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What is it? HEROIN (Pharmaceutical
name ‘diamorphine’) is one of many opiate drugs made from
the sap of the opium poppy. Other opiates include Methadone, Morphine,
Codeine, Diconal, Pethidine and Dihydrocodeine (DF118’s) to
name a few. This section refers to the non-medical use of available
street heroin.
Most
heroin available on the streets is brown heroin in powder form.
Heroin can be smoked (inhaled), snorted or injected.
What
does it do?
Heroin, like other opiates is a ‘depressant’
drug, which has a sedative effect on the body’s nervous system.
It slows the body functioning and combats physical and emotional
pain. First time users may find it makes them sick. The effects
of heroin usually relax the user; evoke a detachment, which lessens
anxiety. Effects usually start off quickly and, depending on how
much is taken, can last for several hours.
In
high doses, as with other depressants, users can fall asleep –
which can be fatal as your breathing may be suppressed – see
Overdose Risk. Falling asleep is also a fire hazard for those who
smoke cigarettes.
Why
would anyone use it? As we know, drug use is complex
and everyone’s reason for using any drug will be different
from another. There are those that try it through experimentation
and leave it alone. There are those that enjoy the effects to start
with and then find themselves dependent. And there are those that
use it, as with other drugs, to cope with their lives or psychological
problems. Either way, tolerance and dependence on the drug develop
and help may be needed to stop.
Want to know more?
See our LINKS, Recommended Reading at the
end of this page or email us.
MIXING WITH OTHER DRUGS
Beware,
heroin is a bad mixer, not keen on company at all in fact! Taking
Heroin with anything that makes you sleepy INCLUDING ALCOHOL,
increases your chances of going to sleep and not waking up. And when
you're sleepy, there's more chance of you choking on your own vomit.
HEROIN & GHB
- Increased HIGH risk of Overdose. AVOID.
HEROIN & TRANQUILISERS
-
Don't mix with Rohypnol, Valium, Benzodiazepines or Barbiturates,
prescription pain killers.
HEROIN & ECSTASY
- Ecstasy can mask the effects of Heroin making it easier to
overdose.
HEROIN & LSD
- Psychedelic drugs mess with the effects of Heroin making the
experience unpredictable and more likely than not - unpleasant.
Overdose
Risk? Yes,
for a number of reasons that users need to be aware of:
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