| Despite being known as one of the most highly | | | | the purity of drugs cannot be accurately assessed on |
| addictive drugs on the market, heroin is still a grim | | | | the street, overdosing of heroin is quite common. |
| reality plaguing the United States. More than 600,000 | | | | Long-Term Effects of Heroin |
| people are said to require treatment to suppress | | | | While the addition that comes with heroin abuse is |
| their addiction for the drug. Over the years, | | | | one of the most damaging long-term effects |
| numerous shifts in the use of heroin has seen more | | | | connected to heroin, there are many other long-term |
| users turning from injecting heroin to snorting or | | | | effects to consider. A vicious cycle of using and |
| smoking because they believe they will receive a | | | | searching for more drugs becomes one of the main |
| higher concentration of the drug, as well as avoid | | | | purposes of living for users. The drug is so potent |
| addiction. Heroin causes a wide range of effects that | | | | that the brain and behavior patterns of a user |
| can be seen throughout both immediate short-term | | | | become altered. |
| reactions and long-term use. Below, you will learn of | | | | The higher amount of heroin taken equates to a |
| the negativity surrounding the use of this powerful | | | | more intense physical dependency. The body easily |
| and extremely dangerous drug: | | | | adapts to the presence of the drug in the system |
| Short-Term Effects of Heroin | | | | and will show withdrawal symptoms if the drug is |
| Once a user injects or inhales heroin, the drug | | | | reduced in a short amount of time. A user may then |
| infiltrates the barrier that holds the blood to the brain. | | | | suffer from restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, |
| It is here that the drug is converted to morphine, | | | | restless leg movements, and muscle and bone pain. |
| which instantly combines with other substances within | | | | After the last dose of heroin, the worst effects of |
| the body. Those who have a history of abusing | | | | withdrawal are felt between 24 and 48 hours. These |
| heroin will feel a rush of pleasure, which is influenced | | | | side effects may continue for many months |
| by how much of the drug is taken and how quickly it | | | | afterwards. |
| enters the brain. The reason why heroin is so | | | | Health Risks |
| addictive is because it reaches the brain in such a | | | | Continued heroin use can lead to an assortment of |
| short amount of time. | | | | major health conditions, including fatal overdosing. |
| The sensations that come with the usage of heroin | | | | Spontaneous abortions may occur in pregnant |
| are matched with a warm feeling about the skin, dry | | | | women. Veins may collapse and the chances of |
| mouth, intense itching, as well as nausea or vomiting. | | | | acquiring an infectious disease (like HIV or hepatitis) |
| The limbs may also feel heavy. Once the initial | | | | may arise. Infections may develop within the lining of |
| effects have lessened, the abuser may suffer from | | | | the heart and valves. Abscesses, liver disease and |
| many hours of drowsiness. The functions of the | | | | cellulitis are all threats to the health of a heroin user. |
| heart will also slow, as well as their breathing. Since | | | | |