How Heroin Effects the Body

Heroin, a member of the opiate family of drugs, can be taken into the body through many different avenues. It can be injected into a muscle, smoked in a pipe, mixed in a marijuana joint or cigarette, inhaled as smoke through a straw or snorted as a powder. Of all these avenues, the intravenous injection produces the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of euphoria. When injected, the effects are felt in less than 10 seconds while sniffing or smoking heroin brings the effects in 10 to 15 minutes.

Short-term Heroin Effects

Heroin’s short-term effects disappear in a few hours. These include:

·         Dry mouth

·         Heavy extremities

·         Clouding of mental functions

·         Slowed and slurred speech

·         Constricted pupils

·         Droopy eyelids

·         Vomiting

·         Constipation

Long-term Heroin Effects

Heroin’s long-term effects appear after repeated use of the drug. These include:

·         Collapsed veins

·         Infection of the heart lining and valves

·         Liver disease

·         Abscesses

·         Pulmonary complications

With long-term use, heroin abusers develop a tolerance to the drug. Because of this tolerance, addicts must use more heroin to achieve the same high and intensity as they had previously. Overtime the addiction becomes physical and a dependence develops.

Heroin Withdrawal

Once dependent, if heroin is taken away the addicts will experience withdrawal. In intense cases, withdrawal can occur in a few hours after the last administration. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

·         Drug craving

·         Restlessness

·         Muscle and bone pain

·         Insomnia

·         Diarrhea

·         Vomiting

·         Cold flashes

·         Kicking movements

These symptoms peak between 48 hours to 72 hours after the last dose. In the case of heavily dependent users, sudden withdrawal can be fatal.

For more information on heroin addiction or if you or someone you know needs treatment, please call La Paloma at 877.345.1887. Admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About Foundations Recovery Network

Foundations Recovery Network is a premier organization for treating persons with addiction and mental health disorders. The company oversees three dual diagnosis treatment centers: Michael’s House in Palm Springs, Calif.; La Paloma in Memphis, Tenn.; and The Canyon in Malibu, Calif.