What Are the Long Term Effects of Heroin Abuse?

When most people think of drug addiction, they think about the effects on the person, their family and loved ones, their finances, and the potential to get in legal trouble from abusing drugs. However, what sometimes gets overlooked is the long-term effects that drug use can have on a person even after they get clean and start rebuilding what addiction has taken from them. Most of the time, we think of the immediate impacts of drug use because those are the ones most present at the time, and once a person goes into recovery, we think that everything will be ok. The symptoms of heroin abuse can be challenging to overcome, but Grace Recovery can help.

It’s always important to recognize the effects of these drugs so that we can get our loved ones the help they need as soon as possible and to help prepare them and ourselves for the long-term cost of drug use. After all, addiction is a lifelong disease, and sometimes, so are the consequences of using drugs or alcohol. 

At Grace Recovery, we understand the importance of addiction treatment and acknowledge the effects that drugs can have over the long term. That’s why in this post, we are going to discuss the drug heroin, what it is, how it impacts the body, heroin abuse symptoms, and the long-term effects, and how to find a Los Angeles detox program for heroin. 

What is Heroin? 

Heroin is a drug in the opioid family derived from the poppy plant’s seeds. It has been used for many years as a drug to relieve pain and in many medical procedures until it was discovered how addictive it was in the mid-1900s. Heroin has since been made highly illegal and is now an illicit drug that many people ultimately switch to after having been addicted to other opioids. 

Like all opioids, heroin acts within the body to relieve pain and provide comfort for even those with the most severe types of pain. This is particularly why it was so effective in the past and why it is still sought after today. 

How Does Heroin Impact the Body 

Heroin is an incredibly potent opioid that works by attaching to the pain receptors in the central nervous system and regulating the way the body feels pain. It also impacts the brain chemistry and changes the brain’s response to pain to provide relief to patients. 

The reason why heroin is so addictive is due to how it impacts the body. Over time the cells in the receptors and the brain change to become dependent on the presence of heroin to make them work properly and for the body to function normally on a day-to-day basis. This chemical dependency is what eventually leads to full-blown addiction.

What Are the Long-Term Symptoms of Heroin Abuse?

There are a great many ways that long-term use of heroin can impact the body. The risk of sexual infections increases, as does immune diseases and deficiencies that can cause problems like arthritis. A person is more prone to skin lesions, infections, collapsed veins, ruptured nasal passages, etc. 

If a person using heroin develops a mental health disorder or a person with a mental health disorder is taking heroin to cope, it can lead to suicidal tendencies. Prolonged use of heroin can even lead to systemic organ failure and death in some heavy users. 

How to Find Los Angeles Detox Programs For Heroin 

If you or a loved one are struggling with a heroin addiction, then Grace Recovery is here for you. We offer addiction treatment in Los Angeles to help you get free of heroin and get started down the path of recovery before it is too late. 

We have various treatment options, from inpatient to medically assisted to dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles, so that no matter your situation, you get the personalized care you need to get clean of heroin and get started on your journey back to a normal life. At Grace Recovery, we are here for you or your loved one at any time. Contact us today.

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