What is Heroin Addiction?

Like opium and morphine, heroin or “smack” is a highly addictive, illegal drug which is used by millions of drug addicts around the world especially those who are unable to control the urge to continue using the drug, knowing the impending terror of facing them with the associated horror of intense withdrawal symptoms. Heroin is made from the resin of poppy plants whereby the sap like opium is first removed from the pod of the poppy flower which is then refined into morphine and further condensed into different forms of heroin.

When consumed, heroin causes a surge of sensations or “rush” which is accompanied by warm feelings of the skin and a dry mouth, the initial reactions of which can include vomiting and severe itching. Drowsiness soon appears after the initial effects fade away as the breathing and heart rate slow down and after the effects of the drug have decreased, the addicts’ body starts demanding more. When the additional “fix” or dose is not consumed the body starts experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as extreme physical and mental symptoms such as restlessness, bone aches and pains, diarrhea, severe discomfort and vomiting. However, the intense “high” only lasts for few minutes, and with repeated usage, the addict needs to increase the amount of the drug simply to feel “normal or sane”.

Heroin is mostly injected which increases the risk of infectious diseases such as AIDS and other life threatening ailments such as hepatitis C2 or liver disease (due to sharing of needles), respiratory illnesses, depression, insomnia and the inability to achieve orgasm by causing long term impotence in men and disturbance of the menstrual cycles of women. In its purest form, it is a fine white powder but is more often found to be rose gray, brown or black in color is caused by additives such as sugar, caffeine and other substances that are used to dilute it.

More importantly, street heroin is sometimes “cut” with strychnine or other poisons which do not fully dissolve and can clog the blood vessels that lead to the liver, kidneys or brain when injected into the body. Also, people buying heroin on the streets face increasing chances of overdose since the actual strength of the drug in the particular packet can never be definitely known and can further the chances of infection and destruction of the vital organs. It is either injected, sniffed or smoked and during the first time of using, the addict can feel heightened extroversion, ease in communication with others and an increase in sexual performance which, however, does not last long. Long term impact can break down the immune system leaving one extremely thin, weak, bony and eventually dead.

In the US, opiates such as heroin account for more than 18 per cent of the total admissions for drug and alcohol treatment. Afghanistan accounts for more than 90 per cent of the world’s opium supply and while people believe that heroin is a super drug, research shows that it rapidly increases the chances of losing confidence, jobs, friends and family even as lying and stealing become habitual patterns of the personality of the addict. Ironically, the “heroin addict look”-blank expressions, waxy complexion, dark circles under the eyes, sunken cheeks, excessive thinness –was promoted in fashion circles as “chic” even though the fashion photographer who popularized the “heroin chic look”, David Sorrenti, died due to a heroin overdose at the tender age of 20.