Malnutrition Due to Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction is notorious for its dangers that do not come directly from the drug. Malnutrition is one of those dangers. The heroin itself does not cause the malnutrition. The drug does cause a loss of appetite. It is the loss of appetite that leads to malnutrition from heroin addiction.

Significance

• Malnutrition does not seem to be a major effect of heroin addiction. However, it is one that can exacerbate other complications caused by heroin use, such as infection, disease and rheumatological problems. Nutrients from food are used to make the immune cells function. Without those nutrients, the immune system's ability to fight disease is inhibited. Disease and infection then can take over a weakened system easily.

Features

• A malnourished heroin addict will be underweight, with a bad complexion and digestive problems, such as constipation. Malnutrition also results in muscle aches and fatigue.

Complications

• In addition to inhibiting the body's ability to fight infection and disease, a heroin addict's malnutrition can lead to the loss of basic bodily functions. Hair stops growing and eventually falls out, the body stops growing, and women of childbearing age stop menstruating. Tooth decay is also possible.

Treatment

• To treat the malnutrition, doctors administer nutrient-rich solutions to the addict. However, the heroin addiction must also receive treatment. A heroin addict will continue to live with little to no appetite until the drug is out of his system and his habit is being managed. Otherwise, the addict will slip back into a malnourished state once the emergency treatment is done.

Misconceptions

• Some people believe that only long-term heroin addicts suffer from malnutrition. However, any user can suffer from this condition after days of not eating or eating foods with little to no nutritional value.