Heroin use poses serious dangers, with one of its greatest risks being overdose that results in respiratory depression, in which breathing slows or stops, followed by death. Repeated use can cause dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Heroin also increases the risk of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, especially when injected with shared needles. Other dangers include collapsed veins, heart infections, liver and kidney damage, and impaired mental function. Unpredictable drug purity and contamination, such as with the powerful opioid drug fentanyl, significantly increase the risk of fatal overdose.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style