4 Ways Drugs Damage the Kidneys
How the Kidneys Function
The kidneys’ main role is to filter blood, detoxifying and removing excess waste as urine, which then travels to the bladder. They also maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body (sodium, potassium, calcium, acid, and magnesium), preventing waste buildup in the blood, and producing hormones to keep blood pressure stable, make red blood cells, and keep bones strong.
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Drugs That Can Damage Your Kidneys
The kidney processes all drugs and alcohol like a toxin and can be injured or damaged by drug use. There are several drugs that can damage your kidneys, affecting their ability to filter blood and expel waste, especially after long-term, chronic use. It is not only chronic drug addicts that suffer from kidney diseases, these issues causing it include legal and illegal substances like:
Tobacco – Smoking causes a sped-up progression of kidney disease for people with pre-existing conditions, and is a contributor to the development of renal lupus, kidney inflammation, and the narrowing of renal arteries, affecting blood flow. Nicotine is also a toxin that damages kidneys, and it also increases blood pressure, increases the risk for kidney diseases, and increases the risk of kidney failure in people with diabetes and other co-occurring conditions.
Painkillers – Long-term use or overuse of acetaminophen, an ingredient in many over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol, as well as in opioid painkillers like Vicodin and Percocet, can cause two types of kidney damage: chronic kidney failure, and analgesic nephropathy, a serious condition that requires a kidney transplant or dialysis.
Heroin – Heroin use causes someone to have a decrease in breathing and heart rates that can lead to overdose, coma, and death. These effects can also cause dehydration, acidosis, low blood pressure, and oxygen deficiencies that break down muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis), resulting in kidney problems. Intravenous heroin use also comes with risks of contracting bacterial and fungal infections and can cause a protein buildup in the organs, situations that lead to kidney inflammation that causes renal failure.
MDMA – MDMA is a party drug that causes the body temperature to rise to dangerous levels, leading to the breakdown of muscle tissues (rhabdomyolysis). It can also make hypertension or high blood pressure conditions worse, resulting in acute renal failure or injury to the kidneys.
Inhalants – People who inhale household products like glue or cleaning products to achieve a high are also inhaling toluene, a toxin that causes kidney lesions and acid build-up in the blood, conditions that can lead to kidney disease and failure.
Cocaine – Cocaine abuse is harmful to your kidneys as it causes muscle tissue breakdown that leads to kidney issues, which is why many people end up in the hospital due to cocaine-related complaints having kidney failure. Cocaine use can also lead to renal infarction and a plaque buildup in the kidney walls, disrupting blood flow and damaging kidney tissues.
Alcohol – Any alcohol consumption will aggravate the liver, resulting in indirect harm to the kidneys, and drinking heavily or binge drinking will contribute to kidney toxicity, damaging the organs. Alcohol use also causes electrolyte and fluid imbalances, low blood acidity, or dangerously high blood acidity.
Kidney Diseases Caused By Drug Use
When you use drugs and alcohol, most of these substances are filtered and excreted through the kidneys. When kidneys are exposed to toxins, their functioning may be compromised, and the more damaged the kidneys become, the more prone to toxicity from drugs they become. If a person becomes tolerant to a drug and begins to take more to achieve a high, this amplifies the damage to the kidneys. Damage may include:
1. Acute Kidney Failure
Acute renal failure (ARF), or drug-induced renal failure (DIRF), which is a serious disease characterized by a sudden loss of kidney function, resulting in imbalances of electrolytes, fluids, and acids in the blood, and causing the body to hold in waste products like creatinine and urea, rather than expelling them. Symptoms of ARF include fatigue, difficulty eating, nausea and vomiting, itchy skin, and a confused mental state. Shortness of breath and seizures may also occur. Drug use is one of the many cases of acute kidney failure.
Renal impairment can be reversed if the drug use is discontinued immediately, but it may still require long-term treatment or multiple treatments, including hospitalization.
2. Kidney Lesions
A kidney lesion is an area of abnormal tissue, that may be benign cysts or lesions, or cancerous masses, found on the kidney. One in four kidney masses is benign, with the other 75% being diagnosed as kidney cancer.
