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unless you overdose, opiate use doesn't affect lifespan or mental acuity.

the first list of nasty stuff listed are temporary side effects, the second is withdrawl and getting dopesick. the thing is, despite the dramatics of the symptoms you can tie a heroin addict to a lampost, come back three days later and find them alive, the same isn't always true when it comes to serious drinkers or housewives who eat benzos like cookiemonster. BP-up, heart go pop. me garfield. roar.

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Specific risks depending on form of administration:
If snorted: damage to the nasal septum and mucous membranes.
If smoked: damage to bronchial tubes and lungs
If injected: inflamed veins and, in the case of contaminated injection needles and pumps, infectious diseases (hepatitis C, HIV, AIDS, fungal and bacterial infections).

General risks:
With regular use, damage to the organs may occur due to impurities in the heroin, constipation and decreased sex drive. The intensity of the effect continuously decreases and so the dose has to be increased constantly in order to attain the same effect (development of tolerance). Regular injection, snorting or smoking of heroin may result in addiction (psychological dependency). With daily use, there is also the risk of the development of physical dependency, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when heroin is not used (running nose, tears in the eyes, restlessness and anxiety, shivering, diarrhoea, vomiting, disturbed sleep).

When the money is sporadic the symptoms are constant. No junkey can keep the money flowing forever.