Heroin is a powerful and highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine, which is extracted from the opium poppy plant. It’s typically a white or brown powder, although it can also appear as a black, sticky substance known as "black tar heroin." Heroin may be referred to as “dope,” “smack,” “H,” “horse,” and “junk.”
Heroin is usually injected with a syringe, snorted, smoked when heated on aluminum foil, or inhaled when heated. Heroin binds to pleasure and pain regulation receptors in the brain and body. It produces a rapid and intense high, often accompanied by a warm, flushing sensation, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in limbs.
Effects of Heroin
In the short term, using heroin can produce euphoria, relaxation, and pain relief; however, heroin is highly addictive. As users continue to ingest this drug, a slew of negative long-term effects may arise.
Chronic heroin use can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular issues, liver and kidney damage, and compromised immune system function. It’s associated with a higher risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Frequent injection can also result in vein collapse.
Risks of Heroin
Heroin users can contract infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C due to needle sharing. Injecting heroin can also result in skin abscesses.
Since heroin is so addictive, it’s possible for users to ingest too much and overdose. Overdose occurs when a high amount of heroin is ingested, and the depressant effects on the central nervous system cause life threatening reactions. During a heroin overdose, there is usually respiratory failure, where breathing becomes slow, shallow, or even stops completely. Without immediate medical intervention, a heroin overdose can be fatal.
If someone is overdosing, call 911, or your local emergency services number, immediately. If you are qualified, administer CPR. Use Naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Detoxing from Heroin
Detox will rid your body of heroin and can be a great step towards recovery. Detox must be done under medical supervision to ensure safety.
Detox can last 4 – 7 days. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear in 8 – 12 hours after quitting. Symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hot and cold flashes
- Sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Diarrhea
Detox can be abstinence-based or assisted with medications such as methadone and buprenorphine. These medications are opioid receptor antagonists, meaning they attach to and activate opioid receptors in the brain to ease withdrawal symptoms. These medications can be used long-term if necessary.
Questions to Ask Your Provider about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
If you are considering MAT for heroin recovery, it's important to have an open discussion with your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your treatment plan. You can ask questions like:
- What medications are available for heroin addiction?
- What are the benefits and potential side effects of each medication?
- How long should I plan to be on medication as part of my treatment?
- Can the medications be addictive themselves, and how will you monitor and manage this aspect?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make while on MAT?
Rehab for Heroin
After detox, you’ll begin therapy to get to the root of your addiction and learn coping skills to manage cravings. Some people with heroin addiction may need a more intensive level of care to help monitor and manage their symptoms. When talking to your doctor, consider discussing which level of care best fits your needs:
- Outpatient (OP): You’ll meet 1-2x per week with your provider and others in treatment.
- Intensive outpatient (IOP): You’ll meet 3-5x per week for several hours at a time for more intensive care.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP): You’ll meet 5-7 times a week for a full day.
- Residential: You’ll live in a rehab for 28+ days and engage in treatment with a comprehensive staff and a community of peers.
- Inpatient: You’ll live in a treatment center or hospital-like setting and have 24/7 monitoring.
Can you relapse on heroin?
Yes, it is possible to relapse on heroin. If this happens, talk to your doctor and seek professional treatment. You may participate in programs that focus on relapse prevention planning along with skills building and evidence-based therapies.
Relapse isn’t a failure, but rather an opportunity to find treatment that better fits your needs and keeps you on the path to sobriety.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
If you’re looking for heroin treatment, talk to your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a substance use rehab to start your recovery. When talking to your provider, consider asking these questions:
- What are the benefits of the different types of treatment available? What are the risks?
- Are there any specific medical or psychiatric assessments I should do before starting treatment?
- What does relapse prevention planning look like?
- Is there treatment that can address any co-occurring disorders that I have?
- Does insurance cover treatment?
How Can I Find Support?
- Rehabs for Heroin
- Telehealth Provider
- Talk to a supportive friend or family member
- Talk to your primary care physician
- National Helplines