reduced volume of the hippocampus and people addicted to methamphetamine and heroin have intracranial and extracranial artery dysfunction.
Early onset of cardiac, cerebrovascular, kidney, and liver disease: Cocaine use is commonly linked with hypertension, tachycardia, and stroke. Amphetamines produce disturbances in cardiac rhythm, kidney damage and stroke. Heroin has been known as a cause of chronic brain small vessel disease and heart disease. There is also a link between opioid addiction and diabetes that’s “often unrecognized and overlooked,” researchers stated.
“Drug-addicted individuals exhibit unique aging-related biomarkers that are not routinely identified, and therefore require additional attention,” researchers wrote. “Further research is needed to adapt screening tools, risk scores and prognostic models for early identification of at-risk individuals in order to reduce premature morbidity and mortality in this population.”
Author: Cesar Gamboa
Cesar Gamboa is a staff reporter and editor for Addiction Now covering topics ranging from legislation to scientific studies. He was previously a general assignment reporter for the Orange County Register. SoCal raised, lover of books, and avid mountain biker (when he wants to be). He can be reached at cesarg@addictionnow.com.
