What are the risks and health effects of using heroin?
All heroin use is risky because the drug is unregulated and sold on the street. A user can’t be sure what they’re really buying. Sometimes dealers add substances to the drug to make their stash last longer. Some of these substances may be toxic. New heroin users sometimes suffer from nausea and vomiting. They may also begin twitching. Larger amounts of heroin, or small amounts at higher concentrations, can cause extreme drowsiness. They can also put users at risk of becoming comatose or having respiratory failure. This can shut down a person’s coughing and expulsion reflex, causing them to inhale and choke on their own vomit. Frequent longer-term use of heroin can cause constipation and problems with the heart, lungs and liver. Both men and women may experience a decreased libido. Women may suffer from menstrual irregularities and infertility. The reduced desire for food can lead to an unhealthy diet and malnutrition. Because of the costs of purchasing heroin illegally on the street, m
