• Chemical dependency may start to cause problems in all aspects of your life.ballyscanlon/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Dependence on chemicals can cause many problems that could change your life permanently, according to the Mayo Clinic. Every aspect of your life may be affected if you experience chronic substance abuse. People who struggle with chemical dependency may need outside help such as treatment facilities or therapy to clean up problems that their substance abuse has caused.
  
  

Health Concerns

• The Mayo Clinic states that chemical dependency can lead to a variety of health problems. Depending on the drug of choice, certain diseases may become more prevalent. Certain forms of chemical dependency have harmful effects on the liver. According to the website eGetGoing, dependence on alcohol, injected drugs and inhalants can cause free radicals that damage healthy cells on the liver and cause inflammation. If you have been chemically dependent, a doctor's visit should help determine whether you have any lasting health effects.
  
  

Decision-Making Impairment

• Abuse of substances impair your decision-making skills, according to the website Kidshealth. Continual dependence on a drug allows the drug to think for you. Regularly being under the influence of mood-altering substance can change the way you deal with life problems. Chemical dependency can cause you to make poor decisions such as fighting with people and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Decisions that make you break the law can lead to jail time or even death.
  
  

Family Problems

• Chemical dependency causes problems in the family, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology Substance and Intervention services. Families may begin to have arguments or physical altercations due to the substance abuse. Chemical dependency may also cause you to lose interest in family activities.
  
  

Work Issues

• The Mayo Clinic states that becoming dependent on a chemical may cause a decline in work productivity. Due to negative effects of the drug, you may experience more absences from work. This will either let your boss know you do not take your job seriously or your capability for completing the job has decreased. If you begin to come to work drunk or high, you will have issues with completing your job appropriately.
  
  

Social Effects

• As you abuse chemicals, your social life may decrease, according to the Rochester Institute of Technology Substance and Intervention Services. You may begin to center your life around buying, selling and using drugs or alcohol. When you become chemically dependent, you could start to think of the chemical as your friend. People who struggle with chemical dependency may stop going to activities and social events.