HEROIN

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as a black sticky substance.

Heroin is cut with a variety of substances because of this heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents and are at risk of overdose or death.

Heroin can be injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most usual way to administer heroin.

Physical Effects

Intravenous users typically experience the rush within 7 to 8 seconds after injection, while intramuscular injection produces a slower onset of the euphoric feeling, taking 5 to 8 minutes. When heroin is sniffed or smoked, the peak effects of the drug are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes. Users who inject heroin will feel a euphoric surge or rush , their mouths may become dry, they may begin to nod in and out and their arms and legs will feel heavy and rubbery. They may experience a diminished mental capacity and dulled emotions. The effects of heroin lasts three to four hours after each dose has been administered.

One of the most significant effects of heroin use is addiction.  Tolerance to the drug develops with regular heroin use. Once this happens, the abuser must use more heroin to achieve the same intensity or effect that they are seeking. As higher doses of the drug are used over time, physical dependence and addiction to the drug develop.

When the drug is discontinued, the user will experience physical withdrawal. The withdrawal can begin within a few hours since it was last administered. Withdrawal symptoms may include: Restlessness, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps, kicking movements and muscle and bone pain. Sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent users who are in poor health can occasionally be fatal, although heroin withdrawal is considered less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal.