Heroin is a highly addictive semi-synthetic drug. It is processed from morphine, which is extracted from the opium poppy. It is sold in the form of a white or brownish powder, and a sticky black substance (‘black tar heroin’). White powder heroin, which may vary from white to dark brown depending on the amount of impurities left over from production, is primarily available in the eastern United States. Black tar heroin, which is produced in Mexico, is primarily available in the western United States. According to a 2005 National Institute on Drug Abuse report, heroin is the most widely abused opiate. It is classified as a Schedule I narcotic. This means it has been determined by government agencies that heroin
- has a high potential for abuse,
- has no currently accepted medical use in the United States and,
- is unsafe for use, even under medical supervision.
Possible effects and drug side effects include the following:
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Respiratory depression
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Slurred speech
- Itching
- Constricted pupils
- Droopy eyelids
Heroin is the most rapidly acting opiate. Upon administration of heroin, users report feelings of euphoria and well-being that diminish over a period of three to six hours. It is the ‘rush’ and the feelings of euphoria that begin the cycle of heroin addiction. Addicts use increasing amounts of heroin in an attempt to recreate the high, but tolerance and physical dependency rapidly develop. Soon the user needs heroin not to get high, but instead to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. This cycle of addiction is evident in the abuse of other narcotics also. Users often seek treatment when their tolerance for the drug becomes high enough that they can no longer support their habit.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Panic
- Cravings
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Goose flesh
- Weakness
- Insomnia
- Bone pain
- Sweating
- Yawning
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Loss of appetite
- Chills and other flu-like symptoms
Heroin can be snorted, smoked and injected. Injection of heroin is very dangerous, as it is more likely to lead to overdose. Very small differences in the amount of heroin that is taken, changes in the purity of heroin, dangerous adulterants in heroin, and the combination of heroin with other drugs are all factors that can lead to overdose. Users who share hypodermic needles are at risk of infection with HIV and hepatitis C. This risk, along with a rise in heroin purity levels, has led to an increase in popularity of the smoking and snorting of heroin.
[page updated February 2009]