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How does Heroin affect you? .
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How is Heroin Made?
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Demographics & Deadly Component. .
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Mentality of the User.
HIstory of it Use
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Interesting facts on Heroin
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. 12
History of its Use
By Melissa Gonzalez
The source of heroin, the Opium poppy dates back to 5500 years ago when the ancient greeks and romans utilized the ability of the Opium poppy, to relieve patients from pain. Early in the 1880’s, morphine became the first derivative of the opium poppy; morphine was as 10 times more powerful than the poppy. Not until 1874, when Charles Romley Alder Wright incorporated two acetyl groups into morphine. The compound was first tested on dogs and rabbits, once the research and results of the drug were published, it was massively unapproved by the scientific community. In 1897, a re-discovery of Heroin was made by Felix Hoffmann, a german chemist who created aspirin for the Bayer pharmaceutical company. The re-discovery caused a burst in the medical market as an alternative to morphine or the latest form of opium, codeine which was twice as strong when compared to morphine. Heroin was used to treat injuries,disorders, and infections. For an instance heroin was labeled as a safe alternative for morphine, until the misuse of it began to occur.
By the time the U.S entered the 20th century, heroin addiction was a serious problem. Heroin was distributed in numerous amounts. Kits of heroin and other Opium derivatives were distributed worldwide after the first world war to supply treatment to the wounded soldiers. Creating the first generation of addicts to Heroin, morphine and codeine. Because of the high rate of addicts, in 1914, heroin was banned. Not only was the use of heroin incrementing, but heroin-related deaths and murders. During this period of time, other derivatives were being extracted and formed from the Poppy Plant. In an attempt to eradicate the addiction to heroin, Benzodiazepines were introduced in the 1950’s, yet this drug which claimed to alleviate the constant of heroin became a replacement for heroin. By 1987, drug addiction was a recognized disease by the AMA.
How does Heroin affects you? Heroin can come in many different forms, but for the most part it is injects by a syringe into a vein, but the effects of it can be different for everyone. Depending on the many factor such as the dosage, the strength of the dose, the physiology of the person taking it, and taking any other drugs as well. Using other suppressant can have deadly results or put a person in a coma. The part of the body affect the most by heroin is the nervous system. It slows down everything in the body like your reflexes and your ability to think. In a study where heroin users were observed, none of them had any previous head trauma, but their brains showed similar sign of what seemed like head injuries as well as significant brain matter deterioration.
By Sarina Prado The use of the drug leads to dependency and addiction because when you floof the body with opioids, high level of dopamine are produced. Heroin also mimics the body's natural natural painkillers (endorphins). Once in the body some of it metabolizes in 6MAM, but the rest goes through a series of metabolizing into different chemicals that give the user a sense of euphoria and pain relief. Many events take place once heroin enters the system, some are immediate and some take place a little while after injection or ingestion. Article continued on next page.
Heroin is made from the the poppy flower which also makes morphine used for medical use. Heroin and morphine attach to the same receptors but react different in the brain because of the way they are harvested. There are three opioid receptors that heroin, no matter what form, attaches to: mu opioid receptor are the most abundant opioid receptors throughout the body, and it is responsible for the pleasurable effect that comes from taking the drug. Delta opioid receptors are responsible for the pain relief and reduced gastrointestinal movement as well as mood swings too. Kappa opioid receptor is responsible for a reduced anxiety effect, trance like states, and becoming physically dependant and addicted to heroin. Pictured: The poppy plant from which heroin is derived from.
Effect on the brain Upon injection of heroin, it floods the bloodstream and travels to the brain, flooding the synapses with endorphins. This process stops other neurons from firing, and the endorphins produce the feeling of pain relief and create a feeling of euphoria. Because the user can control the amount of fake “endorphins”, they can increase the amount of pleasure they want to feel, as humans are constantly seeking pleasure. This is what makes the drug addictive and dangerous because a person can not go without the drug after the first dose. The first fews minutes are known as a rush when the drug is still filling the brain. Then comes a high that last for hours depending the strength and amount of the dose. Addict’s describe the feeling as a warm, drowsy, cozy state. After the effect of the drug has left the system, there are painful withdrawal symptoms causing one to want the the euphoric feeling back becoming addicted to the feeling and using the drug more and trying to get that ‘high’ again.
Continued use of heroin will eventually slow brain activity and deteriorate some areas. Eventually the constant use will no longer cause the euphoric feeling from the first few doses and heroin will only be used to get rid of the pain that comes from withdrawal. It comes to the point sometimes that addicts will increase the dose, increasing their chances of overdosing and therefore decreasing their chances of fully recovering. While a person goes into an overdose many things happen to the body itself but the brain is affected in a way that could lead to most certain death. The first thing that happens during an overdose is that the body doesn't get enough oxygen leading to the brain to go into hypoxia. This is because heroin and other opioids directly affects the area of the brain that controls breathing. The less oxygen that gets to the brain the more damage comes from the overdose event and therefore leads to death more often than not. Surviving an overdose is possible but most people die because they have been unconscious for too long and end up not getting the medical attention they need. If you are lucky enough to get found by medical officials you will be treated for but it might result in a coma. Comas could slowing start to deteriorate your body. Most times organs start to shut down and a person can be on life support. All the stress put on the brain will cause brain death or slow brain activity, to where all energy will be used for all necessary organs but some will still fail since they are not working at full potential.
How is Heroin Made? By Sarina Prado
Continued from previous page At the end of it all the long term effects could cause anyone to go mad. Your mind has no control over your body while under the drug, and after the effects wear off, you try and get your next fix to get that euphoric feeling back. Dopamine is produced at high rates and eventually the need to use heroin increases to more of a survival kind of state. If not taken off of heroin quickly, the long term effects could rot your mind and recovery is painful for the mind and body. Becoming addicted is as quickly as the first dose because nothing will ever give you that “happy feeling� unlike heroin.
When found in nature heroin is a fine white powder, which is the purest form. But it is usually bought off the streets looking a variety of different colors like rosy, brown, or even black. This is due to additives put in to dilute it and have more to sell by drug dealers. Additives can include non lethal substances like caffeine or sugar, or poisons like strychnine (rat poison). Problems with this is that the solutions do not fully dilute and when injected carry the risk of clogging blood vessels. Vessels could lead to the brain kidneys or lungs, which means that users run the risk of strokes and organ failure due to not having proper blood flow. Heroin can be made to be injected, smoked or inhaled. The main components that make up the addictive properties come from the poppy plant. Morphine is extracted but it can turn into heroin if it is left out in the sun to dry and in a way ferment. The poppy plant is illegal to grow in the United States, but in Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and Latin American countries like Mexico and Columbia, the plant is grown and cultivated in large fields for production. Making heroin on the streets has been perfected and now more than ever a purer variety is sold but dealers alway add substitutes to sell more.
Demographics & Deadly Components At present day, there are various drugs created and introduced on a daily basis. The sales of these drugs increment, as so do the demographics of users and the deaths caused by overdose. Yet, consumers of these products are not necessarily aware of the deadly components. Heroin is sold and distributed in distinct forms: Black tar, brown powder and white powder heroin, all derivative of the poppy plant. The opium poppy goes as far back to 3400 BC, cultivated in Mesopotamia, but developed and used as treatment in Egypt. BOpium is a pain reliever that induces sleep and relieves the bowels. It has several derivatives such as,codeine, morphine, and Heroin. ut what makes heroin so addictive ? It is not only the stimulation in the brain that is endorsed by the release of dopamine. A discovery in 1972 led by researchers in John Hopkins, exposed the reason. Neurons in our brain have a specific receptor site for opiates, for it has a similar structure to endorphins, the body’s natural form of opium. As the heroin enters the body, the morphine locks on the receptor sites of the brain, producing pain relief and pleasure. Nevertheless, there is much more than the effects inside the brain produced by Heroin;
By Melissa Gonzalez the drug contains chemicals such as calcium-oxide, chloroform, anhydride, and ammonia, yet when bought off street-drug dealers the outcomes are menacing than when purchasing it in its purest form. Dealers may replace heroin for a common substitute such as baking powder, yet this is only a minimal concern. Additives such as strychnine, a poison that is mixed in with chunks of chalk is being sold out in the streets. This compound is not easily dissolved in the bloodstream, producing clogs in blood vessels, eventually leading to death. Statistics from 2000-2013 expose the increments of overdose and death. During this period of time, there was a 286% increase of heroin related overdose deaths; males had a higher increment in heroin overdosage with half the difference when compared to females. Demographics contain categories which segregate the increasing use of Heroin in such as: age, gender, ethnicity, income,and place of residence;factors that are being used to determine Heroin addictions and use. According to “Vital signs: Demographics and substance use Trends Among Heroin Users- United states, 2002-2013�, an analysis brought by The centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Article continued on next page
Demographics reveal the data from the national survey on drug use and health; a research conducted during an extensive period of time: 2002-2013. It is stated “However, the percentage of heroin users with opioid pain reliever abuse or dependence more than doubled from 20.7% in 2002–2004 to 45.2% in 2011–2013. By 2011–2013, opioid pain reliever abuse or dependence was more common among heroin users than alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine abuse or dependence”. The difference in the increase of opioid dependence was 24.5 %, however by 2011-2013 there was already a common conception of the use and addiction to heroin. The details in this demographic expose the majority of heroin addicts consume heroin through injection. This method is perilous because it may cause infection if the needle unsterilized or if it has been share with others previously.
The second most common form is through inhalation, which it is known to cause drowsiness, dizziness and most importantly swollen nostrils which may lead to infection.Overall, 67% of civilians consume heroin each day through the methods demonstrated in the previous image.
The demographic above exposes the leading gender (men )in deaths caused by the use of Heroin. Evidently, the death rates have incremented from 2001 to 2014. The increase of deaths within each gender was a significantly dissimilar, with males in the lead with approximately 6,000 deaths in average throughout the 13 year census of heroin- related deaths, followed by approximately 1,800 deaths in women. .One can discern it is due to the misuse of heroin or possibly a mix of drugs and the lack of medical attention. It is recommended to help and seek medical attention to those addicted to heroin. With the latest increments in the misuse and consequences of this drug, it is important to keep in mind those who are currently consuming Heroin.
Mentality of the User There is extreme danger in taking any drug or alcoholic product. Once heroin is consumed the user has a risk of having short and long term side effects from taking the drug once it reaches the brain where it binds to the opioid receptors converting to morphine. Once this occurs the consumer’s skin becomes warm, his/her extremities become heavy, itchiness, vomiting and drowsiness for long periods of time. Bodily functions become slow such as slow heart function and mental functions. Slow breathing is also an effect and can lead to long term or permanent brain damage. As the amount of times and the amount itself of heroin rises the brain changes structure and undergoes different operational changes. The neuronal and hormonal systems in the brain become imbalanced and the white matter deteriorates due to the repeated use. The ability to control his/her behavior, decision making, and stress response is impacted tremendously. The body becomes slowly tolerant to the drug and the user becomes physically dependant which causes the yearn for more. This causes the massive withdrawals connected to heroin.
By Bruno Sullon
Heroin withdrawal With heroin use at a regular basis the user starts wanting more and more of the drug and without it withdrawals commence. The total stop of consumption starts withdrawals within six hours of the last dose and keep going for up to seven days. It is rare but in some cases while overcoming the symptoms of withdrawal there can be a risk if life threats made by the user himself. When in withdrawals the user can receive complicated concomitant medical and psychiatric conditions. Symptoms ● Excess sweating, rhinorrhea, lacrimation ● Insomnia, headaches, lacrimation ● Bone pain, muscle spasms, arthralgia, cramps ● Piloerection, dilation of pupils, blood pressure elevation ● Tachycardia, cold flashes, dysphoria, increased cravings for opioids Treatment Heroin detox is a treatment sought by many users. The practice is extremely dangerous and not advisable. If done at home or in a home setting; the risk of hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and tremors is higher than it would be if you take the process at a professional treatment center. Recovery is seen more often and easier to find where there is professional help in detox instead of a personal home setting. The overall process in detoxication is full of risks. As in the risks of overdoses occurring.
Mentality of User The increased risk of overdose occurs when the user goes back to the same habit and dosage of the drug. After the detox process the user cannot take the same dosage of heroin as they could have before because their bodies are intolerable to the same amount once accustomed. The mistake costs the lives of many heroin users. Addiction Heroin is highly addictive and in regular cases the user develops a tolerance to the drug and makes the user believe a higher and more frequent dosage is needed to get the effects looked for. After the does the user feels nausea and sleepiness and as the dose is augmented these effects start to become less noticeable and the effects of withdrawal occurs which usually makes the user go back to the drug to prevent the symptoms. When the user reaches this level he/she is officially considered an addict to heroin. Signs of addiction ● ● ● ● ●
Fatigue followed by patterns of alertness Lack of motivation Poor motor skills and disorientation Communication is incomprehensible, speech is deteriorated, slurred speech No care of self, hygiene, or image.
Treatment for heroin addiction There are many behavioral therapies that can deal with addiction and stop the use of heroin. These therapies include contingency management and cognitive- behavioral therapy. These provide rewards and a motive to stay drug free and for having a positive outlook. Cognitive behavioral therapy modifies the user’s behavior towards heroin and manages the triggers and stress involved with the drug. Along with medication this therapy process has proven to help with heroin addiction.
Interesting facts on Heroin
Some very interesting facts on heroin include but are not limited to: ● ● ●
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Heroin was used as cough syrups and available over the counter The average addict takes in 150 to 200 mg of the drug per day In only 1 day an addict will waste $80 to $20 to maintain the addiction and get the sought out results You can get a dose of heroin for as low as $10 if bought of the street 80% of addicts or consumers inject heroin in pairs even though the same percentage of overdose victims are found alone 2% to 3% of seniors in highschool have admitted to taking the drug before graduating. Heroin is known as smack, “H”, horse, junk, chiva, white horse Heroin’s purest form is a white powder but can be found as a brown or gray powder and in some cases a sticky “black tar”
By Bruno Sullon
BIBLIOGRAPHY ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
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Heroin's Destructive Effects on Vital Organs: Brain, Kidneys and Intestines. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/heroin/organs.html Home Detox. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://www.howtokickheroin.com/how-heroin-works/ Heroin Effects on the Brain. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/heroin-effects-sub-page-1/heroin-effects-on-the-brain/ Galassi, G., Ariatti, A., Gozzi, M., & Cavazza, S. (2013). A heroin addict with focal weakness [Abstract]. 1-4. A. (n.d.). Heroin in the Brain. Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://www.intheknowzone.com/substance-abuse-topics/heroin/heroin-in-the-brain.html A Look at the Physical Anatomy of an Overdose. (2016, July 27). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://drugabuse.com/what-happens-to-your-body-during-an-overdose/ Abuse, N. I. (2017, January 06). Overdose Death Rates. Retrieved February 28, 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates Abuse, N. I. (n.d.). Heroin. Retrieved February 25, 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin Watch Truth About Drugs Documentary Video & Learn About Substance Addiction. Get The Facts About Painkillers, Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth & Other Illegal Drugs. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2017, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html What Makes Heroin So Addictive? (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2017, from http://www.michaelshouse.com/heroin-rehab/why-is-heroin-so-addictive/ Why Is Heroin Addictive? - Treatment for Heroin Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2017, from http://luxury.rehabs.com/heroin-addiction/why-is-heroin-addictive/ Hartney, P. E. (n.d.). What's In Heroin That Makes It So Addictive? Retrieved February 25, 2017, from https://www.verywell.com/what-is-in-heroin-22048 (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2017, from http://heroin.net/think/changing-faces-of-heroin Watch Truth About Drugs Documentary Video & Learn About Substance Addiction. Get The Facts About Painkillers, Marijuana, Cocaine, Meth & Other Illegal Drugs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 03, 2017, from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin.html How to Make Heroin: The Story the Poppy Flower Transformation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 03, 2017, from https://addictionresource.com/drugs/heroin/how-to-make-heroin/