Drug addiction is a burden on society and a bane to the individual who endures it. Narcotic addiction is particularly insidious, as the opiate drugs used medically to ease pain become the source of intense suffering for the long-term addict.
Recovery from addiction begins with embracing an unvarnished acknowledgment of the costs of continuing to indulge in narcotic use. An addict who is informed of the effects of narcotic drug addiction has a better chance of surviving to live life lucidly, and discovering that true happiness isn't chemically induced.
Premature Death
In terms of negative side effects, it's hard to top death. Premature mortality is a distinct possibility overshadows the life of anyone who abuses narcotics. A study published by the journal "Archives of General Psychiatry" in 2001 followed the lives of 581 male heroin addicts over a 33-year period. During that time, over 21 percent died of drug overdoses, 15 percent died of chronic liver disease, and nearly 20 percent succumbed to suicide, homicide or accidental trauma. Three of the study participants died of AIDS.
Increased Tolerance
The phenomenon of increased drug tolerance is an important factor in narcotic drug addiction. The chronic use of narcotics causes chemical changes in the brain that lead to the need for ever-increasing amounts of the drug in order to achieve the desired effect, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Abrupt cessation of drug use can cause severe withdrawal symptoms including pain, leg spasms, insomnia and gastrointestinal distress. Cravings for narcotics can continue for years following cessation of drug use.
Impaired Cognition
Narcotic use impairs the brain's ability to function. The University of Arizona states that this impairment can be long lasting and can negatively impact the ability to form memories and make decisions. Narcotic addicts frequently exhibit impairment in their ability to control impulsive behavior, an aspect that contributes to continued drug use. Verbal functioning and visual-spatial analysis also decline due to narcotic drug addiction.
Injection Complications
The effects of narcotic drug abuse can sometimes be traced back to the way the addict chooses to administer the drug. Needle injection is rife with its own array of negative effects. This can include infected abscesses at the injection site, collapsed veins, vascular sclerosis and infection by pathogens such as those that cause hepatitis and AIDS
