SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

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Abstract
Alcohol causes more gastrointestinal disease than other drugs of abuse. The effect of heavy drinking on deaths from gastrointestinal disease is considerable and remains significant even after the effects of smoking are considered. The effects of alcohol occur in almost all digestive organs. A synergistic relationship between alcohol consumption and smoking in oesophageal carcinoma has been recently described. There is considerable evidence in support of an association between smoking and peptic ulcer. The complications of intravenous self‐administration are primarily dependent on poor hygiene rather than on the pharmaceutical properties of drugs used, and consist of acute and chronic hepatitis and granulomatous liver disease. The things which cause greatest havoc to the gastrointestinal system are alcohol, tobacco, analgesics, and intravenous self‐administration. Alcohol causes by far the greatest morbidity and mortality and is associated with the most widespread damage to the digestive system.