Heroin is an extremely potent and addictive opioid drug processed from morphine; morphine is found in the opium poppy. Heroin is primarily injected intravenously and produces a quick and powerful high. Because it is highly addictive physically and psychologically, treatment for heroin addiction should be addressed immediately with professional treatment.

Are you or someone you care about addicted? Get help now from one of the heroin treatment centers on by Recoverycorps.org.

Heroin Facts
Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is a powerful semi-synthetic opiate made from morphine which is extracted from the poppy plant. It appears as a white or brown powder or as a crudely processed black substance—sticky like roofing tar—known as Mexican black tar.

On the street, heroin is sold in bags (30 to 50 milligrams) and is rarely pure. Usually 1 to 10 percent is heroin; the majority is cut with sugar, starch, acetaminophen, procaine, benzocaine, quinine or any other of the numerous cutting agents.

Heroin was first synthesized from morphine in 1874 and was first used commercially as a pain remedy in 1898. It was marketed and sold over-the-counter by Bayer. Heroin was banned in the U.S. in 1914 as part of the Harrison Narcotics Act.

Heroin is grown and imported from four principle areas: Colombia, Mexico, Burma, Afghanistan.

Heroin is a Schedule I narcotic in the U.S. on the Controlled Substances Act.

Common street names: Smack, Dope, Junk, Mud, Brown Sugar, Brown, 'H', Big H, Horse, Charley, China White, Boy, Harry, Mr. Brownstone, Dr. Feelgood

Ways of Getting High
Injection into a vein is one of the most common ways of using heroin. Also called slamming, banging, shooting up and mainlining. Because users share needles without sterilization this is also a common way to get HIV or hepatitis. “Skinpopping” is injecting heroin right below the skin.

Smoking is done with glass pipes. Another method—chasing the dragon—involves heating it up on aluminum foil with a lighter and then smoking through a straw.

Snorting involves crushing the heroin to a fine powder and then inhaling if through a straw or dollar bill. Sniffing liquefied heroin through a nasal spray bottle or “shebanging” is another method. “Crisscrossing” is snorting heroin with cocaine.

“Plugging” is an anal or vaginal suppository. Swallowing is less common because it’s less potent.

Short-Term Effects
Heroin users feel an initial euphoria followed by a warm rush of the skin, dry mouth and heavy arms and legs. This occurs in 7 to 8 seconds after an intravenous injection. Intramuscular injection takes 5 to 8 minutes for the high. Smoking or snorting: 10 to 15 minutes.

After the euphoria wears off, the user alternates between drowsy and wakeful states. This is combined with clouded mental functioning.

Long-Term Effects
Long-term effects become evident in the user after repeated use. Users may develop collapsed veins, abscesses, liver disease and infection of the heart lining and valves. Other effects include pneumonia and pulmonary complications.
Heroin addiction is the most significant long-term effect. Regular users develop a tolerance meaning users need more heroin to achieve the same high. This results in a physical dependence over time. 

Use and Abuse Statistics
About 23% of heroin users become addicted to it.
 
In 2008, the average first-time heroin user was 23-years-old.

In one study, 3.8 million Americans aged 12 and older reported trying heroin at least once.

Estimates of first-time users between 2002 and 2008 was 91,000 to 118,000 per year. In 2009, 180,000 people used heroin for the first time.

In a 2009 survey, 13% of the kids aged 12 to 17 said heroin would be "fairly easy" or "very easy" for them to obtain.

Federal trafficking penalties for a first offense (100 to 999 grams) is not less than five years and not more than 40 years.

Of all the HIV infections in the U.S. each year, 70–80% are injection drug users.

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, of the 113 million emergency room visits in the U.S. in 2006, 189,780 were heroin-related.

Don’t be a statistic. Get heroin therapy right now.

Heroin Rehabilitation and Therapy
Heroin rehab is usually a combination of medications and behavior therapy. Addicts should always start rehab in a heroin treatment center under professional observation.

Heroin recovery starts with detoxification. Withdrawal symptoms which can peak at 48 to 72 hours after the last dose and will usually last for a week, include:

  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Insomnia
  • Vomiting
  • Restlessness

Several of the treatment medications include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.  

Behavior therapy includes group and individual counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy where the patient’s thinking related to drug abuse is modified. Contingency management—a reward-based program for negative drug tests—is also used.

Start your heroin recovery right now by contacting a treatment center.

References:
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/heroin.asp
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/doa-p.pdf
http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9ResultsP.pdf
http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/heroin.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/heroin/heroin_ff.html