Information on heroin is prevalent these days on the Internet. We feel that it is our responsibility to provide viewers with a complete and accurate overview of heroin. Heroin is an illegal opiate drug. It is highly addictive as users find that they have a need for persistent, repeated use of the drug (known as craving) and that their attempts to stop using the drug lead to significant and painful physical withdrawal symptoms. Use of heroin causes physical and psychological problems such as shallow breathing, nausea, panic, insomnia, and a need for increasingly higher doses of the drug to get the same effect.

Heroin is a white to brown powder or gummy substance derived from the opium poppy, is injected directly into a vein, sniffed, or smoked. Typically, heroin is used every four to six hours in doses of 4 to 8 milligrams each. The intense euphoria of heroin lasts only a few hours.

With regular heroin use, tolerance develops. This means the abuser must use more heroin to achieve the same intensity or effect. As higher doses are used over time, physical dependence and addiction develop. With physical dependence, the body has adapted to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms may occur if use is reduced or stopped.

Heroin can cause feelings of depression, which may last for weeks. Attempts to stop using heroin can fail simply because the withdrawal can be overwhelming, causing the addict to use more heroin in an attempt to overcome these symptoms. This overpowering addiction can cause the the addict to do anything to get heroin.

Heroin, which gained increasing popularity in the 1990's, and is continuing to gain popularity, is a main component in the opiate family and accounted for 39% of drug induced deaths from overdose and 11% of drug abuse-related emergency room episodes in 1992. Heroin use is on the rise across the country. Current estimates suggest that nearly 600,000 people need treatment for heroin addiction. Not only that, but the typical heroin user consumes more of the drug than a typical user did just a decade ago, partly because of the higher purity available today at the street level. Heroin today is five times more pure than it was 10 years ago.

Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment.

Heroin users today can inject, snort, or smoke the drug. Snorting heroin is increasing in those areas of the country where high purity heroin is available - generally in the northeastern United States. This method of use may be more appealing for two reasons: (1) it eliminates the stigma historically attached to intravenous drug use, and (2) it eliminates the fear of acquiring HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. However, this method is no safer. Between 1988 and 1993, the number of emergency room visits due to snorting or sniffing heroin jumped by 470%.

Heroin is particularly addictive because it enters the brain so rapidly, providing an instant rush. It is a drug which produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence. The body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal can occur within a few hours after the last time the drug is taken.

What are the warning signs of heroin use?

These symptoms are not, in and of themselves, proof of drug use, since some of the symptoms can be attributable to other causes. However, they are indicators that someone may be using heroin, especially when multiple symptoms arise.

• Symptoms of use:
  • lethargy
  • drowsiness
  • euphoria
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • constricted pupils
  • slowed breathing
  • blue lips
  • rattling breathing (fluid in the lungs)
  • irregular heartbeat
  • restlessness
  • decreased appetite
  • going back and forth between feeling alert and drowsy
• Behavior signs:
  • loss of enthusiasm and involvement
  • withdrawal from hobbies and sports
  • reluctance to introduce new friends
  • staying away from home/school for unexplained periods of time
  • irritability and overreaction to criticism
  • loss of interest and deterioration in quality of school work
  • unusual requests for money
  • sudden changes in mood or behavior
  • devious and manipulative behavior
  • lack of pride in personal appearance
  • frequent unexplained phone calls
  • loss of concentration

What are the street terms used for heroin?