Intravenous Injections And Addiction Part 2

Intravenous Injections And Addiction Part 2

By:


In Part 1 of Intravenous Injections and Addiction, we talked about the methods and risks of intravenous drug consumption, as well as the consequences for users. These consequences include scars, sores, open wounds, and potentially deadly infections at injection sites, as well as the extremely rapid formation of addictions. Drugs which people most commonly use intravenously, such as morphine, heroine, and other opiates also carry the most severe legal consequences. However, people who use hypodermic needles to inject drugs expose themselves to other, even more serious risks, many of which can result in fatal complications. Because of these dangers, it is critical that society understand the risks associated with intravenous drug use. Here are some of the worst:

Overdose

Intravenous drug users, or IDUs, often favor injection over other methods of consumption because it leads to a more powerful high. When a person puts a substance directly into their bloodstream, they bypass most of the metabolic processes associated with drinking or eating and avoid any chemical degradation from smoking, inhaling, or sniffing. The blood concentration of that substance is thus much higher than it would be with other types of consumption, and more of it can reach the brain to cause a release of dopamine. Overall, this process produces a quick and powerful euphoric effect.

In total, these characteristics make relapse more likely with intravenous consumption than with smoking or drinking. It can be difficult to predict dosages with needles, and injections make it impossible to moderate consumption. When drug users smoke or drink a substance, they can stop once they experience a high, but injections occur in one, large dose. Overall, this type of consumption carries enormous risks of overdose which must be treated immediately by medical professionals in order to save abusers lives.

Hepatitis C

Needle sharing, repeat uses, and dirty needles carry enormous risk of blood borne illness for intravenous drug users. One of the most dangerous of these diseases is Hepatitis C, a liver condition common among IDUs which often leads to scarring and cancer growth in the liver. Though symptoms sometimes dont appear until years after contraction, Hepatitis C is also incurable.

HIV / AIDS

Another blood borne illness, HIV has reached epidemic levels among IDUs. Users who share needles put themselves and others at astounding risk of contraction. In fact, some researchers believe that over a third of all AIDS patients in the United States contracted HIV by injecting a drug with a needle used by someone who already had the disease.

IDUs often engage in dangerous sexual practices, as well, compounding the HIV problem. They also have sex with people who dont use drugs (at least not intravenously), and those people may later have other non-drug-using partners. The risk of HIV and AIDS is thus passed on from the community of IDUs to a much larger segment of the population.

The risks of intravenous drug use are severe for individuals and their communities. If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug addiction, use the links below for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our specialists are standing by to help you day and night.

About the Author:
For a free, confidential consultation, click here for drug addiction treatment Florida - our experts can help you no matter where you are or what time it is.

To check your insurance or ask a question about our programs, click here for one of the country's most successful drug addiction rehab programs.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Health Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.