ACCELERATED AGING BY DRUG USE
Drug addiction accelerates aging in addicts.
Addictive drugs have been shown to impair stem cell regeneration and potentate programmed cell death leading to accelerated aging.
Drug addicts are known to suffer many pathologies including cancer and elevated mortality.
Surveys of addicts aged between 19 and 45 years in Australia disclosed higher levels of infections, dental and mental pathologies and hair graying consistent with aging were present in addicts.
Degenerative changes related to aging like skin thinning, wrinkling, dementias, muscle wasting, cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disturbances were common in addicted populations.
(Source: Clinical Correlates of Accelerated Aging in Addiction, Reece S & Lavin M 2009)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This acceleration of aging in illicit drug addicts is clearly identified by observance and medical diagnosis.
Aging occurs by an increase in cell death in the brain and body.
Health costs to communities can be expected to increase with a high level of illicit drug use as seen in Australia.
Early intervention drug detoxification and rehabilitation is essential to contain the effects of accelerated aging in illicit drug users.
Court ordered and supervised compulsory detoxification and rehabilitation will forestall the effects of accelerated aging in drug users.
Detoxification and rehabilitation to get drug users free of illicit drug use is good public policy to forestall the costs of accelerated aging.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes. 39/2009