Injecting heroin causes both short and long-term damage to the body.
Heroin is an illicit drug processed from a substance found in certain poppy plants’ seed pods. It is a fast-acting opiate, meaning it comes from non-synthetic origins. When injected, it causes a surge of euphoria that reaches the brain within seconds. The health risks of injecting heroin regularly carry devastating consequences that can last a lifetime.
What are the Short-Term Health Risks of Injecting Heroin Regularly
The impact of heroin on the body is vast and far-reaching. However, the short-term effects are specific to intravenous use. Once injected, the intensity of euphoria depends on the speed of its entry into the brain and the amount taken.
The short-term effects of heroin administered via injection may include symptoms such as:
- Dry mouth
- Warm-feeling skin
- Heavy-feeling extremities
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Severe itching
After the initial effects, users are usually extremely drowsy for several hours. It is not abnormal for an individual who is affected by heroin use to abruptly fall asleep on the spot, something called “nodding.” More side-effects of heroin taken by injections include:
- Clouded mental function
- Slower breathing and heart function
- Reduced sense of pain
- Agitation
- Coordination problems
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Attention and memory issues
These health complications from heroin use can quickly spiral out of control after only a few experiences. Even if someone is injecting heroin for the first time, they are at risk of bloodborne diseases and overdose.
What are the Long-Term Health Risks of Injecting Heroin Regularly
Heroin’s short-term side effects become less prominent as the exposure to the drug increases. The health risks of injecting heroin regularly multiply with prolonged use. The brain and body become more accustomed to heroin’s effects when used continuously over time.
This process, known as building tolerance, also reduces the sensations heroin causes, motivating the person affected by addiction to take increasingly higher doses. These individuals will need to continue increasing their dosage to feel the desired effects, quickly leading to opioid use disorder.
Increased Heroin Tolerance
As heroin tolerance grows, the body begins to rely on its chemicals instead of the ones produced by the brain. These chemicals are responsible for positive feelings and pain relief. As a result, the person needs to use heroin to reach typical levels of happiness and pain resistance.
They must also use more of the drug to prevent the symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal occurs when the body no longer has a supply of heroin in the bloodstream. Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Cravings to use heroin
- Goosebumps
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
- Sweating
Severe withdrawal symptoms are rarely fatal but can cause other medical complications that can lead to death. Most people addicted to the drug eventually seek medical detox to avoid this experience.
Some people can withstand the discomfort of withdrawal until heroin is out of their system. However, abstaining from the drug after withdrawal becomes harder as cravings will continue. Most people who attempt to stop using heroin on their own will eventually relapse.
What are the risks of Heroin Injections
Infection risks from heroin use are high because of the practice of sharing needles. The dangers of heroin injections include the contraction of viruses and spread of communicable diseases such as HIV. Some people who inject drugs develop heroin-related infections like tuberculosis and hepatitis, among other bloodborne illnesses.
Vein damage from heroin is also very common among individuals who actively use intravenous drugs. Many will have trouble with collapsed veins, painful scarring and potentially fatal infections like sepsis. Injecting substances can also lead to clogged blood vessels and even a risk of stroke.
Prolonged bloodborne illnesses can cause severe cardiovascular conditions. Chronic heroin use can also cause damage to organs in the body, especially the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. Along with the threat of potential overdose, the body experiences constant inflammation with heroin present.
What are the Mental Effects of Heroin
Over time, people affected by addiction to heroin withdraw from their everyday lives. Activities and obligations fall to the wayside while they dedicate their time to acquiring and using more heroin. The mental impact of heroin has long-term consequences, including:
- Educational or professional hardships: A person with opioid use disorder may lose interest in work or school activities that they used to enjoy. They may have a drop in work performance or lower grades and begin to miss more work or school days.
- Financial problems: Heroin addiction quickly causes financial issues related to the drug’s cost. The urge to use heroin can become so strong that the user feels tempted to steal items or money. They might request money from friends or loved ones without explanation. Heroin addiction can interfere with work, making it more difficult to maintain employment.
- Neglected appearance: The energy and mood issues associated with opioid use disorder cause self-care to diminish. Someone with heroin addiction may pay less attention to their appearance than before, possibly neglecting regular grooming habits or hygiene.
The physical and societal long-term effects of heroin dependence ultimately lead to poor health overall. The stress resulting from financial and medical difficulties may increase the severity of the mental illness symptoms associated with addiction. The best hope for those living with heroin addiction is to seek help and enroll in a comprehensive substance use disorder treatment program.
Treatment for Heroin Addiction with the Help of BARRT Programs
BAART offers treatment for heroin addiction with the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Patients receive FDA-approved medication that helps ease withdrawal symptoms and heroin cravings. They also have access to substance use counselors who can help heal the more profound impacts of addiction.
Patients with a history of long-term intravenous heroin use also have the benefit of working with specialized medical providers. They can address ongoing medical conditions related to heroin use with referrals to other specialists or care. Recovery from heroin addiction is possible.
BAART Programs helps patients across the United States work toward a path to recovery. To learn more about our services or find a nearby location, contact our office staff. Let us help you take the path to addiction recovery today!
