Name:

IDC

PSYCHOLOGY 01

RESEARCH ON DRUGS
Heroin

Heroin or diacetylmorphine is a strong analgesic (commonly known as pain killer medicine, as

they are used in treatment of pain) medication. In the United Kingdom and other countries (such as
Netherlands) where heroin is available legally with proper prescription by appropriate physician, the
drug is administered by intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous or intrathecal (directly into
cerebrospinal fluid or CSF in the spinal cord) route.
The medical use of heroin is in acute pain conditions such as due to severe physical
trauma/injury, post-surgical pain, myocardial infarction (commonly known as heart attack) and chronic
painful conditions such as cancer pains of end stage cancer (which are very severe and cannot be
managed by conventional pain medications), pain of some terminal illnesses. Heroin is used in severe
painful conditions, which cannot be treated (pain reduction) with conventional pain killers such as
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or other pain medications. In countries where heroin
is not available legally, morphine is used in those conditions mentioned above.
Heroin is also used as maintenance drug among heroin addicts (long-term intravenous heroin
addicts), when all treatment modalities for de-addiction fail, as a last resort. Although many
(especially those who follow zero tolerance drug policy) do not accept the use of Heroin for addicts.
Use (as prescription medication under strict medical supervision) of heroin among heroin addicts is
superior to use of methadone for health and social wellbeing of chronic heroin addicts. There are still a
number of risks associated with Heroin use, even if it is used to help someone to kick their addiction
to another opiate. Unlike other forms of addiction, Heroin withdrawals can be excruciatingly painful,
and lead to some severe health problems. Generally the only way to alleviate these symptoms and
make quitting Heroin bearable is to seek addiction treatment. Treatment centers provide addicts with a
comfortable environment to kick their habit without any risk of relapsing. They also provide assistance
for several other substance addictions aside from Heroin, making it a great choice for someone
dependent on multiple substances.
Repeated heroin use changes the physical structure and physiology of the brain, creating longterm imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed. Studies have shown
some deterioration of the brains white matter due to heroin use, which may affect decision-making
abilities, the ability to regulate behavior, and responses to stressful situations. Heroin also produces
profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance occurs when more and more of the
drug is required to achieve the same effects. With physical dependence, the body adapts to the
presence of the drug and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly. Withdrawal may occur
within a few hours after the last time the drug is taken. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness,
muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (cold turkey),
and leg movements. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 2448 hours after the last dose of
heroin and subside after about a week. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal signs
for many months. Finally, repeated heroin use often results in addictiona chronic relapsing disease
that goes beyond physical dependence and is characterized by uncontrollable drug-seeking no matter

the consequences. Heroin is extremely addictive no matter how it is administered, although routes of
administration that allow it to reach the brain the fastest (i.e., injection and smoking) increase the risk
of addiction. Once a person becomes addicted to heroin, seeking and using the drug becomes their
primary purpose in life.

According to United Nations (UN) estimation the number of heroin (diacetylmorphine) user
worldwide is in between 15 to 21 million, out of total more than 50 million users of synthetic drugs.
The users of heroin ranges from age 14 to 65 years of age. We all are aware about the
abuse/misuse/addiction of heroin, if you or a loved one are abusing heroin, the next step is to
research drug rehab centers such as drugdetoxflorida.org, but heroin has many medical uses also and
due to this reason many countries such as UK; heroin is available as controlled prescription drug.
Heroin is used medical practice, where

help is easily available.

Source: http://healthyone.org/medical-uses-of-heroin/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/