Information on Heroin Addiction and Rehabilitation
Heroin is an opiate (prepared from morphine by chemical treatment) with biochemical effects related to emotional and physical pain relief. Opiates like heroin bind to painkilling sites throughout the brain, known as opioid-Mu receptors or the "reward pathway." This leads to slower uptake of neurotransmitters, like dopamine, between neurons. Immediate effects include cessation of pain, drowsiness, and a feeling of well-being associated with pain reduction.
With chronic use of heroin, the brain may stop producing endorphins, natural painkilling chemicals, because it has gotten used to heroin, that is, the brain shows a change in its circuitry, and only functions normally in the presence of heroin. The user must replace the missing endorphins with heroin in order to feel well. But because thebrain has adapted to heroin, it becomes less sensitive to it, so the dosage will have to be increased gradually to obtain the original effects of heroin. This is called tolerance, which usually leads to dependence/addiction.
Dependence/addiction occurs when a constant supply of the opiate is supplied. When this drug is withdrawn several physiological reactions occur. When the heroin is taken away, neurons that have long been inhibited, start pumping out neurotransmitters again. This imbalance of chemicals in the brain interacts with the nervous system to produce the classic opiate withdrawal symptoms: nausea, muscle spasms, cramps, anxiety, fever, diarrhoea. These symptoms can be very serious and the abuser will use the drug again to avoid the withdrawal syndrome.
To sum up, cocaine dependence
Heroin dependence/addiction is a state in which the organism only functions normally in the presence of heroin
and is manifested as a physical disturbance when the heroin is removed (withdrawal).
The physical effects of heroin use and symptoms of addiction to heroin
There are some symptoms that indicate dependence/addiction on heroin:
Need for increased amounts of heroin to achieve the same effects in time.
Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control heroin use.
Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of heroine use.
Withdrawal symptoms: getting physical symptoms after going a short period without using heroin. Withdrawal symptoms can include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting, and uncontrollable body movements.
Use of heroin to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
A return to heroin after a period of abstinence: deciding to quit using heroin and not being able to follow through.
What are effects of heroin addiction?
Heroin damages the nervous system and can also cause short and long term harm to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. On the other hand, heroin dependents decrease their ability to function both mentally and physically. The physical effects of heroin dependence/addiction may include:
Short-term cocaine effects include
• Chronic constipation
• Irregular periods for women
• Pneumonia
• Resistance to infection
• Euphoria, lethargy
• Lack of movement
• Drowsiness, slowed pulse
• Flushing of skin on face, chest and neck
This can be made worse by poor nutrition, self neglect and bad housing. Regular injectors may suffer more health problems including damaged veins, heart and lung disorders.
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