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How Heroin Effects Addicts Lives
Heroin will absolutely effect the life of an addict in nearly every way. For many people who become addicted to heroin, there is no other alternative when it comes to taking more of the drug. Someone who has become addicted will continue to take heroin no matter what consequences are present.
Effect of Heroin Addiction on Life Satisfaction
The more one does heroin, the more chance the person has of becoming addicted. And because "one of the most significant effects of heroin use is addiction," it will often spread to all aspects of the person's life (CESAR). Heroin addiction can cause people to believe they cannot even feel normal if they do not use the drug every day.
The euphoric effects of heroin are addictive to the point where, for many people, this is all that matters.
People who are addicted to heroin might feel that they are only happy when they are getting high, making their overall life satisfaction much lower.
In chronic heroin abuse cases, those who do the drug may "no longer experience the euphoric effects" and take the drug "simply to provide relief from the painful, flu-like withdrawal symptoms."
Effect of Heroin Addiction on Relationships
Many people find that their relationships become compromised by addiction. The NIDA states that "addiction is a complex illness" and a "brain disease," which is why many individuals cannot stop taking the drug even if they want to. Many times, relationships disintegrate under the weight of addiction, causing the following problems:
- Addicted people neglecting their friends and family members in order to spend time with other addicts.
- Parents being unable to take care of their children due to their heroin addictions.
- Spouses or significant others leaving their heroin addicted partners.
- Families kicking individuals out of the house because of heroin addiction.
These actions directly affect the lives of heroin addicts, making them lose contact with those who are often the most important to them.
Effect of Heroin Addiction on Physical Health
A person's very life can be compromised by heroin addiction, as it can often lead to overdose. Overdose from heroin can be deadly, causing respiratory depression and sometimes coma or death. Even if a person does not die, he or she can have life-long health problems because of it. Heroin addiction also causes the following health effects:
- Infection
- Collapsed Veins
- "Pulmonary Complications" (NIDA)
- "Liver or Kidney Disease"
A person could also risk contracting hepatitis or HIV from sharing needles. Any of these medical conditions would affect the life of a heroin addict for a long time.
Effect of Heroin Addiction on Psychological Health
Tolerance and psychological dependence are two effects of heroin addiction. A person will crave heroin and continue to feel that its effects are not as strong with the original dosage, making the person use more and more of the drug. A person who is addicted to heroin will not be psychologically healthy, as "regular heroin use changes the functioning of the brain.
Usually, addiction does not disappear after the individual goes through rehabilitation. More often than not, the effects of addiction linger over time, continuing to cause issues in the life of the addict.
