Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal street drug that can be snorted, smoked or injected. Here are 7 things about heroin that you or your teen may not know including how it’s made, what its effects are, withdrawal symptoms and common street names.
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Heroin
By Teen Rehab
Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal street drug that can be snorted, smoked or injected. Here are 7 things about heroin that you or your teen may not know.
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1. Made From Poppies
By Teen Rehab
Heroin is made from chemically processing morphine, a drug which is naturally derived from the seed of opium poppy.
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2. Previously Medicinal
By Teen Rehab
Today, we understand heroin to be a dangerous street drug. When it was first created, its purpose was to be a strong painkiller and cough suppressant in the 19th Century. However, its side effects and highly addictive properties meant that it was abused by users.
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3. Depressive Effects
By Teen Rehab
Heroin is known as a “depressive drug” which means that it slows brain activity and nervous system activity down. Some users report feeling like their limbs are heavy as a result.
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4. A Rush, Followed By Warmth
By Teen Rehab
After entering the body either by snorting, smoking or injecting, heroin mimics endorphins in the brain and gives the user a feeling of a quick rush and euphoria. Following this, users will feel a sense of slowing down, warmth, and contentment as the drug binds to opioid receptors.
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5. Long Term Consequences
By Teen Rehab
Some consequences of long term use of heroin can lead to constipation, liver and heart problems, malnourishment as a result of a decline in appetite, and menstrual irregularities in women.
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6. Effects of Withdrawal
By Teen Rehab
Some signs of withdrawal to be aware of include stomach cramps, hot and cold sweats, anxiety, irritability and diarrhea.
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7. Common Street Names
By Teen Rehab
Some common street names of heroin include: Smack, horse, junk, skag, brown, Harry, boy and “H”.
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