The dangers of heroin addiction are well documented. Long-term heroin use can lead to a broad range of mental and physical problems that can plague a person for the rest of their life. Without help from a heroin addiction treatment program, a person may not be able to overcome their addiction. As a result, they may suffer from severe conditions.
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid. Just one instance of heroin use can lead to a habit that turns into a dependency. Once this happens, a person may experience problems that affect all areas of their life, including family conflict, finances, losing their job, and other types of problems. Let’s look at the dangers of heroin addiction more closely.
Physical Dangers of Heroin Addiction
Heroin can lead to numerous health or medical problems that affect the heart, lungs, digestive system, nervous system, liver, and cognitive function. It causes systems in the body to start breaking down and tissue to deteriorate. Furthermore, heroin leads to a decline in brain function.
The longer a person shoots up with heroin, the more it can cause damage in the circulatory system, particularly in areas where they are injecting the needs. Heroin has been linked to cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and fatalities. Eventually, the body just gives out with long-term use. Attending a detox program is crucial to rid yourself of heroin addiction. This Texas heroin detox program offers the help you or a loved one may need when dealing with heroin abuse.
Psychological Dangers of Heroin
At first, a person may start using heroin as a form of occasional recreation. In time, the brain becomes more addicted to the drug, as it responds to the psychoactive effects. A person may also use heroin when they are feeling depressed or anxious or dealing with stressful issues in their life.
However, heroin use causes psychological or mental disorders, making the worse as the person continues to shoot up. Some of these disorders may include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Bipolar disorder
- Social disorders
- Psychosis
These conditions will continue to trigger the addiction if left untreated. A Texas heroin addiction treatment center can help a person address the dangers of heroin addiction and any mental disorders they have.
Family Conflict
Family conflict is a common consequence of heroin addiction, simply because everyone in the home has to deal with the behavior of the addict. At first, family members may make small comments that suggest a person has a problem. However, as the addiction intensifies, it can create emotional distress for everyone around them.
Those who are unable to handle an addiction of the loved one may become angry, hurt, and stressed when trying to solve this problem on their own. Other people in the family may also turn to addictions of other substances. A treatment center provides care for family members through individual and family therapy.
Financial Problems
Heroin addiction can be expensive. A person may spend thousands of dollars on the drug and any related paraphernalia. As they consume more heroin, they spend more money, neglecting other financial obligations. If their addiction causes them to lose their job, then they may turn to criminal activity or theft to keep using the drug.
Sadly, regardless of how bad things get, the addict will continue using heroin regardless of the consequences. It is one of the leading dangers of heroin addiction. There comes the point where the person has to hit bottom before they finally start to turn their life around.
It’s Never Too Late to Get Help for Addiction
When you are ready to get help for heroin addiction, an addiction treatment facility can help. It will provide comprehensive care for all types of addictions and help you overcome the dangers of heroin addiction. Learn more about outpatient substance abuse treatment programs near you.
