Most people who face a drug addiction or similar problem did not plan on ending up in such a situation. Various factors could contribute to a person experimenting with drugs, and those factors could range from peer pressure to looking for stress relief. Unfortunately, many drugs are highly addictive, and though you may have thought you could try a substance once or twice and not face serious repercussions, you quickly realized that this was not the case.
When a person begins using drugs, brain chemistry begins to change. As a result, individuals may need more of a substance to get high or suffer behavioral changes that causes them to act in reckless or dangerous ways. In particular, heroin use can have serious effects on the body and mind, and you could also end up in a serious legal situation if you are found in possession or dealing this substance.
Immediate effects
Many people choose to use heroin due to the immediate effects it can have on the body. The substance can make people feel pleasure and exhilaration, which is often what is referred to when speaking of a “high.” This intense feeling typically causes users to come back for more, but the long-term effects could have many detrimental outcomes.
Negative effects
Though the long-term effects of heroin use present the biggest issues, negative impacts can show themselves alongside the high feelings. Some of those effects include:
- Itchiness
- A “foggy” brain feeling
- Drifting in and out of consciousness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
When it comes to even more serious impacts, some of those effects include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Lung problems
- Infections relating to the heart
- Tissue damage
- Collapsed veins
- Insomnia
- Abscesses
These issues could pose severe health problems and could potentially even prove fatal. Additionally, a person faces a considerable risk of death if he or she overdoses on the substance.
Addiction
Heroin is a highly addictive substance, which is why many people need more of it to have the desired impacts. This addiction could also contribute to individuals looking for ways to obtain the drug or get money to pay for it, and in many cases, parties tend to carry out illegal acts to do so.
Facing charges
Because heroin is an illegal substance, you could face serious charges if police suspect you of possessing, intending to distribute, dealing or trafficking the substance. If allegations have been brought against you, you may feel panicked and confused. Luckily, you can take steps to learn more about your rights and legal options and how to potentially defend against accusations of such drug crimes.