Heroin is a powerful drug that is physically and emotionally addictive. When someone becomes dependent on heroin, his body physically craves the drug and he goes through withdrawal symptoms, such as chills, excessive sweating, fever and diarrhea. It is extremely difficult to quit using heroin once you are dependent on it. The health consequences of heroin use can last for life.
Health Consequences
Heroin lowers its user's immune system making her more susceptible to medical issues, such as pneumonia. It can also lead to heart and lung failure as well as liver disease. If a person uses heroin intravenously and shares needles, it can result in infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. These diseases are not curable; therefore, the person would be trying to manage the disease and symptoms for the rest of her life.
Financial Effects
Many heroin addicts find themselves in financial trouble after spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on their addiction. They may lose their housing and become homeless, spend all their life savings, steal from friends and family members or do illegal activities like prostitution to pay for the drug use. This can lead to the loss of friends and family members and severe emotional consequences.
Emotional Effects
When someone is addicted to heroin and hasn't used in eight to 12 hours, she may become irritable and hostile. She might push people away by starting arguments and getting angry for no apparent reason. Someone struggling with a heroin addiction may feel ashamed, weak and disgusted by herself. She may also struggle with depression, anxiety or another mental health issue. Many people who have drug addiction problems also have mental health problems. They may be using the drug to cope with mental health symptoms or the drug use might have caused the person to develop a mental health problem, such as depression.
Family Issues
Many friends and family members of someone who starts abusing drugs stop supporting or staying in contact with that person. Family members may try to get the person help, but many addicts refuse help until they really want it. To keep themselves safe, friends and family members end the relationship. If the person stops using, the relationships could be irreparable or need years of family therapy to redevelop trust.
Overdose and Death
Every time a person uses heroin he puts himself at risk for overdosing. The signs of a heroin overdose include problems breathing, pinpoint pupils, muscle spasms, weak pulse and a discolored tongue. An overdose is devastating for friends and family members of the user.
