Long-Term Health Effects of Heroin:

One of the most debilitating effects of heroin use is dependence and addiction. Dependence follows the same trajectory as tolerance.

Eight to twelve hours after the addict's last dose, the user begins to experience the onset of flu-like symptoms: watery eyes, sneezing, muscle aches, weakness, and vomiting. The symptoms increase in severity over the next two to three days and include shivering, muscle spasms, paranoia, fear, hallucinations, and debilitating cramps in the stomach and extremities. Within a week, the body has corrected the imbalance created by the regular ingestion of heroin, and the symptoms subside. However, intense cravings for the drug last for a much longer period of time and often contribute to relapse.

Health consequences of chronic heroin abuse include scarred and collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves, boils, a variety of soft-tissue infections, kidney problems, and liver disease. Pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other lung diseases are also common among long-term users, which can be attributed to either poor nutrition and depressed respiratory function or both. Many of the additives heroin is cut with do not dissolve in the body and can block blood vessels, translating into higher risk of sudden death from stroke or heart attack.

Recovering heroin addicts often endure years of corrective dental work due to neglect and the side effects of regular drug use. Heroin addicts often have cavities along the gum-line and gum disease, because the drug causes a marked decrease in the production of saliva. Saliva protects the mouth by neutralizing acids that cause cavities and providing lubrication that reduces the retention of food debris.

A NIDA-supported study conducted by the University of Southern California Los Angeles examined the lives of some 587 heroin addicts admitted to criminals' addiction programs in the early 1960s. The researchers found their lives were marked by cycles of abstinence, relapse, crime, incarceration, chronic disease, and early death. By 1997, nearly half of the group had died. A full 40% of the survivors were still struggling with their addiction and reported using heroin in the last year. Fewer then 10% were in a working addiction program.

Fugitive accused of driving with kids in car after taking cocaine. MIDDLESEX COUNTY,New Jersey —A man charged with child endangerment and possession of cocaine after allegedly ...

WC meth lab busted On Saturday, July 19, 2008, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators, as part of ...

Home meth lab explodes BROKEN ARROW - Two Broken Arrowans have been arrested in connection with the fire; a ...

Indictments returned against neighborhood’s meth-making suspects A Palo Pinto County Grand Jury indicted 10 individuals Wednesday on 10 charges, including five ...

Couple in prison for meth lab CASSOPOLIS - Two methamphetamine lab operators were put behind prison bars on Friday morning in ...

Young man stole stereos to pay for his methadone habit SOMERSWORTH - The thought of getting arrested for shoplifting didn�t enter 22-year-old Chris�s mind when ...

Front line in the fight against heroin addiction SEABROOK - Paramedic Kevin Janvrin has found them parked in cars outside local stores, in ...

Escaping the clutches of heroin addiction SOMERSWORTH - Terri Provencher, a 39-year-old mother and recovering heroin addict from Seabrook, has tried ...

Drugs Heroin Mexico Drug Growers Switching to Heroin Monday April 21, 2003 6:49 AM TLAPA DE COMONFORT, Mexico ...

Parents confront heroin nightmare By David Wecker Post staff reporter In an extraordinary meeting marked with heated accusations, frustration and ...

Heroin Addiction She was the hardest worker they knew. Melissa Lockovitch toiled the 2-10 p.m. shift as ...

DEA Dismantels Heroin Traffic SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Guillermo Gil, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico ...