Heroin is a dangerous opiate that has seen heavy use in the United States. In 2008, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 3.8 million residents of the United States claimed to have used heroin at least once in their lifetimes. Roughly one out of every 100 eighth graders claims to have used heroin as well.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is a dangerous opiate that is partially synthetic, being derived from morphine. Both morphine and heroin come from opium poppies. However, it is not unheard of for dangerous chemicals to be mixed into the drug.
Heroin comes in two forms. One form of heroin is powder. This powder is either white or brown. The other form of heroin is a black tar like substance that is known as “black tar heroin.” Users inject the drug intravenously, snort it through a nostril or smoke it. Regardless of how it gets into the body, it reaches the bloodstream then the brain, where it is converted into morphine. Sometimes, heroin is mixed with other controlled substances, such as cocaine or marijuana. When mixed with cocaine, it is known as “speedball.” Speedball is famous for being the drug concoction that killed Saturday Night Live star John Belushi.
Why do People Use Heroin?
Heroin is extremely addictive. An estimated 23 percent of people who try heroin develop an addiction to the drug. Heroin can make users feel a sense of euphoria as it cuts off pain receptors and affects the brain. It also puts users into a stupor in which they are sleepy and sluggish. Heavy use is invariably followed by a physical addiction that causes severe withdrawals.
Withdrawal from heroin is one of the main reasons that users continue taking the drug, apart from the addiction itself, which can last for years after use has stopped. Withdrawals from heroin can cause serious discomfort, delusions, shaking, vomiting and extreme physical pain. This makes it difficult to kick the habit.
What are the Potential Side Effects of Heroin Use?
Heroin use can cause a variety of side effects, which include: withdrawals, HIV, — through intravenous use — hepatitis, — through intravenous use — low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, addicted babies, liver disease, kidney disease, heart infections, collapsed veins and pneumonia.
What are the Symptoms of Heroin Overdose?
Overdoses occur when users take in too much heroin or they take “bad” heroin. The symptoms of overdose include breathing complications, loss of ability to breathe, very small pupils, weak pulse, tongue color changes, blue lips, blue nails, intestinal spasms, coma, muscle spasms and delirium. The most common cause of heroin overdose related death is respiratory failure.
How Can You Tell if Someone is Using Heroin?
Sometimes it is difficult to tell is someone is ill or if someone is abusing heroin. While the following signs may not be there or may be indicative of something else, they can help spot heroin use. Heroin users who inject the drug may have track marks — evidence of needle injections. These marks may appear in the inner elbow, on the feet and sometimes even areas like the neck. It all depends on where, and if, the user injects. Another thing to look out for is used needles in the user’s personal belongings. Do not touch hypodermic needles, ever. A simple prick on the finger can mean death. Look out for changes in behavior, particularly dazed and uncaring behavior, as well as overtiredness and “nodding off.” If all else fails, ask. It is better to ask then to find out too late that you were right.
What are the Treatment Options for Heroin Users?
It is essential that heroin users get professional help when they decide to quit. They can enter programs for addicts, talk to their primary care physician or even go to a hospital for help. Professionals can offer behavioral therapy, counseling, help with addiction and they can monitor withdrawal symptoms, which can be important if the drug has done significant organ damage. The first step is to seek help. From there, sticking to treatment is the most important thing.
Heroin abuse is a scary aspect of drug culture. Heroin users can get very sick, very fast and are less likely to seek medical treatment for illnesses because getting high is their priority. The only defense against this drug is never to use it. Using heroin just once is enough to destroy a life or even end it. That is not an over exaggeration. That is a sad fact.
Sources
National Institute on Drug Abuse, retrieved 6/13/11, nida.nih.gov/infofacts/heroin.html
Office of National Drug Control Policy, retrieved 6/13/11, whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/heroin/heroin_ff.html
Medline Plus, Heroin Overdose, retrieved 6/13/11, nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/0022861.htm
