Heroin Effects

There are both short term and long term heroin effects and heroin effects occur in all persons that use this drug. Heroin is a highly addictive drug first produced from the drug morphine in the 1870s. This drug quickly became known as the most addictive, most abused and fastest acting opiate available.

While most heavy heroin users inject the drug intravenously and intramuscularly, heroin can also be smoked and snorted. Recently more heroin users have been smoking and sniffing heroin because they fear the consequences of dirty needles. Heroin effects can be felt in seconds and can last up to 15 minutes.

The brain's millions of receptors quickly bind with the morphine as it enters the brain. Once the drug enters the body heroin effects included feeling a "high" or a euphoric pleasure, an increase in warmth of the skin, cottonmouth and a weighed down feeling in the body. After the immediate heroin effects which may also include nausea, dizziness and itching, the heroin user may feel sleepy and will have a decreased level of functioning both mentally and physically. Heroin effects also include a decrease in respiratory and cardiac functions.

Heroin effects in a long-term user are often characterized by a higher tolerance of the drug and a mental and physical dependence. A higher tolerance of heroin means the user must use more of the drug to experience the same feeling that he/she used to have on smaller amounts of the drug. The mental dependence can be defined as the user believing that he/she cannot function without the drug. The physical dependence means that the user's body has become so used to functioning with the specific chemicals contained in heroin that without the drug it cannot function.

Heroin effects also include an extremely painful and uncomfortable period of withdrawal, if the user ever is forced or tries to quit. Symptoms of withdrawal include vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, hot and cold flashes, inability to sleep, involuntary bodily movement and pain. These heroin effects may last from 48 hours up to a week, sometimes months.

Long-term heroin effects include disease, usually carried in the blood, such as HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis. Arthritis, heart and respiratory problems, clogged blood vessels in the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain, and side effects from the unknown chemicals, often poisons mixed in with heroin.

Not all heroin addicts die from heroin effects. Some people seek treatment and find that they are able to live a life drug-free that they never before imagined. Many types of treatment are available to relieve the negative heroin effects once the user has quit. Withdrawal symptoms can be lessened with a methadone detox and a long-term heroin user can be brought back to life.

Heroin addiction is deadly and affects the lives of the users and their families. There is another way of life. If you or someone that you care for cannot stop using drugs we can help. We offer referrals to treatment programs that cater to each individual and clients can learn how to live while relaxing by the beach and hanging out with other people who have found recovery. Substance abuse is no match for our compassionate specialists and positive support groups. Call today for a consultation and ask what we have to offer you. We understand the desperation and loneliness you are experiencing. 800.399.3612