Any kidney injury or damage done to kidney cells can lead to abnormal growth over time, and drugs like cocaine and heroin are often cut with cancer-causing substances like Phenacetin that have been linked to kidney cancer
Treatment for non-cancerous kidney lesions is often surgery, or your doctor may opt to leave it if it is not growing or if surgery would be dangerous for you as a patient, providing active watching for any changes or kidney complications. If the lesions are cancerous, surgery or another appropriate course of treatment will be recommended.
3. Renal Infarction
Renal infarction is an interruption of normal blood supply to the kidney due to blood clots, scarring, or vasculitis. When blood flow is restricted, tissue damage occurs, impairing kidney function and causing renal disease. A renal infarction itself is rarely a deadly disease, unless you only have one kidney, or are on the brink of renal failure. This condition may cause other health issues like hypertension and can create an environment that is more conducive to strokes and heart issues later on.
Renal infarctions due to drug use are usually associated with cocaine because of the cardiovascular issues cocaine can cause, although heroin, MDMA, and amphetamines have also been linked to this condition.
4. Liver Disease
The liver is a blood filter like the kidneys, metabolizing fat-soluble drugs into water-soluble forms that can be passed out of the body through the urine and bile. The liver is good at its job, but when it has multiple substances that are taken at once or if a person uses them in excess, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) occurs.
This includes:
- Drug-induced hepatitis – the liver becomes inflamed, and cannot metabolize the substances correctly
- Cirrhosis – irreversible scarring of the liver blocks blood flow and inhibits proper functioning
- Alcoholic hepatitis – co-occurs with cirrhosis, and is fatal in 30% to 50% of cases, with high blood pressure in the liver, bleeding issues, brain dysfunction due to toxins in the blood, and a high rate of developing secondary infections
Liver disease may be caused by drugs and alcohol, and even herbs and dietary supplements. People who take too much acetaminophen, drink too much, or use illicit drugs will develop liver injuries.
People who have the liver disease have an increased risk of experiencing issues with their kidneys. People with cirrhosis often have enlarged kidneys (up to 33% enlargement), compromised electrolyte and fluid handling, and acute kidney failure.
Stopping the use of all substances can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, even reversing some of the early issues caused by drug-induced liver injuries.
Healing From the Impacts of Drug Use at Resurgence Behavioral Health
If you or a loved one are suffering the health impacts of drug use and want to stop substance abuse in a safe and effective manner, contact Resurgence Behavioral Health alcohol and drug rehab center. We offer:
- Integrated medication assisted treatment (MAT), which includes medical detox for alcohol and drug detox, including medications to keep you comfortable and healthy as you detox, as well as comprehensive medical care, therapy, dual diagnosis treatments for mental illness and PTSD, and counseling, in a whole-patient approach to healing.
- A full list of care leads from detox to inpatient drug rehab, through to our customizable outpatient programs including a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Some of the treatments provided during rehab include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, experiential therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, nutrition and exercise coaching, life skills training, and EMDR.
- Aftercare and resources for you once your rehab program is complete, including alumni gatherings, 12-step and SMART recovery meetings, sober living home options, and a long-term outpatient program that will keep you connected to doctors and psychiatric care for as long as you need.
With Resurgence, detoxing and rehab is a reliable process, provided by our caring staff and medical team, many of whom are in recovery themselves. Our residential treatment programs include structured daily living in a comfortable environment, promoting health and wellness while helping you heal the underlying causes of your addiction and learn recovery skills. Outpatient care is an extension of these treatments as you transition back to your regular life, and with our full support, relapse prevention training, and alumni network, you will never be alone in your recovery.
We provide heroin addiction and cocaine addiction treatment, prescription drug addiction treatment, and alcohol rehab at Resurgence substance abuse treatment center.
Call us today to learn more about quitting drinking and using recreational drugs to avoid kidney disease, kidney cancer, and associated health problems due to renal complications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What drugs are most damaging to the kidneys?
The drugs most damaging to kidneys include chronic NSAID use (analgesic nephropathy), heroin (heroin-associated nephropathy), cocaine (renal vasoconstriction and hypertension), methamphetamine (hypertension and rhabdomyolysis), contrast dyes used in medical imaging (iodinated contrast nephropathy), aminoglycoside antibiotics, and chemotherapy agents like cisplatin. Among substances of abuse, heroin, cocaine, and meth are the most consistently documented causes of serious kidney disease.
Is kidney damage from drugs reversible?
