Heroin is chemically similar to endorphins (Latin
for 'morphine from within') and such is not highly
toxic to the body. However, the body quickly
develops a tolerance to opiates, and so those
provided medically for pain killing purposes tend to have a
reduced effect.
It is more the method of taking the drug,
particularly by intravenous injection, that causes
the detrimental health effects.
Short Term
Opiates cause a suppression of the cough reflex,
putting users at greater risk of chest infections.
They also cause constipation.
Particularly in users with a low tolerance to the
drug, respiratory depression (overdose) is always a
risk.
Long Term
The most common health implication of Heroin use is
physical and psychological dependence. Again,
changes in tolerance can cause an increased risk of
overdose.
Due to lifestyle factors, and a common desire
amongst users to spend money on the drug rather than
on food and general healthcare and appearance can
suffer (as suggested by the poster in the
background).
The other common health implication of long term use
is physical dependence. Stopping taking the drug
once a user has become dependent on it results in
'withdrawal' symptoms, usually characterised by
goose pimpled flesh (hence 'going cold turkey'),
chills, anxiety, aches and pains, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea (remember opiates make you constipated),
sneezing, insomnia and cramps (to name but a few).
Some people get muscle spasms that cause involuntary
leg movements (hence kicking the habit).
However, unlike detoxing from
alcohol or benzodiazepines, Heroin withdrawal is not
considered life threatening.
