Long Term Effects of Heroin
By continuing to use heroin, you risk suffering from a wide range of health problems. Long term effects of heroin range from physical illness and debilitating conditions to psychological issues. Even with medical help and medication, you may never recover from these problems.
Therefore, if you have a heroin addiction, you should try to get help from a heroin addiction treatment center in Hawaii. If you complete your detox, rehab, and join an aftercare program, you may be able to end your addiction before it is too late.
What Are the Long Term Effects of Heroin Use?
Widespread heroin use can cause you to experience chronic physical and psychological long term effects of heroin, such as:
- Respiratory illness
- A weak immune system
- Partial paralysis or weak muscles
- Inability to perform sexually
- Loss of memory or intellectual capacity
- Depress, anxiety, or insomnia
A heroin addiction rehab in Hawaii can help you overcome your addiction and get you on the path to recovery. You may experience withdrawal symptoms during detox. However, as your body gets rid of the heroin toxins, you will start to feel much better. Your body can begin to heal from the damage that heroin has caused.
Health Effects: Breaking it Down Further
In addition to some of the health conditions above, there are other long term effects of heroin you need to be aware of including:
Liver
There is a connection between heroin addiction and liver problems. Liver disease occurs when you use heroin consistently for years or decades. The liver may become inflamed or scarred. There are several liver-related conditions, such as cirrhosis, fibrosis, and hepatitis.
Digestive System
Heroin can wear down the stomach lining and increase the amount of acid in the stomach. This will ultimately lead to painful ulcers. There are other functions in the digestive system that heroin can affect over time, such as food absorption and excretion.
Central Nervous System
Constant heroin abuse can lead to a deficiency in thiamine and vitamin B1. Eventually, this can lead to disorientation, poor coordination, problems with learning, and problems with recalling even simple facts. Brain cell growth can drastically reduce if you continue using heroin.
Cardiovascular Problems
Consuming too much heroin is directly linked to all types of cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, blood clots, strokes, poor health muscles, and heart attacks. You could also suffer from anemia. A heroin drug detox program is the first step in heroin addiction treatment.
Reproductive Problems
You may have erectile dysfunction, menstrual problems, or reproductive issues. If you use heroin while you are pregnant, you could risk having complications with the baby. Some unborn children can also develop an addiction to heroin while they are still in the womb.
Now is the Time to Stop Using Heroin
Now that you know the long term effects of heroin, now is the time to address your addiction. A heroin recovery program in Hawaii is a great place to start with your treatment. Contact one today to learn more about your recovery options.