Dangers of Heroin Use

Dangers of heroin use are, as with any drug that is injected intravenously, there is an increased chance of infection or infectious disease, and that chance increases even more if a dirty needle is used or shared. Many heroin users like to use needles because they are able to get more of the drug into the bloodstream at one time, producing a greater rush. However, heroin is often "cut" with other products or additives such as; starch, sugar, aspirin, ajax, quinine, caffeine, or talcum powder.
Using a dirty needle or sharing needles is very dangerous, there is a great risk of the following diseases:

• Hepatitis B or C
• Endocarditis
• Syphilis
• Flesh-eating bacteria
• Gangrene
• HIV /AIDS

Heroin statistics show that more than half all needle-using heroin addicts carry hepatitis C. Approximately 72% who have been injecting for less than one year tested positive. Once infected statistics show up to 40% will develop liver disease and up to 16% will develop liver cancer. The spreading of HIV through IV drug use is huge. Within the U.S. more than half of all users carry the HIV virus. Internationally the figures are much worse. It is estimated that 74% to 91% of heroin addicts are HIV positive.
Over time excess needle use will cause blood vessels to collapse, which usually forces the user to start injecting in other parts of their body such as: the wrist, between the toes, the neck, and even the gentiles.
Heroin IV users often experience a condition known as "Cotton fever," caused by endotoxins. It is a short-term bacterial infection that causes fever, chills, tremors, aches and pains. Many will also get septic abscesses and ulcerations. "Tracks" which are scars may also appear at the injection site. One of the worst infections is necrotizing fascitis which is an infection that destroys tissue but is not always visible on the surface skin, it is known as the "flesh-eating disease."

There are many great drug rehab facilities that specialize in heroin addiction. If you or a loved one are suffering with drug addiction get help now.

Heroin Tolerance and Withdrawal

Tolerance is the ability of the body to neutralize the effects of heroin, thereby requiring the user to use more and more each time to achieve the same results. The body may do this by speeding up metabolism, desensitizing the nerve cells, sweating to rid itself of the drug, or the brain may chemically alter to compensate for the effects of the drug. There is almost no limit to the increased heroin tolerance, a user may need as much as ten times the drug in as little as ten days.

The body can also develop a tolerance to the side effects allowing one to feel less pain, less respiratory distress, no vomiting, and less euphoria. However, the body does will not build up a tolerance to the pupil constriction or constipation. Long term use can permanently alter the brains ability to produce dopamine and therefore certain sensations and will often lead people back to the drug.
Withdrawal from heroin has two main phases, acute withdrawal and protracted withdrawal.
Acute withdrawal occurs after chronic use and the person suddenly stops using. The body tries to return to normal too quickly. Within 8-12 hours acute withdrawal may occur and reach a peak of intensity within 48 hours then gradually subside over 5-7 days.
Symptoms of acute withdrawal include:

• Muscle Cramps
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Leg spasms
• Insomnia
• Vomiting
• Sweats
• Delirium

Protracted withdrawal or extended withdrawal symptoms may last for months, starting from week 4 up to week 10. Initial symptoms include a mild increase in blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, and pupil size.
The next phase can last 30 weeks or more includes a decrease in blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, and a general uneasiness.
Because of this discomfort and how long these withdrawal symptoms can last the chances of relapse are very high amongst chronic opiate (heroin) users. Many may experience certain environments, smells, or sights that will trigger cravings which can last for decades or never stop.

Although acute heroin withdrawal feels like an incredibly bad case of the flu, it is almost never life threatening. But because these symptoms can be very painful, frightening, and create anxiety they may trigger cravings for continued use of the drug more so than the desire to have the rush.

There are many drug rehab centers across the country that specialize in heroin addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with this addiction get help now.

Effects of Heroin

This post on the effects of heroin is meant to educate and help those who may have a loved one who is experimenting or addicted to heroin. Quite often people who haven't used drugs or who have not had any exposure or education find it difficult to understand how someone would consider even trying such a thing. Hopefully by learning how heroin works you may get a better picture of how you can help your loved one.
When a heroin user injects or inhales heroin, the drug effects the brain very quickly. The brain converts heroin to morphine which allows the opioid to connect to the brain’s pleasure receptors. Once this happens the heroin user feels a sudden surge of pleasure, often referred to as a “rush”. The “rush” is usually accompanied with a warm sensation of the skin, dry mouth, a feeling of heaviness, nausea, vomiting, and severe itching.
Heroin effects the brains natural ability to control the cells which allow you to feel pleasure. Over time, as the brain is continually on pleasure overload from the heroin the body's natural pain-pleasure system will cease to function without the use of heroin.

Heroin affects almost every part of the body, signs of heroin use:

• The heart - (lowering blood pressure and pulse rate)
• The lungs - (breathing can be slowed even to the point of death)
• The eyes - (become droopy, pupils very small and do not react to light)
• Vocal chords - (voice becomes raspy, slow, and slurred)
• Muscles - (coordination is slowed, and head nods forward)
• Skin - (dries out and itches)
• Cough - (suppressing the cough center in the brain)
• Reproductive system (damaged)
• The hormonal system (woman’s period delayed and men produce less testosterone)
• Sex drive (decreases sexual desire even to a point of indifference)
• Digestive (nausea, addicts determine a good batch of heroin if it makes them vomit)
• Immune system (breaks down)
• Intestines (causes severe constipation with chronic use)
• Pain receptors (insensitivity to warning pain signals, which keep a user from treating pain)

Most heroin abusers will feel drowsy and have clouded mental function for several hours after use. It is common for heroin users to experience a clinical overdose. Most are not intentional, but happen because when purchasing on the street they are not able to know the purity of the drug. Some signs of an overdose include:

• Weak heart beat
• Breathing is labored and lungs fill with fluid
• Drop in blood pressure
• Pale or a blue skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Fresh needle marks
• Gasping or rattling when breathing
• Slow heartbeat
• Convulsions

An overdose happens quickly and can lead to a coma, and even death if not revived quickly. Heroin statistics show, an estimated 3 to 4 thousand people die from heroin overdoses each year. There are many drug rehab centers that specialize in heroin addiction. If you or a loved one is suffering from heroin addiction get help now.

History of Heroin

The history of heroin started in 1805 opium was isolated from morphine which was 10 times stronger. Then in 1874, heroin was refined from morphine. It wasn't until 1898 when Bayer and Company promoted heroin for medical purposes such as coughs, chest pain, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
Unfortunately, heroin affects come on rapidly and dramatically. The rush and euphoria are fast and intense. This caused a about a million people to become addicted just after the turn of the century. Drug abuse became very popular.
In 1853 the hypodermic needle was invented. Originally opiate’s were injected just under the skin. However, users discovered intravenous use placed high concentrations directly into the bloodstream through the veins. When injected in the veins heroin effects the central nervous system within about 13-30 seconds, as opposed to under the skin or in the muscle within 5-8 minutes.
Immigrants from Europe introduced snorting heroin known as “sniffing”. This method of snorting the drug into the nasal capillaries affects the central nervous system in about 5-8 minutes. Until about the 1920's heroin addicts were split evenly between “sniffers and shooters”.
There are currently an estimated 120,000 to 800,000 heroin abusers and approximately 3.1 million Americans have tried heroin. In the United States most heroin comes from Mexico and Colombia. Heroin statistics show the U.S. consumes only 3% of the world’s supply.
The major producers of heroin are:
The Golden Crescent - Southwest Asian heroin from Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan is known as “Persian brown” or “Perze” and can be more than 90% pure
The Golden Triangle - the second largest producer and exporter of heroin produces what is known as China White and can be up to 99% pure.
Mexico - Since the 1940’s Mexico has been a major supplier of heroin in the U.S. producing light or dark brown heroin. In the 1980’s a new form of Mexican heroin known as “Tar” or “Black Tar” took over a large part of the market.
Tar Heroin is potent, 40 to 80% pure, containing more impurities than the Asian refinement of the drug and costs around $20 to $25 for a small chunk.
Tar Heroin is sold as a gummy pasty substance rather than in the usual powder form. It dissolves readily in water and is more likely to be smoked. It is also called: Chapapote, Puta, Goma, Chiva, or Puro.
Some street names for Heroin include: H, Smack, Junk, Horse, Fix, Dope, Brown, Dog, Nod, China White, Black Tar, AIP, Al Capone, Antifreeze, Big doodig, China cat, Hard candy,Witch hazel, or Tootsie roll.
Many drug rehabs specialize in treatment for heroin addiction.