Heroin

Heroin is a synthesized form of morphine, a naturally occurring drug derived from the seedpod of the opium poppy plant. It is most commonly found in a white or brown powdered form that can be smoked, inhaled, injected, or snorted. An initial sense of euphoria is achieved immediately following the absorption of heroin.

Symptoms and Signs of Heroin Abuse

Drowsiness
Respiratory depression
Constricted (“pin point”) pupils
Loss of appetite
Flu-like symptoms
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Cough
Nausea
Nodding out
Clammy skin
Shallow breathing
Convulsions
Spontaneous abortion

Paraphernalia associated with the drug include syringes and bent spoons. Heroin users may have scars (often called “tracks”) caused by injections. Heroin addiction can lead to serious health complications such as pulmonary disease, collapsed veins, liver disease, infection of the heart lining and valves, contraction of hepatitis or HIV/AIDS from needle use, kidney disease, skin infection, permanent damage to vital organs and possible death.

Social Costs of Using Heroin
It is estimated that about 23 percent of individuals who use heroin become dependent on it. Usually, heroin addicts are in the prime of their working careers. Sadly, many heroin users engage in criminal behavior as well to support their habit. Financial troubles can lead to homelessness, malnutrition, and stealing while devastating families. Heroin abusers are likely to have difficulty completing tasks and/or staying employed during active addiction. The estimated cost of heroin addiction in 1996 was $21.9 billion. The number of people taking heroin has increased greatly since the 90s. Sadly, the number of high school students using heroin has also increased. People uneducated in heroin and addiction believe if they smoke or snort heroin, they will not become addicted. A serious misconception.

Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Chronic use of heroin leads to physical dependence. Once a user reduces or stops abruptly extreme withdrawal symptoms begin as early as a few hours after the last usage

Flu-like Symptoms
Watery Eyes
Runny Nose
Sweating
Chills
Cramps
Loss of Appetite
Tremors
Panic
Yawning
Irritability
Muscle and Bone Pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Involuntary Kicking Movements

Heroin cravings can continue for years and can be triggered by people, places, stressful situations and things associated with drug use.

Medically managed detox can ease the heroin withdrawal symptoms and reduce the intensity of cravings. However, detox alone is not enough to keep a heroin addict clean, though it is a major step in recovery. Scientifically based addiction treatment programs can provide a heroin user with the best possible outcomes. Credentialed treatment programs staffed with certified addiction physicians, psychiatrist, addiction counselors, therapist and other professionals knowledgeable in addiction treatment can provide addicts with the necessary tools and insights to help break addictive behavior and to live a drug free productive life.

Slang Terms for Heroin

A-Bomb, A la Canona, AIP. Antifreeze, Aries, Aunt Hazel, Ballot, Bart Simpson, Belly Habit, Big Bag, Big Doodig, Big H, Big Harry, Bin Laden, Bindle, Black Tar, Blue Bag, Blue Velvet, Blows, Bombs Away, Bonita, Bozo, Brother, Brown Crystal, Brown Rhine, Brown Sugar, Brown Tape, Bull Dog, Bundle, Butu, Caballo, Caca, Capital H, Carga, Carne, Chapopote, Charley, Chasing the Tiger, Chiba,Chieva, China Cat, Chinese Red, Chip, Chiva, Choco-fan, Cotics, Crown Crap, Cura, Dead On Arrival, Dead President, Diesal, Dirt, Dog Food, Dogie, Doogie, Dooley, Doosey, Dr. Feelgood, Dreck, Duji, Dujra, Dujre,Dyno, Dyno-Pure,Eigth, Estuffa, Ferry Dust, Foil, Furra, Galloping Horse, Gallup, Gamot, George, Gato, George Smack, Glacines, Goat, Good and Plenty, Golden Girl, Golpe, Good H, Good Horse, H, High Caps, Hache, Hairy, Hard Candy, Hard Stuff, Harry, Hayron, Hazel, Helen, Hell Dust, Henry, Hera, Hero, Hero of the Underworld, Herone, Him, Holy Terror, Hombre, Horse, Horsevite, Hot Dope, HRN, Isda, Jee Gee, Jerry Springer, Jive Doo Jee, Joharito, Jojee, Jones, Joy, Joy Flakes, Junco, La Buena, La Chiva, Little Boy,Mac, Manteca, Matsakow, Mexican Horse, Mexican Mud, Money Talks, Morotagara, Muzzle, Nanoo, Nice and Easy, Nickel Deck, Noice, Number 4, Number 8, Nurse, Ogoy, Old Garbage, Old Navy, Orange Line, Pangonadalot, Polvo, Pluto, Poppy, Predator, Pulborn, Pure, Rambo, Raw Fusion, Raw Hide, Red Chicken, Red Eagle, Red Rock, Reindeer Dust, Rhine, Rush Hour, Sack, Scag, Scat, Scate, Scott, Second to None, Sh’t, Shmeck, Shoot, Silk, Ska, Skag, Skid, Slime, Smack, Snotty, Spider, Spider Blue, Stuff, Sweet Dreams, Sweet Jesus, Tecata, Thanie, The Beast, The Witch, Thunder, Tigre, Tigre Blanco, Tigre del Norte, Tits, Tongs, Tootsie Roll, Top Drool, Train, Vidrio, White Junk, White Nurse, White Stuff, Witch Hazel, WTC, Zoquete