Short & Long-Term Effects of Using Heroin

Heroin use has many immediate effects on the body and mind. These short-term heroin effects can be intense and dangerous, especially with the potential for overdose. Recognizing these effects is important for understanding the immediate risks of heroin use.

Some of the short-term effects of heroin include:1

• Euphoria and a sense of well-being
• Dry mouth
• Warm flushing of the skin
• Heavy feeling in the arms and legs
• Severe itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Clouded mental functioning
• Going on the “nod,” a state alternating between wakefulness and drowsiness3
• Slowed breathing and heart rate
• Overdose, which can be fatal

Heroin Overdose Signs

Heroin overdose is a serious and potentially fatal risk for anyone using the drug. Recognizing the signs of an overdose can save lives. Some common signs of a heroin overdose include:3

• Slow and difficult breathing
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Disorientation and confusion
• Extreme drowsiness or inability to stay awake
• Limp body
• Clammy or cold skin
• Vomiting
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness

If you suspect someone is overdosing on heroin, it’s essential to act quickly. Call 911 immediately and, if available, administer Narcan (naloxone), a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive, keeping them awake and breathing if possible. Fast action can make all the difference in saving a life.

Long-term effects of heroin use include severe health risks that extend beyond the immediate heroin effects. Prolonged use alters the brain and body, resulting in a range of chronic health issues and potentially life-threatening conditions. Additionally, the various methods of using heroin—snorting, smoking, and injecting—each come with their unique set of health risks.

Long-term risks of heroin use may include:2,4,5

• Dependence and addiction
• Chronic constipation
• Insomnia
• Lung disease
• Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety
• Liver and kidney disease
• Heart complications
• Sexual dysfunction in men
• Irregular menstrual cycles in women

Effects of Snorting Heroin

Snorting heroin, though it avoids some of the risks associated with injecting, still carries significant dangers. These include:5,6

• Nasal perforation
• Nasal ulceration or erythema
• Nasal septum necrosis
• Pharyngeal ulceration

Signs of complications from snorting heroin may include nasal pain, purulent sputum, difficulty swallowing, and rhinitis (congestion, runny nose, sneezing, etc).6 

Effects of Smoking Heroin

Although smoking heroin may decrease some of the serious risks of injecting the drug, the risks of overdose and addiction still exist. Smoking heroin introduces the drug directly to the lungs, leading to significant respiratory issues over time. The long-term effects of smoking heroin can severely impact respiratory health.7,8,9

• Bronchospasm
• Shortness of breath
• Respiratory infections
• Increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Risk of developing asthma or worsen asthma symptoms
• Increased risk of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other lung diseases

Effects of Injecting Heroin

Injecting heroin is associated with the highest risk of severe health complications. The practice of injecting drugs directly into the bloodstream presents numerous dangers. Some of the risks of injecting heroin include:4

• Increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis C
• Collapsed veins
• Bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves
• Skin infections and abscesses
• Cellulitis
• Clogged blood vessels leading to organ damage
• Risk of tetanus and other infections from unsterile injection practices

Understanding these heroin risks is essential for those struggling with heroin addiction and their loved ones.

Getting started with heroin addiction treatment at our rehab facility in Atlanta, GA is the first step toward reclaiming your life. Our center offers a compassionate and supportive environment where you can begin your journey to recovery. The admissions process is straightforward and provides the assistance you need to get started.

Paying for rehab can be a concern for many, but we offer various options to help you manage the costs. Our team can guide you through the process of paying for rehab, including using insurance to cover addiction treatment expenses. Many insurance plans are accepted, and our staff will work with your provider to ensure you get the coverage you need. You can also verify your insurance coverage online using our secure form.  

Empowered Recovery Center provides a range of rehab programs tailored to meet your unique needs, including outpatient services like PHP and IOP, Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT), therapies, and more. Our comprehensive approach ensures you or your loved one receive the best care possible at every stage of your recovery. 

Call us today or fill out our contact form to get started with treatment. Empowered Recovery Center is here to support you every step of the way.

References

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use? Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-heroin-use
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What are the long-term effects of heroin use? Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-long-term-effects-heroin-use
3. Harm Reduction Coalition. (n.d.). Recognizing opioid overdose. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://harmreduction.org/issues/overdose-prevention/overview/overdose-basics/recognizing-opioid-overdose/
4. MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Heroin. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html
5. NIDA. 2021, April 13. What are the medical complications of chronic heroin use? Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-medical-complications-chronic-heroin-use  on August 22, 2024
6. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2013). Comorbid substance use and major depression in the transitioning adult. PubMed. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24159913/
7. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2020). Heroin addiction: Insights from neuroimaging. PMC. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7078587/
8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2017). Heroin relapse rates: Emerging research and the potential of novel therapies. PubMed. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28734637/
9. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2019). Opioid-induced neuroplasticity: Implications for treatment and relapse. PubMed. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31166873/