The effects of heroin

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF HEROIN

Physical appearance

Wayne was first arrested for possessing heroin when he was 28. By 2013, he was arrested six more times, again for heroin, and also cocaine.

In four and a half years since Mary’s first arrest at the age of 18 in 2009, and until February of this year, she was caught on several occasions for possessing cocaine, heroin, Xanax … During that time she lost nearly 20 pounds.

Addicts’ teeth decay, their skin becomes dark and yellow, they lose weight, and their eye bags are very pronounced.

Withdrawal syndrome

With a physical addiction, the body gets used to the presence of the drug in the body, and if the use is reduced or discontinued, the body falls into a crisis characterized by:

• unrest
• nervousness, strong irritation
• the desire for re-taking drugs
• bone and muscle pain
• nausea
• urge to vomit
• diarrhea
• insomnia
• hot-cold flashes
• arm and leg twitches

Collapsed veins

Abscesses and infections of soft tissues, ulcers, and possible complications in the form of sepsis. Particularly frequent are infections at the injection spots, in the form of subcutaneous abscesses, striking marks of inflamed veins, or swollen blue hands due to difficult circulation.

Viral diseases – HIV, Hepatitis

In addition to bacterial infections, viral diseases can be transmitted too using unsterilized needles and syringes and risky behavior. Heroin addicts are at higher risk of C, B viruses that attack liver and HIV that attacks the body’s immune system.

Lung diseases, liver, kidneys, and brain damage

Lung diseases include various types of pneumonia and tuberculosis. They may occur due to the poor health condition of the addicts, as well as because of the destructing effects of heroin on the airways.

Various damage to the liver, kidneys, brain, blood vessels, which can lead to various complications and death, resulting from impurities-poisons that are mixed with the drug to increase its weight.

Overdose and death

A considerable amount of drug that cannot be eliminated with the existing physiological capacity of the body comes to the brain. Breathing, blood pressure maintenance at a normal level, cardiac work maintenance, and body temperature regulation, i.e., all vital functions are endangered and can result in death.

Psychological effects of heroin abuse

Depression

An often problem. It can be very intense, with suicidal thoughts, or transient. Addicts often take drugs to reduce depression, which has an opposite effect, increases it, and thus takes the addict into a vicious circle.

Social consequences

1.Family consequences:

Dysfunctionality:

• Disturbed communication (quarreling, avoiding conversation, ignoring)
• Emotional relationships in the family become unstable
• The family falls into growing financial problems
• Family roles are disturbed
• Social relationships deform

Consequences:

• Early separation from the family
• Quarrels
• Physical violence
• Arriving home late, or not coming home for a few days
• Failure to fulfill usual family obligations
• Secretiveness
• Destructive behavior
• Money or other valuable things from home disappear
• Irresponsibility, dishonesty, lies, and manipulation with other members
• Retreating into oneself, or one’s own room

2. Criminal consequences

• Stealing things from the family or closest environment
• Selling personal items
• Stealing various things: jewelry, clothing, cars, etc. to sell them at a much lower value or exchange directly for drugs
• Drug dealing
• Prostitution
• Direct stealing of drugs