Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that can produce intense feelings of euphoria, pain relief, and relaxation. However, heroin use also comes with many negative consequences, both in the short and long term. In this article, we will explore some of the common issues that are related to long-term heroin use, such as pleasure, depression, hypoxia, and mood swings.
Pleasure
One of the main reasons why people use heroin is to experience the pleasurable effects of the drug. Heroin binds to opioid receptors in the brain and activates the reward system, which releases dopamine and other neurotransmitters that create a sense of well-being and satisfaction. However, this pleasure is short-lived and fades quickly as the drug wears off. This leads to a cycle of repeated use and increased tolerance, which means that more heroin is needed to achieve the same level of pleasure.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), repeated heroin use changes the physical structure and physiology of the brain, creating long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed. These changes can affect decision-making abilities, behavior regulation, and responses to stressful situations. Moreover, chronic heroin use can reduce the brain’s ability to produce its own natural opioids, which are essential for normal functioning and mood regulation. This can result in a state of chronic dysphoria, or low mood, when not using heroin.
Depression
Depression is another common issue that is related to long-term heroin use. Depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression can affect a person’s physical health, social relationships, work performance, and quality of life.
There are several factors that can contribute to depression among heroin users. One factor is the withdrawal symptoms that occur when heroin use is reduced or stopped abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), and leg movements. These symptoms can be very unpleasant and distressing, and can last for several days or weeks.
Another factor is the co-occurrence of other mental disorders, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or personality disorders. These disorders can increase the risk of developing depression or worsen its severity. Additionally, some people may use heroin as a way of self-medicating their underlying mental health problems, which can create a vicious cycle of dependence and worsening symptoms.
A third factor is the social and environmental consequences of heroin use. Heroin use can lead to isolation from family and friends, loss of employment or education opportunities, legal problems, financial difficulties, homelessness, violence, or exposure to infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. These factors can create a lot of stress and hardship for heroin users, which can trigger or exacerbate depression.
Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a condition where the body or a part of the body does not receive enough oxygen. Hypoxia can cause serious damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Hypoxia is one of the potential complications of heroin overdose.
Heroin overdose occurs when a person takes too much heroin or combines it with other substances such as alcohol or benzodiazepines. Heroin overdose can cause respiratory depression, which means that breathing becomes slow and shallow or stops altogether. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the blood and the tissues. If not treated promptly with naloxone (a medication that reverses opioid overdose), hypoxia can lead to coma, brain damage, organ failure, or death.
Hypoxia can also occur as a result of chronic respiratory issues that are associated with long-term heroin use. Smoking heroin can damage the lungs and increase the risk of tuberculosis and pneumonia. Snorting heroin can damage the nasal tissue and cause inflammation and bleeding. Injecting heroin can damage the blood vessels and cause blood clots or infections. All these conditions can impair the respiratory function and cause hypoxia.
Mood Swings
Mood swings are sudden and extreme changes in mood or emotional state. Mood swings can range from euphoria to depression, from anger to apathy, from anxiety to calmness. Mood swings can affect a person’s behavior, thoughts, feelings, and interactions with others.
Mood swings are often related to long-term heroin use because of the fluctuations in brain chemistry that are caused by the drug. Heroin alters the levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine
