heroin addiction
Highly Addictive Opioid drug synthesized from morphine
- Heroin Addiction
- Symptoms & Effects
- Withdrawal Timeline
- Treatment & Detox
- News & Updates
- Heroin Addiction
- Symptoms & Effects
- Withdrawal Timeline
- Treatment & Detox
- News & Updates
Heroin a potent opioid drug synthesized from morphine, is highly addictive and classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use. It activates opioid receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine and causing a euphoric feeling that encourages continued use and addiction. It is often mixed with other substances, making it difficult to identify and increasing its danger.
In This Page
Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
At Still Detox Luxury Rehab in Boca Raton, Florida, we believe that inpatient treatment is critical for successful heroin detox and addiction recovery. Our facility provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to undergo the withdrawal process, with a focus on comprehensive and personalized care
What is Heroin?
Heroin is made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. Morphine is chemically processed to produce heroin, resulting in an illegal and highly addictive opioid drug. The chemical process transforms the morphine into diacetylmorphine, commonly known as heroin. Diamorphine is used both as a recreational drug and, in some medical contexts, for pain management. Here are some key aspects of diamorphine:
Medical Use Of Diamorphine
Pain Management
In the medical field, diamorphine is used for severe pain relief, such as in terminal cancer patients or during childbirth. Its usage in a medical context is more common in countries like the United Kingdom.
Controlled Substance
Due to its high potential for abuse and addiction, diamorphine is classified as a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, where its use is highly restricted and monitored.
What does heroin look like?
History Of Heroin
Heroin’s origins trace back to the 19th century, with its synthesis aimed at finding a safer alternative to morphine. However, the early 20th century saw heroin being marketed as a non-addictive substitute, which quickly led to widespread abuse. Legal actions, such as the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 in the United States, were introduced to control its spread.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
in Boca Raton, Florida
At Still Detox Luxury Rehab in Boca Raton, Florida, Our expert team of therapists and practitioners are available 24/7 through our helpline to provide support and guidance to those in need. Don’t wait to seek help – call Still Detox today to start your journey toward sobriety.
Is Heroin Addictive?
Heroin is highly addictive due to its powerful effects on the brain’s reward system. When heroin is consumed, it is converted back into morphine and quickly enters the brain, where it binds to opioid receptors. These receptors are not only responsible for pain perception but also for rewarding sensations and the regulation of important physiological processes like respiration and arousal. The binding of heroin to these receptors triggers a release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and euphoria. This surge in dopamine creates a profound sense of well-being, which is often described as a “high.” The intensity of this experience can strongly reinforce the behavior of heroin use, making the individual want to repeat it.
How Long Does Heroin Stay In The System?
Heroin has a relatively short half-life, which means it can leave the body quickly, but its detection windows vary depending on the type of drug test used.
It’s important to note that these timeframes can be influenced by various factors, including the individual’s metabolism, the amount and purity of the drug used, and overall health. Heroin metabolizes into morphine, which can also be detected during these tests, often extending the detection window.
Why Do People Get Addicted to Heroin?
When someone uses heroin, it creates a strong sense of euphoria by releasing large amounts of dopamine, a chemical in the brain associated with pleasure. This intense feeling often leads users to seek out the drug again to recreate that experience.
Over time, the body builds a tolerance to heroin, meaning the user needs more of the drug to achieve the same level of euphoria as before. This increase in usage can quickly lead to physical dependence, where the body requires the drug to function normally. When dependence is established, not using heroin can lead to uncomfortable and often painful withdrawal symptoms, driving the user to continue using to avoid these negative effects.
How Typically Heroin is Used?
Heroin is commonly administered in several ways, depending on the preference of the user and the form of the drug. The most common methods of using heroin include:
Injection
Heroin is often dissolved and injected into a vein, muscle, or under the skin, known as intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous injection, respectively. This method provides the most rapid onset of effects.
Snorting
Inhaling heroin powder through the nose is another method of use, which leads to a slightly slower onset of effects compared to injection.
Smoking
Heroin can also be smoked, often on aluminum foil, which allows the drug to vaporize.
Each method of use carries its own risks and speed of onset for the drug’s effects. Injection, however, is particularly dangerous due to the risk of overdose and infectious diseases from needle sharing.
Street Names Of Heroin
Heroin is known by various street names, which can vary by region and even over time.
Some common street names for heroin include:
Smack
H
Junk
Horse
Skag
Brown Sugar
Dope
Black Tar (referring to a specific form of heroin)
Chiva or Cheeva
China White (typically refers to a very pure form of heroin)a very pure form of heroin)
Heroin Addiction Statistics
Heroin addiction statistics in the United States provide a sobering look at the drug’s impact. In 2020, approximately 902,000 Americans used heroin annually, with 6.25 million Americans likely to use heroin at least once in their lifetime.
Heroin accounts for 4.5% of all illicit drug use over the lifetime of Americans aged 12 or older, and 1.5% of all illicit drug use annually in this age group. Alarmingly, 103,000 Americans start using heroin annually, and a significant 80% of heroin users first misused prescription opioids.
In terms of heroin use disorders, less than 1% of the U.S. population aged 12 or older had a heroin disorder in 2020, translating to 691,000 Americans. This demographic made up 1.7% of the total population with a substance abuse disorder. In the same year, 755,000 people aged 12 or older received substance use treatment for heroin, indicating a substantial need for addiction treatment services.
Overdose deaths due to heroin have significantly increased, with 14,019 people dying annually from overdosing on heroin. This rate has risen by over 10,000 people in nearly a decade. Additionally, 8,746 people die annually from overdosing on heroin and synthetic opioids other than methadone, while 5,273 people die annually from overdosing on heroin alone.
- Heroin Addiction
- Symptoms & Effects
- Withdrawal Timeline
- Treatment & Detox
- News & Updates
- Heroin Addiction
- Symptoms & Effects
- Withdrawal Timeline
- Treatment & Detox
- News & Updates
Heroin Addiction Treatment Near Me
Still Detox: A safe and supportive place to heal and grow
At Still Detox Luxury Rehab in Boca Raton, Florida, Our expert team of therapists and practitioners are available 24/7 through our helpline to provide support and guidance to those in need. Don’t wait to seek help – call Still Detox today to start your journey toward sobriety.
