Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that carries severe risks of overdose, infectious disease, and chronic brain disorder.
What is heroin?
Heroin is an illegal, very addictive opioid drug made from morphine, which comes from the seedpod of opium poppy plants. It can appear as a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin.
How do people use heroin?
People inject, sniff, snort, or smoke heroin. Some mix it with crack cocaine, a practice known as "speedballing." All these methods send the drug to the brain very quickly, contributing to its high potential for addiction.
What are the short-term effects of heroin?
Users report a "rush" of pleasure, followed by effects such as warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the limbs. Other effects include severe itching, nausea, and vomiting. After the initial effects, users typically become drowsy for several hours, and their breathing slows down.
What are the long-term effects of heroin?
Long-term use can lead to liver, kidney, and lung disease, mental disorders, and abscesses. Injecting the drug carries additional risks, including:
- Infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
- Bacterial infections of the skin, bloodstream, and heart (endocarditis)
- Collapsed veins
Repeated use leads to tolerance and physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and cold flashes with goose bumps. Chronic use can result in heroin use disorder, a long-lasting brain disorder where the drug becomes the primary focus of the user's life despite negative consequences.
Can a person overdose on heroin?
Yes, an overdose occurs when a person uses so much heroin that it causes a life-threatening reaction or death. Because the strength of street heroin is unknown and it is often combined with illegally made fentanyl (IMF) or other substances, the risk of overdose is high. Overdose causes heart rate and breathing to slow down, potentially leading to hypoxia—a lack of oxygen to the brain—which can result in coma, permanent brain damage, or death.
How can a heroin overdose be treated?
A medicine called naloxone can treat an opioid overdose if administered in time. It works by blocking the effects of the opioid. Naloxone is available as a nasal spray or an injectable, and people at risk are encouraged to carry it.
What are the treatments for heroin use disorder?
Treatments include medicines to manage withdrawal and block opioid effects, combined with behavioral therapies. Patients should work with health care providers to develop a personalized treatment plan.