What Are The Damages And Side Effects Of Heroin Abuse?

Heroin is a very strong depressant. Heroin abuse is one of the biggest addiction problems faced by many countries. It is several times more powerful than morphine. Initially it dulls the senses, giving a feeling of well being. It reduces hunger, relieves tension and makes the user sleepy. The danger of this drug is that the user becomes rapidly addicted and needs a larger dosage in order to produce the same sensation. An addicted person gradually becomes physically dependent on the drug. If the drug is withheld, the user experiences withdrawal symptoms. These include anxiety, stomach upsets, sweating, goose pimples, watering of the eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and hallucinations. In severe cases, death may occur.

The user experiences much misery. Therefore, in order to avoid the withdrawal symptoms, users often desire a larger dosage of the drug. Some try desperately to get money for the drug.  This desperation for money in some users makes them turn to crime.

At times the users put the drug directly into their veins. The injection needles they share may be unsterilized and contaminated. Therefore they are at risk to diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS. In fact, sharing of contaminated needles is the most common method of transmitting the HIV virus.