Heroin

Heroin is one of a group of drugs known as "opioids". Other opioids include opium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone.

Heroin and other opioids are depressants. Depressants do not necessarily make you feel depressed. Rather, they slow down the activity of the central nervous system and messages going to and from the brain and the body.

What does it look like?

Heroin can range from a fine white powder to off-white granules or pieces of brown "rock". It has a bitter taste but no smell and is generally packaged in "foils" (aluminium foil) or small, colored balloons.

How is it made?

Then the seedpod of the opium poppy is cut, a sticky resin (opium) oozes out. This resin is refined to produce opium. Opium takes its name from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, which grows in many parts of the world—commonly in Asia and the Middle East, but also in the United States and Australia.

For centuries, opium has been used by many cultures. Morphine, codeine and pethidine are still widely used for medical purposes.
Heroin is made from morphine or codeine by a chemical process, but has a stronger painkilling effect than either of these drugs. The potencyand purity of heroin used can vary substantially, depending on a number of factors, including: how it is manufactured, the ingredients used (for example, morphine and codeine) what the final products is diluted ("cut") with.

Effects of heroin

The effects of heroin may last 3 to 5 hours.

Immediate effects

• Confusion
• Pain relief
• Slowed breathing
• Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
• Constricted pupils
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Slurred and slow speech
• Reduced coordination
• Nausea and vomiting

In greater quantities

The immediate effects intensify and last longer with higher quantities of heroin. The following effects are also likely to occur:

• The ability to concentrate is impaired.
• The user is likely to fall asleep ("on the nod").
• Breathing becomes shallower and slower.
• Nausea and vomiting are more likely to occur.
• Sweating, itching and increased urinary output are also likely.

Overdose

Using a large quantity of heroin can cause death. Breathing becomes very slow, the body temperature drops and the heartbeat becomes irregular.

Overdose may occur if:

• too much heroin is injected
• the strength or purity is high
• heroin is used with alcohol or sedatives (alcohol or benzodiazepines).

To reverse the effects of a heroin overdose, the attending ambulance officer will inject the drug naloxone (such as Narcan) to restart breathing. The Narcan may not last as long as the heroin, so the person will feel "stoned" again and may even become unconscious again. It is important that another quantity of heroin is not taken again on that day, as it may combine with the original quantity of heroin taken and could cause an overdose.

After an overdose, it is strongly advisable to seek advice at a hospital.

Short-term effects

Apart from overdosing, the major problem with short-term use of any opiate is the way it is used. For example, injecting heroin can result in skin, heart and lung infections, and diseases like hepatitis and HIV.

Long-term effects

In its pure form, heroin is relatively non-toxic to the body, causing little damage to body tissue and other organs. However, there are some long-term effects, including dependence, constipation, menstrual irregularity and infertility in women, loss of sex drive in men, intense sadness and cognitive impairment.

Many of the other long-term problems may be the result of other factors, such as the person's poor general care of the self, drug impurities and contaminants and blood-borne viruses.

Heroin is usually a mixture of pure heroin and other substances, such as caffeine and sugar. Additives can be highly poisonous. They can cause collapsed veins, tetanus, abscesses and damage to the heart, lungs, liver and brain.

Tolerance and dependence

People who are physically dependent on heroin usually develop tolerance to the drug, making it necessary to take more and more to get the desired effects. Eventually, a dose plateau is reached, at which no amount of the drug is sufficient. When this level is achieved, the person may continue to use heroin, but largely for the purpose of delaying withdrawal symptoms.

Dependence on heroin can be psychological, physical or both.

People who are psychologically dependent on heroin find that using it becomes far more important than other activities in their lives. They crave the drug and will find it very difficult to stop using it, or even to cut down on the amount they use.

People who are physically dependent on heroin find that their body has become used to functioning with the drug present.

Withdrawal

If a dependent person suddenly stops taking heroin, or severely cuts down the amount they use, they will experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to readjust to functioning without the drug. This usually occurs within a few hours after last use.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

• a craving for the drug
• restlessness
• yawning
• low blood pressure
• elevated heart rate
• stomach and leg cramps, muscle spasms
• loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea
• goose bumps
• tears and a runny nose
• increased irritability
• insomnia
• depression.

These withdrawal symptoms get stronger and usually peak around 2 to 4 days after last use. They usually subside after 6 to 7 days, but some symptoms, such as chronic depression, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, periods of agitation and a continued craving for the drug, may last for periods of months and even years. Sudden withdrawal from heroin rarely causes direct death, unless the user is also using other drugs and is in poor health.

Heroin, hepatitis and HIV

Sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment can greatly increase the risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus—the virus that causes AIDS).

What to do in a drug crisis

If someone is suspected of having overdosed while using heroin, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.

• Call an ambulance. Dial 000. Don’t delay because you think you or your friend might get into trouble. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police.
• Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives. Find out if anyone at the scene knows mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Ensure adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing.
• If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back - they could choke. Turn them on their side and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway.
• If breathing has stopped, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If there is no pulse, apply CPR.
• Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can - how much heroin was taken, how long ago, and any pre-existing medical conditions.

• For more information on the risks of heroin-related harm, contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory.