10 Long Term Effects of Heroin Use

Long term heroin use is usually the outcome of a first time user due to its addictive nature. It is the most addictive drug and fastest acting opiate. Sometimes the long terms effects are so severe addicts are administered small dosages of heroin or more commonly methadone is prescribed. Despite its high addiction users can still quit ‘cold turkey’ which means quitting with will power without the help of drugs. This usually requires the help of close ones and rehabilitation clinics.

1. Drug addiction; this is the most common and obvious effect of long term heroin abuse. The user becomes dependant on the drug to function to function and after a while the effects of the high dissipates.

2. Withdrawal effects. If a long term addict attempts to stop using they will experience something called ‘Junk Sick’ which is the symptoms of withdrawal. This includes vomiting yellowish mucus, uncontrollable excretion, stomach pain, poor judgment, strong desire to use more drugs known as a ‘fix’.

3. Loss of job and income. Addicts usually become jobless and homeless even if they once maintained a high paying job. This is because it hinders your ability to work.

4. Experience of Tremors. Addicts usually display shaking or jolts randomly. They also look very pale and underweight or overweight.

5. Feeling weak. It is very common for a user to feel weak all the time and drowsy. This why heroin users often abuse crack or cocaine for ‘a kick’ in energy to perform during the day.

6. Depression or Dysphoria . This is the opposite state of the first several uses. It consists of feeling down and suffering from anxiety. Users usually become recluse because of this.

7. Methadone maintenance is part of opiate therapy to treat the drug cravings as well as block the effects of euphoria therefore allowing the user to function without being sedated.

8. Restless leg syndrome. This is an uncontrollable urge to move a part of the body (usually the leg) this is usually done by tapping obsessively or shaking of the leg commonly referred to as ‘kicking the habit’.

9. Insomnia is common effect of long term use as the drug addict won’t be able to sleep without using the drug.

10. Cardiac Arrest and Suicide are less common effects of long term use but there are hundreds of reported cases. This is usually due to the increase in symptoms of depression and stress.

Additional

Track marks are usually visible in a user’s arms, legs and hands. It is black impression or scars on the skin.

Users suffering from depression prior to use often commit suicide.

Long term recovered users have a hard time finding work. Usually due to criminal records of use or trafficking