What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a drug that is extracted from a flower named opium poppy. It is mostly grown in Mexico, South America, and Asia. It is highly addictive and in many states, it is considered illegal. This is because excess consumption can affect the individual’s health. Heroin looks like a brown/white powder or it is black tar. It is also known by the name of:

• Smack
• Junk
• Horse
• Brown Sugar

How Heroin Is Used?

Many people have the habit to smoke or snort heroin. Apart from that, they like to inject that in their veins (the most dangerous method to do). There are high chances that the person can get an overdose and the chances of infection will increase.

However, no matter which method you use heroin will reach the brain right away and you will be addicted to it. When a person uses it just one time, they get into the habit to use it more often. This is the reason, it makes the person addicted to it.

After heroin consumption, the person has a feeling of happiness. Once its effect has started to go down the person will feel their world will slow down. The person might feel they walk too slowly and everything might feel like a dream. Its consumption will result in different issues like:

• Pain messages are not felt by the body
• Reduces the heart rate
• Reduces breathing

If there is a problem with breathing or it stops, there are high chances that it can lead to death. Many people prefer to use heroin because of anxiety, stressful situations, and worries.

Why do people consume heroin?

Stats have shown that heroin consumption has increased all over the world. Many people consume prescription painkillers and they have heroin added to them chemically. Once people start using them in excess or misuse them, they want to get the ones that make them higher and its effect should last for a long time.

What are the harmful effects of heroin?

Some of the short-term effects of heroin include:

• Euphoria
• A dry mouth
• Warm, flushed skin
• Itching
• A fuzzy brain
• Arms and legs that feel heavy
• Upset stomach and vomiting
• Switching in and out of drowsiness (this is often called being “on the nod”)

Some of the Long-term heroin use can lead to:

• Collapsed veins
• Insomnia
• Heart lining and valves infection
• Liver and kidney disease
• Mental disorders
• Skin infections like abscesses and cellulitis
• Lung diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis
• Menstrual problems and miscarriage
• A higher chance of getting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C

Heroin Addiction and Withdrawal

Heroin is very addictive and people who like to consume it will have problems. It is likely to impact their work at school, office, or home and even lead to health issues. Your body will crave to have more heroin every time. If you begin to quit it, then you are likely to notice the withdrawal symptoms which includes:

• Jitters
• Chills
• Trouble sleeping
• Cold flashes
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Bone and muscle pain
• Leg movements that you can’t control

What is heroin? What are its harmful effects and its addiction treatment?

Your medical team is going to help you make the best treatment plan for you. In most cases, it includes behavioral therapy and medications.

Medications are the best method the body will have to reduce the craving for heroin. They are going to block the way the brain responds to the heroin and you won’t enjoy the consumption of heroin.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the effective approach to pay attention to the things which you do and think about when your body wants to consume drugs.

Get treatment for heroin overdose

If you see someone around you who is overdosing the amount of heroin, then make sure they get the treatment right away. The doctor will make sure the problem is treated right away. If you think someone around you is high on drugs and their behavior is also getting changed due to this habit. Then they need to consult the doctor. Make sure that you act right away on their behalf and take them to the doctor. The sooner the patient gets the treatment, they will feel better and live a healthy life.