Heroin / Question
Published: March 29, 2007

Dear TeenHealthFX,

1. what are the health risks of using heroin 2. what is the legal status of the drug 3. how does the drug affect the central nervous system/body 4. is this drug habit forming

Signed: 4 Questions On Herion Use

Dear 4 Questions On Herion Use,

 

Heroin is the most commonly abused of all narcotics. Narcotic drugs, also called opiates, are derivatives of the opium poppy or chemically similar synthetics. Heroin is a morphine derivative and was first synthesized in 1874 to be used for medicinal purposes until its addictive potential was recognized.

 

Here are the answers to your four questions:

 

1.  There are various physical and mental health risks for heroin users. Immediate signs and symptoms of heroin use include:

• Nausea, shaking, excessive perspiration, chills.
• Drowsiness, lethargy.
• Constricted pupils; reduced vision.
• Track marks on inner arms or other parts of the body from injecting.

 

Long-term effects and other problems associated with heroin use include:

• Feelings of depression, which may last weeks.
• The risk of infection of HIV/AIDS, Tetanus, and Hepatitis from needle sharing when heroin is injected.
• Significant damage to the nasal passages when heroin is snorted.
• Collapsed veins and bacterial infections.
• Slow and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Irregular blood pressure
• Liver disease.
• Fatigue, restlessness and irregular, noisy breathing due to fluid in the lungs
• Stroke or heart attack caused by blood clots resulting from insoluble additives.
• Dry, itchy skin and skin infections.
• Irregular menstrual cycles for women.
• Constipation and loss of appetite.
• Infection of the heart lining and valves.
• Use of heroin with other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine (known as “speedballing”) can cause serious health problems, such as serum hepatitis, skin abscesses, inflammation of the veins, and cardiac disease.
• Injuries that can result from engaging in activities while incapacitated by heroin use (i.e., driving, using heavy machinery).
• Apathy and reduced diet caused by heroin use can lead to disease as a result of poor diet, self neglect, and unhealthy living conditions.
• The increased cost of satisfying tolerance/dependence can lead to money problems, which can result in self-neglect and major social/legal problems.
• Respiratory paralysis, heart arrest, coma and death from accidental overdose.
• Heroin use during pregnancy is associated with increased rate of stillbirths and miscarriages. In addition, babies born addicted to heroin must undergo withdrawal after birth, and these babies tend to show a number of developmental problems.

 

2.  It is illegal to manufacture, possess, or sell heroin in the United States.

 

3.  Heroin negatively impacts the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), as well as the Central Nervous System (CNS). The ANS consists of motor neurons that control internal organs, controlling muscles in the heart, as well as the smooth muscle in internal organs, such as the intestine, bladder and uterus. Heroin affects many organs throughout the ANS causing blood vessels to relax and heartbeat to slow, lowering blood pressure. They slow and weaken contraction of muscles that control breathing and constrict intestinal muscles, slowing digestion.

 

The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Heroin is a powerful CNS depressant that can slow down the operations of the brain. It first affects those areas of the brain that control a person’s conscious, voluntary actions. As dosages increase, heroin begins to affect the parts of the brain controlling the body’s automatic, unconscious processes. It can depress breathing or heart rate to such an extent as to cause respiratory failure or heart failure.

 

4.  Heroin is a highly addictive drug. With regular heroin use a tolerance develops, which means more of the drug must be used to achieve the same intensity or effect. Heroin is so addictive because it activates many regions of the brain, particularly the regions responsible for producing pleasure sensations and physical dependence. As higher doses are used over time, physical dependence occurs, meaning that the body adapts to the presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms will occur if the drug use is reduced or stopped. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about 1 week.

 

Withdrawal produces:

• Drug cravings
• Restlessness and tremors
• Muscle and bone pain
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes and sweating
• Kicking movements
• Loss of appetite
• Panic
• Flu symptoms, such as watery eyes and runny nose
• Elevations in blood pressure, pulse respiratory rate and temperature.

 

 

 

 

Signed: TeenHealthFX

Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

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