Intravenous Drug Use and Health Complications

Intravenous drug use (IDU) poses severe health risks due to direct exposure to harmful substances and unhygienic practices. Common complications include infections like HIV, hepatitis B and C, and bacterial endocarditis. Non-sterile needles increase the risk of abscesses and vein damage. Long-term IDU often leads to systemic health issues, including cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. Harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs and supervised injection sites, aim to mitigate these risks. Coupled with addiction treatment, these interventions improve health outcomes and reduce the societal burden of IDU-related complications.