Overview
Gangrene refers to the death of body tissue as a result of lost blood supply, which can be a downstream consequence of the complications of many different conditions. It should be seen as a life-threatening emergency that warrants immediate care and surgical interventions.
Within the umbrella of substance use, gangrene can begin as a result of injecting drugs into arteries instead of veins which cuts off blood flow to tissues, vasospams as a result of stimulants like cocaine, infections and abscesses from unclean injections, and a generally weakened immune system that becomes more susceptible to other infections.