Heroin is a powerful addictive drug sweeping the United States causing intense euphoria and strong physical dependence in its users. Heroin is processed from a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seedpod of certain varieties of poppy plants and appears as a white or brown powdery substance. Heroin is highly addictive because it enters the brain rapidly and affects those regions of the brain responsible for producing physical dependence.
This dangerous drug affects all decision-making, reaction time, the way one thinks, actions, and memory. Heroin addicts, who use regularly, develop a tolerance. To get the same effect from the drug, the user must have higher doses, which in turn causes physical dependence and addiction. Despite the glamorization of heroin chic in films, fashion, and music, heroin use can have tragic consequences that extend far beyond its users. Fetal effects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, violence, and crime are all linked to its use. Long-term effects of heroin use are also devastating to the body and mind. The affect of heroin on the body is dependent on the method of administration.
Heroin can be taken orally, which is metabolized before crossing the blood-brain barrier; snorted, which results in onset within 10 to 15 minutes; smoked, which has immediate effects; intravenously injected, which results in rush and euphoria within 7 to 8 seconds; and, intramuscularly injected which takes longer but results in onset within 5 to 8 minutes. Finally, heroin can kill. Of all reported drug abuse deaths, heroin is one of the top two most frequent.
Withdrawal can occur anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours after the last dose and symptoms can include: drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and kicking movements. For the user trying to quit, medications and behavior therapies are the most common treatment options.