Heroin use can be very dangerous.  Individuals are at risk of overdosing and acquiring diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV from sharing needles.  It is also dangerous for pregnant woman. Those who use heroin while with child, may experience a spontaneous abortion. Pulmonary problems, pneumonia, clogged blood vessels and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys are also possibilities.  

There are many dangers associated with heroin use. Besides the most obvious, 'overdose'. Individuals may also develop an entire host of ailments and problems.  Some will be physical and others psychological.  We have already mentioned some of the physical dangers above. Let’s expand on those first and then touch on the psychological risks of being addicted to heroin.

Individuals who become chronic users of heroin may develop infections of the heart valve and heart lining. This is extremely dangerous and will require medical attention.  Damage to the kidneys, liver and also the heart may develop because of the additives used to get heroin ready for sale. Often times, dealers will mix heroin with other substances to make it stretch and so that it's not as potent. These can clog the blood vessels making it difficult for blood to get to the organs, subsequently, they can become damaged. If they become too damage they may stop working and the individual will die.

Hepatitis and HIV are extreme risks for those who shoot up heroin.  Many times, individuals are under the influence or they simply do not care about using clean needles and thus share them with other users.  If someone has HIV or Hepatitis C, whoever uses that needle is susceptible to having the disease transmitted to them.

Besides the physical dangers there are also many psychological and relational ones. Individuals hooked on heroin may become depressed, psychotic and paranoid.  They may also ruin family relationships, destroy friendship ties and will likely find it difficult to hold down a job.  Those who are severely addicted and have young children may lose custody of them because they are not able to care for them.  There are many dangers and risks associated with heroin use and addiction.  Individual's may severely damage their body and ruin important relationships or worse, die.