Our digestive system is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and getting rid of waste. It involves several organs, like our stomach, intestines, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. 

Some drugs can cause temporary discomfort and lead to nausea, stomach pain, and constipation or diarrhoea. See a health professional, like a doctor, if those symptoms continue.

The strain on the organs in our digestive system can make inflammation and disease more likely. Alcohol also prevents nutrients from being absorbed or processed, cause liver disease, and can cause cancer of the gut system. 

Some drugs, like alcohol, methamphetamine, and cocaine can also affect our eating and how well our body absorbs nutrients. 

Alcohol prevents thiamine (Vitamin B1) from being absorbed into our body and nitrous oxide inactivates Vitamin B12, both of those deficiencies can cause serious problems with your brain and nerve endings. 

Opioids can cause constipation. Regular heavy use of cannabis can lead to a condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, where people have prolonged nausea and vomiting.

 

Some useful checks are: 

  • Tracking your digestion. Take note if you experience changes in your urination and pooing (e.g. less or more often, pain, unusual sensations). You could eat corn and note when it appears in your stool to estimate how long it is taking food to pass through your system (usually 12 to 24 hours). 
  • Skin tone. Yellowing or pale skin can indicate liver issues or difficulties absorbing nutrients. 
  • Weight and energy levels. Sudden changes may indicate problems with nutrients being absorbed. 
  • Checking your poo. The Bristol Stool Chart is a visual guide to help you understand what your poo shape and consistency might say about your gut health. You can use this worksheet from the Gut Foundation. 
  • Belly pain, bloating, or swelling. 
  • Nausea and vomiting. 
  • Yellowing skin or eyes (also known as jaundice). This can indicate severe liver damage. 
  • Easy bruising or pale skin. 
  • Blood in urine or poo. Blood in poo may appear as red streaks or as black poo depending on where in your digestive system it comes from. 
  • Changes in bowel habits that don’t go back to normal (e.g. persisting diarrhoea or constipation). 
  • Signs of malnutrition. These can be fatigue, weight loss, muscle wasting, feeling cold often, slow recovery from illness, low mood, feeling irritable, and poor concentration. 

It can help to take note of these if these symptoms stick around or get worse, as that’s a sign to investigate further. 

Doctors are likely to talk with you about your symptoms and lifestyle before doing a physical exam. If you feel comfortable, sharing what drugs you have used with them can help them provide better care. It could prompt your doctor to screen for bowel cancer earlier, rather than waiting until you are older. 

They may: 

  • Do a physical exam, which can involve feeling your belly. This can help to identify if there are blockages, sensitive spots, or enlarged organs. It can also involve a rectal examination (checking inside your bottom) if that relates to your symptoms. 
  • Ask you to do some blood tests, depending on your situation. These may include tests for liver function, cholesterol, inflammation, diseases, lipids, and vitamin levels. 
  • Check for diabetes if that may relate to your symptoms. 
  • Ask you to do a stool (poo) test, if that relates to your symptoms. 
  • Ask you to get an ultrasound of your liver.