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