Heroin is one of the strongest, most addictive opiates and is derived from morphine. It is a naturally occurring drug that is extracted from poppy plants and is considered one of the oldest addictive substances dating back to early century China and other Asian countries. While certain opiates such as morphine and codeine are not illegal when taken as prescribed, heroin is one of the most dangerously addictive drugs so much so that its use is entirely illegal. On the streets, the most common form of heroin that can be bought is called "black tar heroin" and is a brownish color that is usually "cut" or mixed with other substances making it less pure. Heroin is usually smoked or injected intravenously and putting heroin users in a high-risk category for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
Side effects of heroin
Heroin users describe the high felt the first time they experience heroin as a feeling of euphoria, or an extremely pleasurable feeling. Because of this initial heightened sensation upon initial use, heroin is an easily abused and addicting drug. Effects of heroin include a warming of the skin or a raise in body temperature, lazy feeling arms and legs, dry mouth, and possibly vomiting, nausea and a desire to itch. On heroin, all body and brain functions are slowed to a near halt and because the purity of street heroin can never truly be determined, it is very common for users to overdose and/or die as a result of using too much at one time. People who begin to abuse heroin will find that they are unable to stop on their own and at the same time they have built up a tolerance that requires they use more and more of the substance. The withdrawal from heroin is so intense and lasts for an incredible 8-12 hours initially, that people would often rather continue to use than experience the feeling of detox from heroin. Heroin users are prone to diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, as well as lung infections skin and bacterial infections, and collapsed veins.
Treatment for heroin addiction
There is viable treatment for heroin addiction, although the process can be very difficult for those who have been addicted to heroin for any extended period of time. The most important part heroin treatment is the initial detoxification from the drug because of its powerful hold on an addict's body and mind. Heroin detox is sometimes done using another drug called Methadone, that while addictive itself can help the body and mind detox more effectively from heroin than any other drug on the market. Methadone is not illegal when used under the supervision of a medical professional with the purpose of detoxing from heroin. Once a person gets through the process of detox that can take up to a week or ten days, heroin treatment can begin. Treatment for heroin addiction is considered one of the hardest treatments because the patient has to be willing to get help, otherwise once the treatment is over the urge to use heroin is so strong, the individual will most likely give into the temptation. Heroin treatment that has been successful is often much longer than typical rehabilitation ranging from over a month to up to six months.
