What is Heroin ?

Heroin is an opiate processed from morphine and derived from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is sold on the street in the form of either white or light brown powder or a black, sticky tar-like substance. It's usually cut with anything from starch to baby laxatives. The varying strength is part of why heroin is so dangerous; users can never count on the purity of a given bag and are at risk of overdosing.

Heroin can be smoked, snorted or shot. Each way is equally addictive. With this drug the difference lies in the intensity of the high and the amount of time that passes before the peak high hits. Heroin also goes by a number of street names including dope, China white, heron, H, junk, smack, boy, girl and more.

What are the Effects of Heroin Addiction?

Addiction to heroin is characterized by a physical compulsion to use heroin in larger and larger amounts as the user's tolerance increases. A neurochemical and molecular change occurs in the user's brain as heroin use increases until eventually the drug is the sole focus. It has been shown that heroin addiction is psychological as well, often extending beyond withdrawal. Cravings and relapse can occur long after withdrawal symptoms have faded.

Chronic abuse can lead to a number of physical problems for the user including collapsed and scarred veins, abscesses, liver or kidney disease, bacterial infections and lung complications. The greatest risk, of course, is overdose and death.

How Can Heroin Detox Centers Help?

Heroin withdrawal is one of the most difficult detox processes of any drug: tremors and shaking, nausea and vomiting, chills and profuse sweating, panic, muscle and stomach cramps and more. At a heroin detox programs, trained professionals may provide medical treatment to help ease the symptoms and give moral support until the withdrawal subsides, usually within about a week. Once the withdrawal process is complete, users may choose a rehabilitation or treatment and continue their recovery.