Some addictive drugs can be consumed in more than one way. An addicted person may have started by smoking or taking a drug in a pill form. As they develop a dependence on it, they need to use higher quantities to experience a similar high as what they had when they first started using. To try to enhance their experience, someone with a substance abuse issue may start injecting drugs.
Some Dangers and Complications of Intravenous (IV) Drug Use
Injecting addictive drugs is very risky and brings with it several dangers and complications.
- Drug Addiction
The first and most obvious danger to a person using IV drugs is drug addiction. Signs and symptoms of the disease include the inability to control whether to use or not, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, persistent use in spite of negative effects, and withdrawal from social activities.
- Skin Infections
Failing to clean the skin before injecting drugs or using dirty needles can lead to numerous skin infections. The most common one is cellulitis, an infection of the skin and tissues underneath. The infected skin looks red and swollen and is warm when touched.
Cellulitis can occur on the arms, legs, face, or other areas of the body. It develops when a break in the skin allows bacteria to enter the body. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and the lymph nodes. At this point, it may become a life-threatening condition.
- Hepatitis B and C
Along with skin infections, IV drug use can also lead to blood infections. Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are two of what is called a family of viruses referred to from A-E. These viruses cause inflammation of the liver and are caused by several toxins, including drugs.
Hepatitis B and C are common among IV drug users. If it is not treated, hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, which is a progressive condition that causes deterioration of liver function. Cirrhosis also leads to a particular type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma.
- HIV Infection
Sharing needles or cookers puts IV drug users at risk for contracting HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. These items may have blood in them, which makes them very risky to share among users. If the blood is infected with HIV, the infection can be spread to other people.
- Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart chambers and its valves. It is usually caused when bacteria or germs from another part of the body move through the bloodstream and then attach to these areas of the heart. If the condition does not receive prompt medical attention, it can either damage or destroy the heart valves. Complications from endocarditis can be life-threatening.
IV Drug Use Is Risky Behavior
If a loved one is using IV drugs, they may develop one or more serious health issues. The best approach is to encourage your loved one to seek professional help from a drug and alcohol treatment center.
At Great Oaks Recovery Center, we offer individualized treatment programs that are geared toward the individual needs of each client we serve. We can offer psycho-educational group sessions, individual therapy, group therapy, recreational activities, alcohol and drug educational groups, and more. Each element in the program is included to help the client reach his or her recovery goals. To learn more about our residential drug and alcohol treatment program, contact us today.
