Heroin is an addictive drug that is processed
from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown
powder. It is a member of the opiates family which are
also known as narcotics. They are used medically as
analgesics for patients in a great deal of pain. One of
the side effects of using heroin (and opiates in general)
is that they are physically addictive and a person may
become dependent on them. Admission to a detox clinic and
subsequent drug rehab may be required to help an addicted
person stop using successfully.

The short-term effect of using heroin is a surge of euphoria
followed by a time of slipping in and out of a drowsy state.
Heroin users are at high risk of accidental overdose and those
who inject the drug with shared needles place themselves at
risk of contracting bloodborne diseases such as HIV and
hepatitis. Patients can request to have blood screening when
they are admitted to a drug rehabilitation center to check if
they have contracted these diseases.

Pregnant mothers who abuse heroin are at risk of adversely
affecting their unborn baby. Heroin abusers lead a lifestyle
marked by an obsession to obtain and use the drug. They are
also therefore less likely to spend time, energy, or money on
prenatal care which places an additional risk on the baby.

Tolerance is a condition where the abuser must use more of the
chemical in order to achieve the same intensity of effect.
Heroin users develop tolerance and start using ever higher
doses. The body becomes accustomed to the presence of heroin
and so a physical dependence and addiction develop. Once this
happens the user will experience negative symptoms if he/she
stops using heroin. Admission to a detoxification (detox)
center can help to make the withdrawal more manageable for the
addict.

Withdrawal symptoms include intense craving, insomnia, aches
and pains, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, cold
flashes with goose bumps ("cold turkey"), and other physical
symptoms. They are normally at their worst in day 2 and 3 after
stopping using and subside by the end of a week. Heroin
withdrawal is rarely fatal for healthy individuals, but medical
oversight is still a good idea. Detox is just the first step in
addiction recovery and admission to a drug treatment clinic is highly
recommended so that a behavioural therapeutic intervention can
be applied.

There are medications that reduce the effect of heroin and have
been shown to be effective in reducing relapse rate for
addicts. Some doctors prescribe these medications to clients
who have completed treatment in a drug rehab clinic.

Additional Resources

Buprenorphine Plus Behavioral Therapy Is Effective ForAdolescents With Opioid Addiction

Opening the Door to Mainstream Medical Treatment of Drug Addiction