IV Drug Abuse: The Dangers of Shooting Up Intravenously

iv drug abuse

An Overview of IV Drug Abuse

There are many of ways for a person to take drugs. Some are ingested and some are smoked, but many are injected directly into a vein. This intravenous drug use, is frequently referred to as IV drug abuse.

The goal of IV Drug abuse is usually to ensure that the effects of the drug are experienced quickly and intensely. But there are many negative side effects that are associated with IV drug abuse. If you are injecting substances in your body and have started to realize that you have a problem, it’s time to choose an effective drug rehab program.

Intravenous drug abuse is risky and has health consequences that could follow you for the rest of your life. BetterAddictionCare can help you find the right treatment program, allowing you to get help now and start healing as soon as possible. Our individualized pre-screening process can find the best treatment center for you, including locations accepting new patients right away.

What Drugs Are Used Intravenously

Most drugs that can be broken down into a power or a liquid can be injected. However, some of the most common include:

  • Heroin
  • Cocaine
  • Oxycodone
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone
  • Morphine
  • Other opioids and opiates
  • Meth
  • Ketamine
  • PCP
  • Prescription stimulants

Consequences of IV Drug Use

IV drug use is perhaps the most dangerous form of drug use. The act of repeatedly injecting substances can cause skin and vein damage, the drugs themselves carry many risks, and the drugs and shared needles often carry deadly infections. 

Because IV drug abuse creates a faster and more powerful high, it is also more likely to cause addiction and more severe addictions.

There are multiple complications that go hand in hand with intravenous drug abuse, including:

  • Track marks
  • Scarring
  • Collapsed veins
  • Abscesses
  • Infections
  • Hepatitis
  • HIV
  • Endocarditis
  • Social isolation and loneliness
  • Work, family, and personal problems
  • Addiction
  • Overdose
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Death

Studies have found that more than 90% of intravenous drug users will develop at least one form of hepatitis at some point. 11% of IV drug abusers have had an abscess in the last 6 months. 89% of injectable drugs from the street are contaminated with at least one disease-causing organism.

Is Treatment Necessary for IV Drug Abuse?

While some IV drug abusers are able to stop without professional help, most users will require some help. This is especially true of opioid and meth abusers who often have severe addictions.

Addiction alters both the body and the mind, and this is especially true of most drugs that are typically abused intravenously. Users will experience severely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms if they cease or reduce their use, in addition to psychological cravings that can create powerful urges to use. IV drug abuse, especially over long time periods, can also greatly exaggerate mental health conditions, making it more difficult to quit.

Professional treatment can help users get through withdrawal, help them uncover underlying reasons for their addiction, and give them tools to help keep them sober. If you’re ready to overcome your IV drug abuse, call us today.

How Does IV Drug Abuse Treatment Work?

Once you’ve chosen a drug rehab center that specializes in IV drug abuse, there are several customized treatment options that you might take advantage of. 

Many patients find success when they begin addiction counseling. Despite what you may think, you aren’t the only person struggling with abuse and addiction. Counseling can be done one on one, and group sessions are often also available. Being in a group surrounded by people in a similar situation can create a safe and comfortable place to work through your experiences and learn from those of others. 

If you are interested in continuing to speak with a counselor even after your inpatient stay is complete, our local recovery teams can form a support system that can be used to help you stay clean and avoid going back to the same behaviors.

Get Help for Intravenous Drug Use Today

Don’t let substance abuse wreak havoc on your body and tear your life apart. Call today and speak with one of our client care specialists. 

Our services are 100% confidential, and our recovery network is nationwide, making it possible to find help near you or anywhere within the United States. We can also work with your private insurance to help cover some of the cost of your treatment. We can even help to coordinate transportation to the treatment facility you have selected. 

If you’ve taken a closer look at the negative consequences often associated with IV drug use, fill out our contact form and let us help you find hope.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). DrugFacts: Understanding Drug Use and Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). HIV and Injection Drug Use. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/idu.html
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/product/TIP-63-Medications-for-Opioid-Use-Disorder/SMA18-5063FULLDOC
  4. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Viral Hepatitis and Injection Drug Use. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/populations/idu.htm
  6. Strang, J., Metrebian, N., Lintzeris, N., Potts, L., Carnwath, T., Mayet, S., … & Mott, J. (2010). Supervised Injectable Heroin or Injectable Methadone versus Optimised Oral Methadone as Treatment for Chronic Heroin Addicts in England after Persistent Failure in Orthodox Treatment (RIOTT): A Randomised Trial. The Lancet, 375(9729), 1885-1895.
  7. Maher, L., & Jalaludin, B. (2004). Chasing the Dragon—Characterizing Cases of Heroin Dependence Due to the Chasing of Injecting Drug Users. Medical Journal of Australia, 181(1), 21-23.
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Syringe Services Programs. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/policy/hst/hi5/syringe/index.html
  9. Quaglio, G., Lugoboni, F., Pajusco, B., Sarti, M., Talamini, G., Lechi, A., & Mezzelani, P. (2002). High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Italian Intravenous Drug Users: Epidemiological and Bioclinical Survey. Journal of Hepatology, 30(6), 979-985.
  10. Hedrich, D., Alves, P., Farrell, M., Stöver, H., & Møller, L. (2012). Oxford Textbook of Addiction Medicine. Oxford University Press.
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