Effects Of Heroin

Heroin, a powerful narcotic, acts upon the brain as a painkiller, increasing physical addiction and ongoing emotional dependence (Schaffer Library of…). Heroin has many challenging and highly risky effects on the user, all the more hazardous if overdosing is present. This extremely dangerous drug, heroin, will never cease being used, but may cease the existence of an individual.

“Heroin has analgesic and euphoric properties” (Abadinsky, 2014, p. 45). When the drug is taken and enters the body, heroin relieves pain, works as a sedative, decreases one’s anxiety, relaxes muscles, slows motor activity, drowsiness, and a feel of well being (Abadinsky, 2014). When taken, heroin will typically start to work within ten seconds, depending the method used to ingest the drug (Abadinsky, 2014). Most users will take a needle full of heroin after he or she cooked the powder into a liquid, and injected through the skin into a vein (Abadinsky, 2014). Heroin can also be smoked by inhaling the fumes like when marijuana is smoked (Abadinsky, 2014). There are four different stages that can occur when a person uses heroin, including the rush, the high, the nod, and being straight (Abadinsky, 2014). The rush is when the user experiences multiple types of euphoric feelings, instinctive sensations, a flushed face, and deeper vocals (Abadinsky, 2014). “Heroin activates brain systems that are responsible for reinforcing peoperties of such natural rewards as food and sex” (Abadinsky, 2014, p. 45). The high is a feeling of well-being that can last for hours, but the high can be less effective depending on the user’s tolerance to the drug (Abadinsky, 2014). Therefore, if a user has a high tolerance to the high, he or she must increase dose size in order to experience the effects of the high (Abadinsky,

Heroin has been around since the 1960s’. It was first used as a cure for tuberculosis and soon became a bigger problem. Many people have died from the use of Heroin because of the fact that they do not know how much heroin can affect hem. Sure it will make the feel good the first time they take, but once your body becomes dependent it can be a very time consuming and painful experience. Crime rates have and are slightly increasing because of the use of Heroin. Heroin should not be used due to the fact that it affects your mental and physical health, and it has the ability to lead to many horrible symptoms due to it.

Heroin is one of many opioid drugs used for its euphoric effects. When doctors or other medical professions use it, it is mostly used as a pain medication. It is usually given to people who would be taking it for a long period of time and is commonly used with counseling. While in most cases it is injected into the vein, usually in the arm, it can also be inhaled or smoked too. While first taking this drug, you will quickly feel it’s effects and they can usually last a few hours, depending on the amount.

In a short term perspective the user talks about a “rush” of pleasure. Depending on the the intensity of the rush show how fast the drug enters the brain and binds to the MORs. With heroin, the rush can be associated with flush and warm skin, heavy sensation of extremities, reduced feeling of pain, and drowsiness. Sometimes these effects can also come with vomiting, itching and dry mouth. After several hours of the initial effects the user body slows. This includes the heart, mind and breathing, which can be life threatening. (What Effects) If slowed enough the user could fall into a coma causing severe brain damage.

Heroin is an illegal substance derived from morphine. At one time it was legal, and was created originally as a safer alternative to morphine. The opposite was found to be true, and heroin is now illegal. Heroin is highly addictive and has strong euphoric effects. There are many short and long term effects when used or abused. Short term effects of heroin use include slowed cardiac system functions and breathing, intense itching, dry mouth, drowsiness and convulsions- especially in a case of an overdose. Long term effects include both mental and physical impairments, the mental issues include emotional instability and diminished libido. Other physical effects include impaired vision, collapsed veins, liver and kidney disease. Heroin users also often share needles with each other which lead to increased chances of infections like Hepatitis B and HIV.

The symptoms of heroin withdrawal can be painful and unpleasant, but it is usually not life-threatening. There are still some complications to be aware of. Since heroin withdrawal can cause nausea and vomiting, there is a risk of aspiration. This occurs when a person accidentally inhales their vomit, and it can cause lung infections. Additionally, vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Proper nutrition and hydration can help provide these issues though.

There are three types of heroin – white heroin, brown heroin, and black tar heroin – you can smoke it, snort it, or inject it into your bloodstream. Regardless of how someone chooses to use heroin, it can have short term and/or long term effects on someone such as a rush, poor social skills, effects due to withdrawal, and death.

Heroin addiction is a chronically relapsing disease, usually characterized by tendencies such as drug seeking, drug abuse, tolerance and physical dependence. Substance abuse disorders have increased the levels of morbidity and mortality and with a consequent significant increase in HIV spread across the globe. Heroin increases psychiatric disorders, especially with mood anxiety, impulse control, and imbalance –related disorders.

One of the most devastating side effects of drug addiction and abuse is depression. Depression is the result of chemical imbalance, environmental influence, or a combination of both. Using heavy and very highly addictive drugs as heroin, cocaine, opium and many other will cause sudden mood changes, deterioration of the immune system, nervous breakdowns, unusual flares of temper and many other side effects. Besides physical side effects, drug addiction can create problems in a person's social circles. The person may run into many conflicts with his family and friends, resulting in desire for isolation. This in turn will create more problems since the person will have no social support. Furthermore, drug addiction is a financial strain especially for teenagers. When a person is addicted to drugs he will do anything to obtain money to fulfill his needs.

The symptoms are different for each user; the drug affects your motivation and emotions. It changes over time. Periodically it affects how you eat sleep and deal with emotions. Over time it can cause you to lose weight and eventually die. Opium is very unique. Opium was used back in the 1800’s for anesthesia and some people use it in their food. It was so popular that two of the largest countries in the world, Great Britain and China; had a war over their different viewpoint on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administrations of justice for foreign nationals. The war lasted 3 years and 5

The short-term effects are felt after a single dosage is entered into the body. Users will usually feel the peak 7-8 seconds. Intramuscular injections takes about 5-8 minutes. When snorted or sniffed, it will take 10-15 minutes.Either way the drug is used, it give off a rush feeling accompanied by a warm flush feeling in the skin. The users are described to have a “on the nod” meaning they are alternating between awake to a drowsy feeling. Some other effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and itching. Long-term effects for abusers include collapsed veins, abscesses, liver diseases, clogging in blood vessels to the brain, liver, lungs, kidney and even death. People who do heroin are more likely to get HIV, Hepatitis B or C and other blood

It is reported that after an intravenous injection of heroin, the user will describe feeling a surge of euphoria (the rush) accompanied by dry mouth, a warm flushing of the skin, weighted down hands and feet, and distorted mental and cognitive functioning. This can also be followed up with drowsy state. The same affects happen with users who introduce to their bodies in other ways (NIDA 2015).

Heroin is a very addictive drug, and when taken creates pleasurable feelings and leaves its mark as a positive reinforcer when interacting with the reward system in the brain. The heroin then produces morphine that binds with the reward pathway, and then a larger amount of dopamine is released in the brain. The most important reward system in the body involves the production of dopamine. Dopamine is an organic chemical in the brain that calms the body and makes the body feel good. This is how addiction beings because individuals take these drugs that improve their dopamine levels. These increased dopamine levels relax the body and make the body feel good. This feeling becomes addicting and the use craves to have that feeling again and

Opium has many short and long term effects. Some short term effects include dizziness, fainting, a feeling of relief, and a slowness of breath. More serious and long term effects that can come from an overdose include cramped muscles, seizures, insomnia, and even death.