Whether kidney damage from drug use is reversible depends on its severity and type. Acute kidney injury from a single drug-related incident (such as rhabdomyolysis from a stimulant overdose or acute tubular necrosis from dehydration) can be largely reversible with medical treatment and abstinence. Chronic kidney disease involving structural scarring (glomerulosclerosis from heroin nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis from cocaine) is generally not reversible, though progression can be slowed. Early intervention and sustained sobriety give the kidneys the best chance.
What are two drugs not to be used in kidney disease?
Medications generally avoided in kidney disease include NSAIDs (which reduce renal blood flow), certain antibiotics like aminoglycosides and some fluoroquinolones, metformin (diabetes medication requiring adequate kidney function), contrast dyes for imaging, and ACE inhibitors or ARBs in some kidney disease contexts. Lithium (a psychiatric medication) is nephrotoxic with long-term use. Opioids require dose adjustment in kidney disease as their metabolites accumulate. Any medication in a person with compromised kidney function should be reviewed by a nephrologist.
What five medications are linked to kidney damage?
Five medications linked to kidney damage include ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs), vancomycin and gentamicin (antibiotics), cisplatin (chemotherapy), lithium (psychiatric medication), and ACE inhibitors/ARBs in certain vulnerable populations. Among substances of abuse, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine cause kidney damage through distinct but serious mechanisms. Understanding medication-related kidney risks is an important part of managing health in recovery, particularly for people who used substances that stress the kidneys.
What destroys the kidneys the most?
Chronic dehydration combined with sustained high blood pressure is among the most damaging combinations for kidney health over time. Among substances, heroin and chronic NSAID use are most consistently linked to progressive kidney disease. Poorly controlled diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease in the general population. In the context of addiction, the combination of stimulant-driven hypertension, dehydration, and rhabdomyolysis episodes creates compounding kidney stress that can accelerate disease progression.
Which drugs are safe for kidneys?
The kidneys can generally tolerate most medications at standard therapeutic doses when the person has normal kidney function and stays well-hydrated. From a practical standpoint, acetaminophen is considered one of the safest over-the-counter analgesics for the kidneys compared to NSAIDs like ibuprofen, which reduce renal blood flow. At prescribed doses, many common medications including most antibiotics, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications are processed safely. However, for people with existing kidney compromise, even typically safe medications may require dose adjustment. Staying hydrated, avoiding chronic NSAID use, and informing all prescribers of your kidney function is the most important protection.
What is the number one cause of kidney problems?
The leading causes of kidney problems include diabetes (the number one cause of kidney failure in the U.S.), high blood pressure (the second leading cause), glomerulonephritis (immune-mediated kidney inflammation), polycystic kidney disease (genetic), and recurrent kidney infections. Substance use contributes through the mechanisms described above. The connection between addiction and kidney disease is often mediated by hypertension, immune compromise, and direct nephrotoxic drug effects.
Can kidneys repair themselves after medication?
The kidneys have significant capacity for self-repair following acute injury, provided the underlying cause is removed. Acute tubular injury from a single toxic event or dehydration episode can heal substantially over weeks. However, chronic progressive kidney disease involving fibrosis and scarring does not reverse, though its progression can be slowed with blood pressure control, abstinence, hydration, and avoiding further nephrotoxic exposures. Regular kidney function monitoring is advisable for anyone in recovery with a history of significant drug use.
What are the four warning signs of a damaged kidney?
Four warning signs of kidney damage include persistent fatigue and weakness (from anemia and toxin accumulation), swelling in the legs, feet, or face (from fluid retention when the kidneys cannot excrete enough water and sodium), changes in urination including foamy urine indicating protein loss, and high blood pressure that is difficult to control. Later signs include confusion, shortness of breath, and decreased urine output. Blood tests showing elevated creatinine and reduced GFR are the most reliable early detection method.
What medications can cause kidney problems?
Many medications can cause kidney problems when used incorrectly or in people with pre-existing kidney disease. NSAIDs including ibuprofen and naproxen reduce renal blood flow and are among the most common pharmaceutical causes of kidney injury with chronic use. Aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin and vancomycin are directly nephrotoxic. Contrast dyes used in CT imaging cause contrast-induced nephropathy, particularly in people who are dehydrated. Lithium used in psychiatric treatment causes chronic kidney damage with long-term use. Cisplatin and other chemotherapy agents are nephrotoxic. Among substances of abuse, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine all cause significant kidney damage through distinct mechanisms.
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