Illegal Drugs That Cause Hair Loss

Using illegal drugs can lead to a variety of severe health problems, including anxiety, liver and heart disease, kidney damage, and respiratory problems. Hair loss is a less commonly talked about side effect of drug abuse.

Drug abuse can cause a condition called alopecia. Alopecia is characterized by thinning hair all over the scalp. It is typically caused by damaged hair follicles. It’s important to know, that not everyone who abuses drugs will experience hair loss, and not all drugs cause your hair to fall out. However, let’s take a look at the illegal drugs that cause hair loss, and how to treat it.

At Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, we provide treatment and resources necessary to help people suffering from drug abuse recover and maintain long-term sobriety.

Using illegal drugs can lead to a variety of severe health problems, including anxiety, liver and heart disease, kidney damage, and respiratory problems. Hair loss is a less commonly talked about side effect of drug abuse.

Drug abuse can cause a condition called alopecia. Alopecia is characterized by thinning hair all over the scalp. It is typically caused by damaged hair follicles. It’s important to know, that not everyone who abuses drugs will experience hair loss, and not all drugs cause your hair to fall out. However, let’s take a look at the illegal drugs that cause hair loss, and how to treat it.

At Discovery Institute in Marlboro, New Jersey, we provide treatment and resources necessary to help people suffering from drug abuse recover and maintain long-term sobriety.

Drug Abuse And Hair Loss

Illegal drugs cause structural damage and interfere with natural hair growth. It occurs when hair follicles are shifted into the rest phase. The rest phase is part of the hair growth cycle.

There are three main stages of hair growth:

1. Anagen phase –  In this stage, your hair continues to grow.
2. Catagen phase – This is the resting phase. Hair growth doesn’t occur in this phase. It is also the transition before entering the telogen phase.
3. Telogen phase – This is the last phase and when shedding occurs. You usually lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. If you lose more than that, it is considered hair loss.

Structural Damage From Drugs

Abusing illegal drugs that cause hair loss leads to structural damage to the hair. Specifically, the drugs alter the keratin that makes up the structure of your hair. This causes damage and hair loss. Excessive drug abuse can weaken and break your hair by lifting it from its shaft. This can cause you to lose hair very quickly.

Hair Loss From Mental Health

If you abuse drugs, it is extremely stressful on your body and mental health. If you are a chronic drug abuser, long-term exposure to stress can lead to extreme hair loss. For most people, their hair is a source of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Losing your hair can be traumatic for some people. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-worth. Sometimes hair loss can worsen and even trigger mental health disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder (BOD) and trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).

What Drugs Can Make Your Hair Fall Out?

Excessive drug abuse can cause severe health issues. Numerous illegal drugs cause hair loss, including methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, and Adderall. But what makes these illegal drugs cause hair loss?

How Do You Reverse Drug-Induced Hair Loss?

It is devastating for men and women when they start losing their hair. They often become insecure, have low self-esteem, and struggle with depression. But, you need to know there are treatment options available.

There are ways to reverse drug-induced hair loss. Firstly, you have to quit using drugs and get into treatment. Additional treatments may include low-level laser therapy, nutrition guidance, and reducing stress.

The Best Foods For Hair Growth

Abusing illegal drugs that cause hair loss leads to nutritional deficiencies. Vitamins and minerals are important in the hair follicle growth cycle. Studies show that you increase hair loss if you are low in vitamins B12 and D, biotin, riboflavin, iron, and other nutrients.

Eating a balanced diet rich in these vitamins and minerals can promote hair growth, especially when recovering from illegal drugs that cause hair loss.

Treatment for Hair Loss Caused by Drug Use

If you’re abusing illegal drugs that cause hair loss, treating your hair loss isn’t as important as treating your addiction. Trying to regrow your hair while you’re still abusing drugs is counter-productive.

Focusing on your recovery first allows your body to recover from the damage of drug abuse and creates a healthy environment for your hair to regrow. Achieving recovery from drug addiction can be challenging but seeking professional help can you become drug-free.

Once you have rid your body of toxins and live a healthy lifestyle, you can start various holistic treatments for hair loss. Several treatments for hair loss include making lifestyle changes and reducing stress.

Lifestyle Changes to Reverse Hair Loss from Illegal Drugs

Getting plenty of rest, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are crucial to regrow your hair. To facilitate hair growth, your body needs to be in great health. Your body repairs itself while you sleep and helps reduce stress. Exercise increases blood flow, and a healthy diet increases hair growth with vitamins and minerals.

It can take time to make these lifestyle changes second nature. So, be easy on yourself. Make small changes every day, and you will start to see the results.

Stress Management to Regrow Hair

Stress can cause unexpected and excessive hair loss. For this reason, getting a handle on your stress levels is crucial if you want to regrow your hair. While it can be easier said than done, the following are ways to reduce stress.

• Meditation
• Spend time in nature
• Family time
• Yoga
• Self-care

While stress is part of life, changing the way you respond to it can support your recovery from illegal drugs that cause hair loss.

Receive Treatment For Drug Addiction At Discovery

Drug abuse takes its toll on your body. And when your hair starts falling out, it can make you seriously consider seeking treatment. At Discovery Institute, we understand that recovery is a challenging journey, and we are there to help you every step. Contact us today and find out how we can help you.