Long-Term Effects

Heroin withdrawal is a terrifying experience that begins to torture the user within hours of the last fix.¹

The effects on the body from continued use of this drug are devastating. Frequent injections can cause collapsed veins and lead to infection of the blood vessels and heart valves. Tuberculosis* can result from the general poor condition of the body. Arthritis is another long-term result of heroin addiction.²

One element of a heroin addict’s lifestyle is sharing needles with other addicts—which can lead to HIV, AIDS or other contagious infections. It is estimated that, of the 35,000 new hepatitis C2 (a specific type of liver disease) infections each year in the United States, over 70 percent are from drug users who use needles.³

* tuberculosis: an infectious disease affecting the lungs and other organs

Abscesses from use of needles pockmark the body of a 16‑year‑old addict

• Bad teeth
• Inflammation of the gums
• Constipation
• Cold sweats
• Itching
• Weakening of the immune system
• Coma
• Respiratory illnesses
• Muscular weakness, partial paralysis
• Reduced sexual capacity and long-term impotence in men
• Menstrual disturbance in women
• Inability to achieve orgasm (women and men)
• Loss of memory and intellectual performance
• Introversion
• Depression
• Pustules on the face
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia

Heroin abuse brings about physical and mental destruction.

Updated: 2025