About Heroin

Heroin is a central nervous system depressant which comes from the Asian opium poppy. As a derivative of morphine, a drug used medically to dull effects of severe physical pain, heroin has very similar effects. Heroin generally comes in powder from, color ranging from white to dark brown. Another kind of heroin in referred to as Mexican black tar heroin, a tar-like chunk usually mixed and melted with water to be injected. Heroin addicts often snort or inject the drug, as these methods are the most common among users. Alternatively, heroin can be heated on foil and the smoke inhaled through a straw. This method tends to be more popular among younger users.

Effects of Heroin

Heroin has immediate effects once administered, usually noticeable within a couple of minutes. When heroin is administered, the user will feel a sudden rush of euphoria and a warming of the body along with heaviness of the extremities. After the rush, heroin users will experience a feeling of drowsiness, struggling to keep their eyes open as they vacillate between wakeful and drowsy states. This is referred to as nodding off, when the heroin user will fall asleep for seconds, then wake up. Under the influence of heroin, breathing is labored and speech is slurred. The user’s heart rate can become irregular and slow to the point of arrest, signs of accidental overdose. Heroin overdose is indicated when the depressive effect heroin has on breathing and heart rate cause the user to stop breathing altogether. Last year, an estimated 400,000 people were admitted to hospital emergency rooms due to accidental heroin overdose. Hundreds more don’t make it to the hospital and without medical care, overdoses are fatal. The abuse of heroin is determined by the user’s tolerance to the drug. The longer the time period of abuse, the more heroin is needed for the addict to obtain the same rush of euphoria, increasing the potential of overdose.

Heroin addicts can feel a high for periods of several minutes to hours, depending on tolerance and the amount of heroin administered. One of the bigger reasons heroin addicts continue their addictive behaviors despite negative consequences is the withdrawal symptoms. Unlike cocaine or meth, heroin use does result in physical dependency. Heroin addicts in withdrawal commonly experience severe drug craving, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold flashes, muscle pains, and overall flu-like symptoms. These symptoms generally take effect a few hours after the last administration, but peak in severity between 48 and 72 hours. Depending on the severity of the addiction, heroin withdrawal can take a few days and for some, several weeks. In most cases, heroin withdrawal is not fatal for otherwise healthy individuals. However, for addicts in poor health and suffering from other conditions, withdrawal can be severe enough to cause death if the addict is not properly monitored in a medically equipped environment with trained professionals.

Heroin addiction is a major contributor in the HIV/AIDS epidemic as many heroin addicts share infected needles in their desperate attempts to get the next high and avoid the uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms. Many metropolitan areas have incorporated a needle exchange program where addicts can exchange their used needles for new, clean ones. Addicts can also get information on safer shooting methods, literature on addiction and in most cases support for recovery if they’re ready to get clean. This program is highly controversial as many opponents feel that while it helps to keep many infected needles off the streets, it does not address the bigger problem of addiction. The debate rages on in society, among treatment professionals, and in blogs and forums around the world. In the mean time, millions of people struggle with heroin addiction.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

Heroin addiction is very difficult to overcome since it causes both psychological and physical dependence. The first step is always detoxification, when the addict will go through the withdrawal process under the care of medical professionals who can monitor the progress of the detox and try to make it as safe and comfortable as possible for the addict. The detoxification process is essential for recovery from heroin addiction because the physical dependence must be eliminated before psychological recovery can begin. Like any other addiction, heroin addiction can be treated and with the proper care and a positive and determined attitude, sobriety can be achieved. In any case of addiction, the addict must be completely determined to get clean before the miracle of sobriety can happen.

Many different forms of treatment are available for heroin addiction, but research has shown that long term treatment has an overwhelmingly better outcome than short term treatment. Finding the right treatment center and program for each individual need is imperative, making in depth research all the more important. We are here to help with that research and all information regarding addictions and treatment. Please explore the rest of our links for information and resources. If you are concerned about someone else’s drug use or your own, please fill out our free confidential assessment and we will get back to you immediately to discuss the specifics of your situation and available options for you. If there is anything we can assist you with in finding information or resources, please feel free to call us anytime, day or night. We are here to help.