Heroin Addiction Health Risk Factors
Cocaine Addiction Causes
Table of Contents
What Is Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction (an opioid use disorder) is a chronic medical health condition characterized by compulsive heroin use or abuse even in the face of adverse health consequences. Heroin addiction occurs due to prolonged exposure of the brain to high levels of heroin. This eventually results in alterations in the structure and function change of the brain, which leads to heroin dependence and tolerance.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid derived from morphine, obtained directly from the opium poppy plant, that can either be sniffed, smoked, or injected. It has major potential for abuse and is responsible for millions of addiction-related mental health conditions and deaths globally.
Risk Factors of Heroin Addiction
History of Drug Use
Opioid Prescriptions
Peer Pressure
Environment
High Levels of Stress
Mental Illness
Family History of Heroin Addiction
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Signs and symptoms of heroin addiction are classified under physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, usually varying on the individuals, their health conditions, and their heroin abuse history. Signs and symptoms common in heroin addiction will be detailed below.
Physical Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite change and weight loss
- Tremors
- Bad breath
- Dry mouth
- Itchy and red skin
- Impaired coordination
Behavioral Symptoms
- Poor personal hygiene
- Neglecting official duties and responsibilities
- Interpersonal relationship problems
- Wearing thick clothes in warm weather to hide injection marks
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Attitude change
- Lack of motivation
Health Consequences
Short-Term
- Severe itching
- Slow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Drowsiness
- Nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss
Long-Term
- Skin disease
- Septicemia
- Collapsed veins
- Infection of the valves and lining of the heart
- Liver disease
Overdose
Risk Factors for Heroin Overdose
- Using prescription opioids without doctor supervision
- Injecting heroin of unknown concentration or composition
- Ingesting heroin via injection routes
- Combining heroin with alcohol