| The major risks of intravenous drug use results from | | | | that affect the liver. Hepatitis can become chronic |
| unsanitary conditions. Dirty syringes and paraphernalia | | | | and develop into serious complications such as |
| cause blood borne diseases and infections. Bacteria | | | | cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is a high risk of |
| are the cause of abscesses at injection sites. They | | | | overdose when injecting heroin. The potency varies |
| can lead to sepsis and limb amputation if left | | | | and the user has no way of knowing how strong the |
| untreated. Sepsis is a serious complication, which | | | | drug is. |
| results in death unless the user is administered | | | | Meth poses a danger for different reasons than |
| intravenous antibiotics immediately. Infection can | | | | heroin. Injecting meth is a danger due to the |
| spread from the original injection site to include the | | | | systemic effect the drug produces. A sudden surge |
| whole arm or leg, resulting in emergency amputation | | | | of meth into the body, such as when injected, |
| of the limb. Injecting drugs in the leg can cause | | | | causes a spike in blood pressure. A sudden rise in |
| circulation problems, which also can lead to | | | | blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart attacks. |
| amputation. | | | | This affect poses a higher risk in someone with |
| Injection of heroin is dangerous due to the bacteria | | | | pre-existing hypertension or cardiac problems. |
| found in the drug. It is produced in unsanitary | | | | Abscesses and infection also occur with meth |
| conditions and adulterated with anything from talcum | | | | injection, although not as often as with heroin. |
| powder to milk sugar. Endocarditis is common among | | | | Intravenous drug use, considered the worst form of |
| heroin abusers. Bacteria from the drug infect the lining | | | | abuse, is a problem. Drug use, no matter how |
| of the heart. Liver disease such as Contracting | | | | innocent it seems, needs addressing. Any drug can |
| hepatitis and cirrhosis is a common problem. | | | | lead to intravenous use. The key is to resolve the |
| Repeated use damages the liver, scars form that | | | | problem while it is small, before it becomes full-blown |
| develops into cirrhosis. Hepatitis B and C are viruses | | | | addiction. |