The Medical Sequelae of Narcotic Addiction

Abstract

The disease states associated with addiction to narcotics were reviewed. There is a decidedly increased mortality among addicts. Since the size of the addict population is not clearly known the true extent of the increase is also unclear. The principal cause of dealth appears to be sudden collapse with pulmonary edema following intravenous injection. Other conditions associated with narcotic usage are tetanus, septicemia, tuberculosis, hepatitis, an unknown type of chronic liver disease, endocraditis, skin abcesses, thromboplebitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension due to foreign body granuloma, and complications of pregnancy. No longer seen is the malaria which was at one time the most widely recognized addiction-associated disease state. The significance of these disease states for large scale addict rehabilitation program planning is immediate and obvious. These programs when fully realized should provide a medical screening and continuous medical supervision. The significance for individual physicians is also stressed. Gaps in our knowledge are indicated and the need for further investigation of important causes of addict morbidity and mortality are stressed.