unsure as to whether or not you or someone close to you is abusing prescription medication or a drug of any other kind, there are several signs and symptoms to look for. The most common symptoms of drug abuse include the following: Some drugs that are known to lead to memory loss include:
- Opioid narcotics, both medications, and illicit opioids
- Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications) like Xanax and Valium
- Marijuana
- Barbiturates and prescription tranquilizers
- Some prescription antihistamines (allergy medications)
- Continuing to use drugs despite physical and psychological consequences (like memory loss and other cognitive issues)
- Using more drugs than intended for a longer period than intended
- Continuously spending money on the drug, despite financial difficulties
- Failing to meet personal obligations at work, at school, or home because of drug use
- Engaging in risk-taking behaviors while intoxicated, like driving while high or combining drugs with other chemical substances like alcohol
- Building a tolerance over time and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is suddenly stopped
The good news is that memory loss can often be reversed when a long-term program of drug addiction recovery is in place.
Evoke Wellness and Drug Addiction Recovery
If you have been abusing drugs and you have been experiencing frequent “blackouts” or issues with short or long-term memory, as a result, rest assured that entering into a long-term program of recovery will help remedy any cognitive impairments you are facing. However, you must decide to seek professional treatment sooner rather than later. Prolonging drug addiction and failing to seek the help you need can cause permanent cognitive issues, and can lead to more severe memory-related problems. If you are ready to take your life back and recover from drug addiction once and for all, call up Evoke Wellness today. We understand that committing to a program of addiction recovery can be overwhelming, which is why we remain available to guide you through every step of the process. We look forward to speaking with you soon and providing you with the help you need to get and stay sober.
