It’s important to note that there isn’t a set recipe that guarantees someone develops any sort of substance use disorder, heroin included. There are, however, many factors that are frequently shared between those who do have a heroin use disorder.
One of the most common contributing factors to heroin use is untreated mental health conditions. Depression, trauma, anxiety, and more can leave people feeling helpless. The effects of heroin and the social interaction that often comes with it can seem like the answer to a person’s problems at first, marking the beginning of the cycle.
On top of this, the side effects of heroin can lead to a cycle of returning to use. People not only chase the euphoria felt during a high but often seek it out again if they experience withdrawal in order to alleviate the discomfort.
Opioids like heroin interfere with how our brain and body functions. The more frequently you take it, the more your body adjusts to it being present. When you then remove heroin from the equation, your body reacts as it adjusts to the substance no longer being present. This process and the many side effects that come with it are known as withdrawal and are a leading cause of continued use of substances like heroin.