Heroin is an opiate. It is comes from morphine, which is made from the poppy plant. Heroin is therefore a derivative of morphine.
Heroin acts on the central nervous system. It is both a depressant and a hallucinogen, which numbs the brain, slows the body down and affects the senses and the perception of reality.
What it is called
Appearance
Characteristics
Smack
Dope
Mud
Horse
Skag
Junk
H
Black tar
Black pearl
Brown sugar
Witch hazel
Birdie powder
Dragon
Hero
White stuff
China white
Boy
Chiva
Mexican horse
Skunk
Number 8
White powder, sometimes brownish
Most of the time, heroin is injected intravenously, but it can also be inhaled (snorted) or smoked.
Effects of heroin
Heroin typically causes:
Calm euphoria (an internalized feeling of jumping for joy)
A sense of calmness
Bliss
Nausea and vomiting
Perspiration
Itching
Constricted pupils
Slow movement
Risks associated with heroin and possible consequences
Overdose
In case of overdose, heroin can cause:
Drowsiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Breathing problems
Heart problems
Coma and death
To learn more, consult the Intoxication section of Problems Associated with Alcohol Consumption and Drug Use.
Addiction
Heroin use quickly leads to addiction.
Heroin causes psychological dependence, which means that you need to take the drug more often in order to feel better about yourself, relax, calm down, feel stimulated or have the courage to face problems.
Heroin also causes physical dependence, which is a need created by the body’s addiction to the effects of the drug. If you try to go without it, you may experience varying degrees of physical reaction, such as:
Yawning
Spasms
Goosebumps, chills
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain
Anxiety, irritability
To learn more, read the Addiction section of Problems Associated with Alcohol Consumption and Drug Use.
Heroin use leads to tolerance. The more you use it, the more you need to feel the same effects as the first time.
Heroin gradually consumes your life to the point where you:
Change lifestyle habits on the basis of the drug
Experience problems at school or at work
Lose interest in maintaining relationships with people who do not use the drug
Isolate yourself
Consequences associated with safety and law
Possession of drugs such as heroin is illegal. Simply possessing a small quantity can lead to fines and a criminal record. These consequences also apply to people younger than 18. To learn more, consult the Éducaloi website .
Information on the website in no way replaces the opinion of a health professional. If you have questions concerning your health status, consult a professional.