Effects of Heroin on the Body
Heroin is a fast-acting drug that can have an immediate impact on the brain and body of the user. One of the short-term effects of heroin use includes the “rush” that users seek. This intense feeling of euphoria and pleasure is a driving force behind the development of an addiction, as users seek it out time and time again. Other short-term effects of heroin use include dry mouth, severe itching, nausea and vomiting, poor mental functioning, and “nodding out”. Because heroin impacts part of the brain responsible for sleepiness, users of this drug might experience profound drowsiness. They then will nod out, drifting back and forth between consciousness and unconsciousness.
Prolonged use of heroin over time will bring about another set of symptoms, some of which can be particularly harmful. Such long-term effects of heroin on the body can include insomnia, abscesses, collapsed veins (for those that inject), sexual dysfunction, lung complications, liver and kidney disease, irregular menstrual cycles, constipation, and infections in the heart lining and valves. Heroin use can cause irreparable damage to the body’s critical organs such as the brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs. For this reason, individuals suffering from heroin addiction should seek out heroin addiction treatment as soon as they suspect they’ve developed a problem.