The rising rate of drug abuse is overwhelming. This has also increased the number of drug addicts in society. You may wonder why it is so difficult for some drug addicts to quit taking destructive drugs.
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Questions like, is any social benefit or economic benefit of taking hard drugs? Why does it look like drug addicts are glued to drugs?
Do you need answers? Read on.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin in its pure state, is called diacetylmorphine. It comes in a white powder and is consumed because of its euphoric effects.
Heroin is produced from morphine alkaloids found in opium poppy plants in Asia, Columbia, Mexico, and Afghanistan.
Medically, heroin is more potent than morphine. Heroin is not only known for its euphoric effects but also for relieving pain.
Forms Of Heroin And Mode Of Usage
Heroin is sold in form of a white or brownish substance which is usually bitter. It is laced with sugar, powdered milk, or quinine.
In some places, it is sold as black tar, which is sticky or hard as coal. It contains many impurities.
Heroin can be intravenously injected, and this gives a heavy impact immediately. It is also sniffed, smoked, orally ingested, or used as medicine.
Effects Of Heroin Use
A person can be identified by some signs when they consume heroin for both short and long-term as outlined below;
A surge of euphoria, making the user overly excited.
- Dry mouth
- Severe itching
- Drowsiness and vomiting
- Dwindling between consciousness and unconsciousness
- Collapsed veins for a user who injects into their vein.
- Liver, kidney, and brain disease
- Dysfunctional sexual life for men and unstable menstrual cycle for women.
- Mental illness due to depression
- Heaviness on the arm and legs
- Slow breathing and heart inflammation
- Coma and possible death.
Why Is Heroin Addictive?
Heroin is an opioid that binds to natural opioid receptors in the brain. It gives a euphoric feeling and pain eliminates physical pain.
In other words, heroin hijacks the brain and controls the production of healthy chemicals like endorphins.
Since heroin binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and produces intense pleasure and pain relief, users develop an unusual desire for it.
Long-term usage of heroin will cause the user’s body to grow a tolerance for it. This leads to a higher dosage of heroin, to get the same feeling.
A long-term effect of heroin is destructive because users don’t get satisfied consuming the same measure daily.
Over time, the drug gets used to the body and brain, hence users may likely need heroin to be productive because they may never get the same euphoria and pain relief.
People may try heroin, believing that they won’t get addicted. Unfortunately, one dosage of heroin is enough for addiction. Heroin is highly addictive.
When users decide to withdraw from heroin, they face destructive effects, which may include; vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, loss of appetite, muscle and bone pain, and psychological reactions.
Bottom Line
Treatment for heroin addiction includes medical and behavioral therapy. This is the most effective mode of treatment.
Medically, naloxone and detoxification greatly reduce the effects of heroin addiction. Psychological remedies also help individuals break down from depression and other bad habits.