Heroin is among the most addictive drugs available. Most people abuse heroin for the euphoric effects it produces once it reaches the brain. Heroin abusers either smoke, snort, or inject the substance into their blood veins. Heroin abuse alters your brain’s chemistry, causing psychological dependence, health problems, relationship problems, and even suicidal thoughts. If you are looking for a heroin addiction treatment center to help you manage your addiction, the professionals at Amatus Recovery Centers are ready to hear from you.

3 Effects of Heroin Abuse

Most people know heroin as a dangerous drug because of its addictive potential. However, it has many more short and long-term effects, including:

1. Venous Sclerosis and Collapsed Veins

Heroin abuse can result in vein problems. Heroin injections can severely damage your veins due to exposure to viruses and the use of dirty needles. Venous sclerosis is a condition that causes your blood veins to harden and become narrow. This condition makes it difficult for users to inject heroin into the same blood vein multiple times. As such, they end up injecting the substance into their muscles, which damages their bodies even more. Bacterial infections are another danger associated with injecting heroin. Bacteria can enter and spread throughout your body through the syringe you use for injection, leading to life-threatening consequences.

2. Mental Health Disorders

Heroin abuse affects your brain and can lead to mental health disorders such as depression. Since your brain adjusts quickly to heroin, psychological dependence develops rapidly. Once addicted, you become compulsive, and feelings of hopelessness, despair, and self-loathing intensify. This marks the initial steps toward depression. Heroin abuse and depression increase the risk of self-injury and suicide. Since heroin affects your body’s vital functions, such as the brain, it is easy to overdose. As such, it is crucial for medical professionals to assess you for depression once you begin a heroin addiction treatment program.

3. Lung Diseases

Heroin abuse slows down your lungs’ functioning. Lung diseases such as pneumonia, lung abscesses, and tuberculosis are common among heroin abusers. Heroin can also cause empyema, which is the buildup of pus in the space between your lungs and the chest wall. Heroin introduces small particles into the lungs, which clog the tiny blood vessels that absorb oxygen from the lungs. This can lead to chest pains, coughs, and shortness of breath.

What Are the Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction?

Heroin addiction treatment involves detox, therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes. You can access these treatment services at both residential and outpatient recovery centers. Detox is the first step in your recovery journey, but you should do it with a team of professionals. Therapy is an essential aspect of treating the underlying behaviors that led to your addiction. Therapy programs can also help in managing co-occurring disorders such as depression.

After completing your heroin addiction treatment program, after-care services, or ongoing treatment is vital for long-term sobriety. Join support groups or make regular visits to your therapist to ensure you do not relapse.

Seek Help at Amatus Recovery Centers Today

Heroin abuse affects not only your health but also your work, school, and the lives of your loved ones. It is never too late to get help for your addiction. At Amatus Recovery Centers, we can help you recover and lead a fulfilling life. Our treatment programs are individualized to address your unique problems. Our various recovery programs include:

If you or your loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, we are here to help you. Contact Amatus Recovery Centers today by calling 833.631.0525 or completing our convenient online form to learn more about the effects of heroin abuse and find the right treatment.


amatus recovery centers logoAmatus Recovery Centers is a leader in substance abuse and mental health treatment. We offer comprehensive treatment for every individual, treating the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the disease of addiction. However, we go beyond treating addiction and impact every part of your life. Taking these extra steps allows us to help you heal, conquer your addiction, and begin to thrive. We will give you the best chance of success. You just need to take it.