The physical toll of many of the common street drugs is quite well known.Heroin is not particularly harmful to the body except if overdosed. Then it is frequently fatal. The harm to the body comes from the method of using and long term or frequent use. Heroin for example destroys appetite, disrupts a womanâ??s menstrual cycle, and weakens the immune system, reducing the ability to fight off infection. Injecting street heroin with the impurities it contains and with unsterile injecting equipment is dangerous. Vein damage can be extensive, with abscess formation and thromboses. Can lead to gangrene and amputation. Infection can also be spread through the blood to other parts of the body including the heart, bone and brain. By sharing injecting equipment or through prostitution, injecting heroin users are prone to serious liver disease known as hepatitis C ( and to a lesser extent hepatitis B) and HIV (AIDS).

Long-term heroin addiction either contributes directly to lowered oral health status, or more likely, causes individuals to lead a life style which has ramifications to their oral health. Extensive damage to periodontal tissue and extensive tooth decay is often present. The direct effects on physical health of drugs and alcohol are compounded by effects of the lifestyle.

• Lack of regular sleep
• Lack of adequate diet
• Lack of regular exercise
• Lack of quality relaxation
• Lack of health and dental care

Sleep deprivation compromises the immune system by altering the blood levels of specialized immune cells and important proteins, resulting in a greater than normal chance of infections. Without sufficient rest, emotional mood deteriorates. With increased lack of sleep, individuals experience depression, loss of sense of humour, reduced desire to socialize, increase in irritability, and become indecisive. There is reduced ability to keep attention fixed, impaired memory, loss in logical reasoning ability, increased length of reaction time. Addiction leads to a disturbance of lifestyle in which adequate nourishment is neglected. Absorption and metabolism of nutrients are also impaired.

The combination of the actual harmful effects of the drug being abused, when multiplied by the affects of sleep impairment and other life style changes, mean the actual physical effects of drug addiction are many times what might simply be expected from the drug itself. Because of this combination effect the value of drug rehabs can be seen. The fastest correction in both stopping substance abuse and changing lifestyle tends to accur best in a drug rehab situation.

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