Drug Information: Heroin

Heroin, a narcotic which gained increasing popularity in the 1990's, and is continuing to gain popularity with both men and women. Heroin 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.

The opiate group of drugs are naturally occurring (opium poppy extracts) and synthetic drugs that are commonly used for their analgesic (pain relief) and cough-suppressing properties. Morphine was isolated from opium in the early 1800's and was widely available without prescription until the early 1900's when the non-medical use of opiates was banned.

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.

Signs in men and women using heroin include a constricted, non-reactive pupil; muscle relaxation (e.g., droopy eyelids, slurred speech, a slow gait); a decrease in pulse, reflexes, blood pressure, and respiration rate; and fresh needle marks. Heroin use drives out the neurotransmitter endorphin; when this happens and heroin isn't used, withdrawal symptoms set in, those include insomnia, muscle ache, nausea, chills, sweating, gooseflesh, vomiting and diarrhea. Addiction periods ("runs") usually last four to six months, often ceasing because the addict is arrested or enters a drug treatment program. Periods of abstinence usually last no longer than a few weeks or months, and relapse is usually precipitated by physical or mental stress. Once addicted to intravenous use of heroin, a staggering 70 to 80 percent of users continue intermittent use for many years or a lifetime.

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