Many people imagine HIV and overdoses when they think of the problems related to heroin abuse, but addicts can face a range of other issues you might not have considered. Injecting drugs with contaminated needles can cause a deadly heart infection that has already taken many lives.
Doctors and other medical professionals struggle to defeat the problem and choose the most ethical path, and doing so is not always easy. Learning about this heart infection and its risks will give you a better idea of the dangers related to heroin use. Heroin rehab California is a safe choice if you or someone you know is battling addiction and wants a way out.
Understanding Endocarditis
The most common heart infection related to drug use is endocarditis. Even though this infection is rare, it can have devastating effects on those who encounter it. The problem starts when an infection from another part of the body travels to the heart. The germs will attach themselves to the heart valves and begin to spread, and that is when health problems become apparent. If you think you are at risk for endocarditis and want a clear answer, getting a lab test is the only way to reach your goal.
Symptoms of Endocarditis
Once the bacteria have made their way to the heart, it will take about two weeks for the symptoms to appear in many cases. The type of symptoms you can expect depends on your health and the severity of the infection, and issues related to drug abuse can complicate the situation and put you at an even greater risk. Chills, fever, fatigue and night sweats are some of the most common symptoms people experience when they have this infection. If you have endocarditis and fail to get proper treatment, the bacteria can eat your heart and cause death.
The Burden on the Medical System
The widespread use of heroin and other intravenous drugs has placed a painful burden on the health care industry. More people than ever before are getting heart infections resulting from drug abuse, but that’s not even the worst part. Many drug abusers are young people who don’t have enough health insurance to manage the fees required for proper treatment.
A lot of those people rely on government assistance for the needed funds to cure the infection before it inflicts lasting damage. The growing number of people getting addicted to heroin is making the issue progressively worse, causing many doctors to feel overburdened.
A Problem Ignored by Society
The issues that surround drug abuse and the related complications tend to remain out of sight. People don’t want to accept the reality of the problem until it impacts them or someone they know. Rather than providing proven treatment methods to those who are addicted to heroin and similar drugs, society’s answer is to place them in a jail cell and stick them with possession charges that will affect them for life.
Anyone who takes an honest look at the drug problem sweeping the nation can see that the current solution is not providing beneficial results. Viewing the issue objectively and working together is the only hope we have of containing the drug threat before it claims any more lives.
The Ethical Dilemma Faced by Doctors
Heroin use and the diseases it can cause create a dilemma for doctors. They know that most people who fall into the trap don’t have medical insurance, but no doctor wants to stand back and watch someone die. Some medical professionals treat patients and pay for it out of their own pockets because they want to make a positive difference.
The worst part is that many drug abusers return to the same doctors and hospitals for similar problems in the future. A lot of doctors feel forced to ignore repeat drug abusers so that they can spend more time saving other patients. Some medical experts believe helping drug abusers find adequate treatment would be much more cost-effective than trying to clean up the mess they leave behind.
Taking Action to Fight Heroin Addiction
If you or someone you know is fighting addiction, heroin rehab California is the solution that could save a life and prevent heart issues from drug use. The right treatment center will guide you from the start of the recovery process to a life of sobriety. You will know what steps to take so that you can move forward with your life.
In addition to learning about you, your problem and your situation, we will work with you to craft a winning approach that caters to your unique needs. Coming to Ocean Hills Recovery gives you access to the treatment and guidance you need to put your worries to rest. Our goal is for you to walk out of our treatment center as a new person, and working together is how we can make that happen.
Contact us now if you would like to learn more about how we can help or are ready to begin.
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