HEROIN
Heroin/Opiate
Addiction Treatment Program (Other Forms: Opium, Codeine,
Morphine, OxyContin, Vicodin, Loratab, Diludid, Percodan, Methadone,
Darvon, Demerol, Talwin, Laam and others.)
Heroin, a narcotic which gained increasing popularity
in the 1990's, and is continuing to gain popularity with both
men and women. Heroin is a main component in the opiate family
and accounted for 39% of drug induced deaths from overdose and
11% of drug abuse-related emergency room episodes in 1992.
The opiate group of drugs are naturally occurring
(opium poppy extracts) and synthetic drugs that are commonly used
for their analgesic (pain relief) and cough-suppressing properties.
Morphine was isolated from opium in the early 1800's and was widely
available without prescription until the early 1900's when the
non-medical use of opiates was banned.
Heroin is a white to brown powder or gummy substance
derived from the opium poppy, is injected directly into a vein,
sniffed, or smoked. Typically, heroin is used every four to six
hours in doses of 4 to 8 milligrams each. The intense euphoria
of heroin lasts only a few hours.
Signs in men and women using heroin include a
constricted, non-reactive pupil; muscle relaxation (e.g., droopy
eyelids, slurred speech, a slow gait); a decrease in pulse, reflexes,
blood pressure, and respiration rate; and fresh needle marks.
Heroin use drives out the neurotransmitter endorphin; when this
happens and heroin isn't used, withdrawal symptoms set in, those
include insomnia, muscle ache, nausea, chills, sweating, gooseflesh,
vomiting and diarrhea. Addiction periods ("runs") usually
last four to six months, often ceasing because the addict is arrested
or enters a drug treatment program. Periods of abstinence usually
last no longer than a few weeks or months, and relapse is usually
precipitated by physical or mental stress. Once addicted to intravenous
use of heroin, a staggering 70 to 80 percent of users continue
intermittent use for many years or a lifetime.
If
you need help, or just have a question, please contact us today
800-338-0710.
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