6 . HEroin Heroin is either smoked or injected, and is extremely addictive. People who use heroin become dependent very quickly, as they are drawn to the rush of pleasure they experience when using. However, the withdrawal effects of heroin use are very painful (anyone see the movie Trainspotting?), making it a really difficult drug to quit. Once people become addicted to heroin, they continue to use–mostly to prevent themselves from feeling sick. Heroin is a depressant, and therefore slows down all the processes in the mind and body.
A
Never did it… I was too scared I’d never get off it, like everyone else I know who tried it. OVERDOSE
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
Because of the profound physical effects of using heroin, death by overdose is a major possibility. This happens because breathing slows down to the point where it stops altogether. This can happen with a single dose, meaning someone can die of a heroin overdose the very first time they use! Unfortunately, the composition of street heroin varies widely, and the purity of the drug is never known to the user. Therefore, it is very possible for the user to receive a dose that is much higher than expected.
• Slower breathing • Flushed skin • Pinpoint pupils • Nausea and vomiting • Constipation • Nodding of the head (looks like nodding off to sleep) • Decreased ability to feel pain • Increased risk of contracting Hepatitis A and C, and HIV, through infected needles
WITHDRAWAL Withdrawal from heroin is miserable, but not life threatening. Physically, it feels like a very bad flu: fatigue, sweating, aching, and diarrhea. These symptoms go away after about a week.
MENTAL / EMOTIONAL EFFECTS • Dreamy, pleasant states • Psychologic addiction • User becomes preoccupied with how to get more heroin
healthyteens.ca
35
