Pregnant women who are dependent on heroin have a higher risk for spontaneous abortions, breech deliveries, premature births and stillbirths. Babies born to heroin-addicted mothers often have withdrawal symptoms similar to adults. These symptoms may last serveral weeks or months. Long-term Effects One of the most adverse affects of heroin use is addiction. Heroin is highly addictictive because it activates many regions of the brain, especially the pleasure-producing areas.
Physical dependence develops with higher doses of the drug.
With physical dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms appear when the drug usage stops. Physical dependence along with the pleasurable, euphoric sensations experienced significantly affect the user's loss of control and the drug's habit-forming action. Before the 1990's, heroin was accurately perceived as a dangerous drug that was widely feared. The glamorization of heroin use by the media has created a fashionable mystique which has contributed to the significant rise in heroin use among many teens and young adults. Heroin-related deaths of numerous music and Hollywood celebrities are glamorized and mythologized even as other pop idols continue to celebrate heroin and other drugs in their music.