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Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse

Kidney Damage

Picture of kidney

Estimated annual dialysis cost for just one person who has wrecked his own kidneys by shooting heroin ("heroin nephropathy"): $50,000.

Source: A paraphrase from the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES, 40(3):611-622, Lee H © 2002 National Kidney Foundation.

Some drugs may cause kidney damage or failure, either directly or indirectly from dangerous increases in body temperature and muscle breakdown.

Drugs that can cause kidney damage:

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Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health

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Questions for our staff? E-mail information@nida.nih.gov or call 301-443-1124 (240-221-4007 en español).

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