Why Drug Addicts Are At High Risk Of Contracting Coronavirus

Drug addicts are particularly at high risk of contracting coronavirus since their habits create underlying health conditions. Any disorder in the body that occurs due to drug abuse causes a weakened immune system increasing the chances of getting coronavirus.

Additionally, nationwide emergencies produce the best and worst actions in human behaviors while controlling coronavirus. For instance, the government is currently focusing on risks facing older people contracting this virus, and tend to ignore drug addicts who are also vulnerable to coronavirus.

What Drug Addiction Does to Immune System Increasing Risks of Coronavirus

Almost all drug addicts experience several side effects of the frequent consumption of illicit substances. Also, long-term struggles with drug abuse cause extensive damage to the immune system, which protects our bodies from infections.

Intoxicating substances may harm the immune system directly, and the mode of consumption may increase higher risk of diseases, besides a lower immune response.

Even if drug addicts do not get more severe health problems, such as liver failure or heart diseases, the damage produced in the immune system can cause a quick infection of coronavirus. 

How Cocaine Affects the Immune System Vulnerable to Coronavirus

Cocaine and other illicit drugs can act as immunosuppressants that weaken your immune system. A compromised immune system due to drug addiction increases high risks to coronavirus.

 Furthermore, research conducted by the Journal of Biological Psychiatry in 2013 discovered that regular cocaine users were more likely to get infectious diseases than those without drug addiction habits. 

Additionally, researchers stated that infectious illnesses are the most popular and expensive health problems caused by drug addiction. Chronic drug addicts are specifically at high risk of contracting infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and C, including coronavirus, even without injecting drugs.

Also, some drug abuse specialists state that cocaine can harm your immune system in other ways too. For instance, sniffing cocaine ruins the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. Later, it can result in upper respiratory infections and high risks to coronavirus infections. 

Intravenous Drug Addicts and Sniffers at High Risks

Drug addicts who inject drugs are at high-risk and most neglected from the national interest as people at risk of coronavirus. When drug abusers share needles, they have a high risk of contracting different blood-borne viruses. These include hepatitis and HIV, and possibly coronavirus. Minimizing this risk would be simple if clean needles are more readily available. 

Again, some people frequently sniff and abuse drugs such as cocaine. Many sniffers perform such acts using folded money notes. Such notes can carry and spread the virus’ infections so quickly through nasal membranes.  

What Should Drug Addicts Do to Minimize Contracting Coronavirus

If you are a regular drug user, chances are you have a weakened immune system at risk to coronavirus. Therefore, you should aim to avoid drug addiction and stay as healthy as possible. 

Also, consulting a rehab program to overcome addiction can help you recover fully. If you need more information on how to get started for a recovery program, contact us for assistance and advice.