Short And Long Term 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,

The long term effects of using heroin can become serious and can cause permanent damage. Some things that can also happen is that it is possible for the user to obtain a liver or a kidney disease. It is also a high possibility for the veins in the users body to collapse. Other things that can happen is the tissue of the body can get swollen and the tissue will become filled with pus. Using heroin long term can also lead to muscle and bone pain. It can also cause the persons immune system to become weakened, and it also leads to uncontrollable drug use. In worse case scenario, it can lead to death. The death can be caused by an overdose, a liver or kidney disease, or even if the heroin user catches HIV.

Heroin is an addictive, illegal opioid painkiller derived from morphine. This analgesic drug produces stress-relieving effects along with a sense of euphoria. Addiction to heroin generally begins as an addiction to another substance: marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, or prescription painkillers. Overdose on heroin can cause many complications including coma and death. This risk is commonly increased by combining heroin with alcohol or by cutting it in with other drugs. Injection of heroin also puts one at a significantly increased risk of contracting HIV, Hepatisis, other disease carried in the bloodstream (CDC, 2015). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), 8,200 people died from heroin-related overdose deaths in the United States in 2013. This number has been climbing steadily over the past decade and continues to climb today within certain demographics and age groups.

Most users prefer to ingest heroin  through  injection. Which takes the mind altering substance straight into the bloodstream, resulting in what most users describe as a "rush".  In addition to injection through the bloodstream, heroin can also be taken in through different methods. These include to snort or to smoke.  Furthermore, the short term effects of heroin last a couple hours then disappear. Theses include; a rush, dry mouth, respiratory depression, nausea and warm flushed skin. Long term effects include; Bad teeth, Inflammation of the gum, Constipation, Cold sweats, Itching Depression, Pustules on the face, Loss of appetite, and Insomnia. In addition to the long term effects of this mind altering drug, heroin  can also clog blood vessels that lead to major organs causing organ failure.  Not only are users exposed to the effects of the drug, but they are also susceptible to diseases from unsanitary habits. Addicts who inject drugs like heroin are at risk of contracting HIV or HCV through blood contact. Which occurs through the use of sharing needles and other equipment.   Furthermore, once heroin reaches the brain, it turns into morphine. It connects to the opioid receptors. Which in turn is in charge of the major components of the brain. Nonetheless, like any other drug users can overdose on heroin. Once this occurs the supply of oxygen reaching the brain ceases causing hypoxia.

The overall effect on one’s health is seen in bouts of illness and lack of normal immune response. Addicts may show signs of lightheadedness or dizziness, and lapses of mental acuity. Severe threats to health include the potential for respiratory distress and other central nervous system responses, as well as an increased danger for overdose and death.

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.

Heroin, a chemical imposter, is an illegal, extremely addictive drug derived from opium. Heroin can reach the brain by methods of injection, nasal inhalation, or smoked. In our brain there are many receptor sites, each site specific for different neurotransmitters. In this paper I will refer to the opiate receptor. Naturally, our brain is responsible for making endorphins, a natural opiate of the body. These endorphins are the “feel good” chemical sensations in the brain, when we are exposed to pain or stress. Heroin mimics the opium chemical, creating the effect of pleasure and euphoric feelings. I will look into how heroin affects the cerebral cortex and how different genders perceive and treat the effects of heroin. The opiates in

(2016, October 12)). Some people can become addicted after their first time using the drug. Once the person uses they may experience a rush, some may feel tired, can feel foggy (this is from the drug slowing the Central Nervous System down (C. (2016, October 12)), may vomit, their breathing can also become dangerously slow (Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2005). When the drug starts to wear off the person will want to take more of it some withdrawal symptoms are described as “painful flu-like symptoms” (C. (2016, October 12)). Using the drug for a long time can also cause the user to have health issues as well such as collapsed veins, infection, and abscesses ((C. (2016, October 12)). With some of the additives that are put in the drug it can cause clotting in the blood but some may also cause an overdose (C. (2016, October 12)). While heroin is an extremely addictive drug there is also different strains of heroin black tar this type of heroin is cheaper than regular heroin but is stronger and more addictive (C. (2016, October 12)), cheese heroin is a mix of black tar heroin and Tylenol PM, this too is very addictive and can cause the users breathing to stop (Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (2005), China White is another strain of heroin that is mixed with Fentanyl (White Heroin. (16, February 8)). Depending on how heroin is used depends on how quickly the user can feel its effects it can range from 7-8 seconds to 10-15 minutes depending on the way it is administered ((C. (2016, October

Opium addiction has many symptoms that range from mood affecting to physically deteriorating, including mood swings, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, respiratory depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, vomiting and seizures, just to name some of the few. The psychological effects are even worse, with addiction, and hallucinations beginning to show themselves to the opium addict, usually causing a relapse and or an overdose. (http://opium.com/effects/psychological-opium-drug-effects/)

Repeated use of heroin can cause changes in the physiology of the user's body. That is why people who are addicted to heroin may experience a variety of symptoms. Some of the signs of heroin addiction include skin infections, constipation, nausea, vomiting and itching.

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

Heroin will affect you very heavily short and long term. When you first take heroin you will immediately give you a surge of sensation, dry mouth, warm skin, drowsiness and possible vomiting. Some long term effects: cold sweats, constipation, bad teeth, inflammation of the gums, itching, depression and even death. You can become addicted even if

The most dangerous is addiction. According the National Institute on drug abuse; addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors. Once someone is addicted to heion their main purpose is seek the drug. Physical dependence develops with the higher doses of heroin. With physical dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the drug and withdrawal systems occur is use is reduced. Withdrawal systems usually happen within a few hours after the last dose of the drug is taken. Withdrawal systems are; restlessness, muscle/ bone aches, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, act. Major withdrawal systems peak within 24- 48 hours and subside in about a week. Though, some people have shown system for many months. The medical consequences if long term Heroin use include scared/ collapsed veins, decreased dental health, bacterial infections, infection of the heart valves, liver or kidney disease, a diminished immune system, breathing complications and the brain can also be adversely affected. Sharing

Addiction is said to result in long-term alterations in the biochemical and functional properties of the brain. “The physiological effects of heroin injection occur within 30 to 60 seconds after the drug enters the bloodstream. Following an initial warm rush, the user may experience an instant euphoria accompanied by sleepiness. The pupils of the eyes become constricted, the rate and depth of respiration are decreased, the tone of the anal sphincter is increased, urination becomes difficult, nausea and vomiting may also occur.” If the user frequently uses the same injection site it may result in skin shedding or dying. Lastly heroin tolerance builds quickly, at the height of an addicts use, the dose would be fatal to a new user, and if recovering addicts took the same dose it would most likely result in