Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that can be injected, smoked, or snorted. It is a derivative of morphine, which is a product of the opium poppy. The use of heroin interferes with the pleasure receptors in the brain, blocking the ability to perceive pain. The most effective delivery is by injection into a vein. This delivers a "rush," and the user feels a sudden joyous euphoria. The skin becomes warm and limbs feel heavy. Shortly after the initial rush, the user goes into alternating states of drowsing and wakefulness, commonly called "going on the nod." Thoughts are cloudy and focus is difficult as the drug depresses the central nervous system. Speech becomes slurred, it is difficult to walk at a normal pace, vision is impaired, eyelids are droopy, and pupils are constricted. In some cases, it causes vomiting and constipation.

After repeated use over a long period of time, chronic users may experience a wide range of side effects including liver disease, infection of the heart, abscesses, and cellulitis, and infection of the skin characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. The immune system is compromised, leaving the drug abuser vulnerable to pulmonary complications including pneumonia. Heroin is never pure, and the additives used to cut it may clog blood vessels, leading to damage of the lungs, kidneys, liver, or brain.

Increased tolerance to heroin leads to the need for ever-increasing amounts. Once addicted, the user will experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms as early as a few hours after the last injection. Withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, restless or jittery behavior, pain in muscle tissue and bones, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden cold flashes, and involuntary kicking motions. The most severe withdrawal symptoms peak 48 to 72 hours after the last injection, and fade after about a week. Sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent drug abusers in poor health can result in death.

Heroin is typically sold as a brown or white powder or as a black, sticky substance commonly called "black tar" heroin. It can be cut with other drugs or with substances like sugar, starch, or powdered milk. It may be cut with harmful substances like strychnine, other poisons, or talc. Since there is no way to know the real strength or true contents of the substance, heroin users are at constant risk of overdose and death. IV users risk transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases that are commonly spread by shared needles.

Several substances can cause a false positive during a drug test for heroin, including poppy seeds, which can often be found in muffins or buns, Tylenol with codeine, many prescription pain medications, and any cough suppressant that contains Dextromethorphan, including Nyquil. Medications for kidney infection or disease, liver disease, diabetes, and antibiotics for infection can also corrupt test results. Heroin breaks down quickly in the body and can be detected by urine testing for up to four days after the last use, but it is unknown how long it can be detected using other testing methods.

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