The Negative Impact Of Heroin Use On The Body
Heroin is a very powerful narcotic that can be easily abused. The substance enters the body and is then converted into a type of morphine that saturates certain areas of the brain, the brain stem and some of the tissue in the body. The effects of heroin make it very addictive, which is one reason why it is an illegal substance, but also can cause very serious health risks even if an individual has only used the substance a few times.
The health problems that a person who is using heroin can encounter originate from several different aspects associated with using the drug. Many addicts inject the drug directly into the body. This needle use can lead to the potential for infection and internal bleeding. The re-use and sharing of needles between addicts also increases the chance that a person will contract a disease like hepatitis or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that can escalate into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These conditions can damage internal organs and potentially lead to fatal organ failure.
The chemicals that are in heroin can also create serious health problems. The drug is very difficult for the body to metabolize. This makes the kidneys and liver work harder to remove the drug from the blood. When an addict maintains a certain level of the chemical in the body, then the kidneys and liver can potentially become damaged over time. This damage can lead to death. The substance also has a negative effect on the brain and will reduce mental faculties over time in a way that cannot be repaired.
Some of the health problems that are experienced by heroin users result from the lifestyle that many addicts follow. Addicts sometimes experience symptoms of clinical depression and start to center life around the use of the drug. One of the symptoms of abuse is a tendency for the user to fall into an unconscious state. The effect that the drug has on the mind and body lead many users to stop regular hygiene and good eating habits. This increases the chance that an addict will develop more common illnesses that can take a large toll on a malnourished and already weakened body.
The severe nature of heroin makes it nearly impossible for a person to stop using the drug on their own. People who want to stop must visit a detox center and receive professional medical attention. This is because the body of an addict will experience a series of potentially life-threatening conditions as the chemical leaves the blood. As a result, a person should never attempt to detoxify by themselves or without a trained medical specialist. Heroin detox is usually performed over the course of a week or more at a detox center and can involve administering medications that help to soothe some of the major withdrawal symptoms that are experienced. Even after a successful heroin detox, a patient may still experience sporadic withdrawal symptoms.
The health problems that a person who is using heroin can encounter originate from several different aspects associated with using the drug. Many addicts inject the drug directly into the body. This needle use can lead to the potential for infection and internal bleeding. The re-use and sharing of needles between addicts also increases the chance that a person will contract a disease like hepatitis or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that can escalate into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These conditions can damage internal organs and potentially lead to fatal organ failure.
The chemicals that are in heroin can also create serious health problems. The drug is very difficult for the body to metabolize. This makes the kidneys and liver work harder to remove the drug from the blood. When an addict maintains a certain level of the chemical in the body, then the kidneys and liver can potentially become damaged over time. This damage can lead to death. The substance also has a negative effect on the brain and will reduce mental faculties over time in a way that cannot be repaired.
Some of the health problems that are experienced by heroin users result from the lifestyle that many addicts follow. Addicts sometimes experience symptoms of clinical depression and start to center life around the use of the drug. One of the symptoms of abuse is a tendency for the user to fall into an unconscious state. The effect that the drug has on the mind and body lead many users to stop regular hygiene and good eating habits. This increases the chance that an addict will develop more common illnesses that can take a large toll on a malnourished and already weakened body.
The severe nature of heroin makes it nearly impossible for a person to stop using the drug on their own. People who want to stop must visit a detox center and receive professional medical attention. This is because the body of an addict will experience a series of potentially life-threatening conditions as the chemical leaves the blood. As a result, a person should never attempt to detoxify by themselves or without a trained medical specialist. Heroin detox is usually performed over the course of a week or more at a detox center and can involve administering medications that help to soothe some of the major withdrawal symptoms that are experienced. Even after a successful heroin detox, a patient may still experience sporadic withdrawal symptoms.