Table of Contents:
[
General /
Adrenergic /
Amphetamine
]
[
Ergogenic /
Hormones /
Steroids
]
[
Over the Counter /
Recreational
]
[ Related / Drugs
Interactive Module ]
[ Alcohol
/ Caffeine / Tobacco
]
[ Cocaine / Marijuana
/ Heroin ]
What is the history of heroin use?
- Heroin (diacetylmorphine) was first prepared in Germany
in 1874. Heroin came from the German word Heroisch "heroic."
- Dr. Heinrich Dreser (of the Bayer Company) introduced
heroin into medicine in 1898, as a cough suppressant and
pain reliever. Heroin was considered a safe substitute for
morphine. It took many years to realize that heroin is one
of the most dangerous of the addicting drugs.
What are the patterns of heroin use in the United States?
Heroin is currently classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA.
Three main supply sources of illicit opiate drug traffic are
located in Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and Mexico.
- From 1970 through 1976 most of heroin reaching the United
States originated from the Golden Triangle region of Southeast
Asia, which included parts of Burma, Thailand and Laos
- From 1975 to 1980 the major heroin supply came from opium
poppies grown in Mexico. Changes in the political climate
of the different regions producing the opium poppy have
shifted the main supply source back to the Golden Triangle.
For more information visit the following web sites:
What is the chemistry of heroin?
Heroin manufacture begins with the extraction of crude opium
and the isolation of the morphine content. An acetylating agent
such as acetic anhydride is used to convert the morphine to
diacetylmorphine (heroin). Pure heroin is a white solid, has
a bitter taste and melts at 173 ºC. Heroin hydrochloride melts
at 243 to 244 ºC. Other colors such as brown heroin result from
the presence of diluting substances or other adulterants. By
the time heroin is sold to its users its purity may be low as
3% or as high as 60%. Talc, flour and cornstarch have been used
to dilute or "cut" heroin.
Mannitol is sometimes added for its laxative effect.
Heroin can also be laced with fentanyl (Sublimaze). Fentanyl
is a very potent narcotic analgesic about 200 times more potent
than morphine. The combination of heroin and fentanyl is known
as "Tango" and "Cash" or "Goodfellas"
and can be extremely dangerous and fatal due to its high potency.
Heroin is sometimes diluted with quinine, which
is a bitter substance to hide the fact that the heroin content
has been reduced. Part of the "flash" experience from
the direct injection of heroin is caused by quinine. Quinine
is an irritant and causes vascular damage , disturbances in
the heart beat, depressed respiration, coma and death from respiratory
arrest. The direct injection of heroin into the blood stream
can result in the development of emboli (blood clots) in the
lungs. Heroin has many street names such as "horse",
"junk" and "smack." The combination of heroin
and cocaine is called speedballing. Street heroin addicts, to
provide relief from the unpleasant withdrawal effects of heroin
abstinence, use cocaine. Possession, sale and distribution of
heroin are illegal in the United States.
What are the physiological and psychological effects
of heroin use?
Addiction to heroin can be explained in two stages; 1) acquisition
2) maintenance or reinforcement. In the acquisition stage, euphoria
and positive effects occur and these feelings encourage continued
use. Maintenance occurs with psychological dependence. The heroin
addict is then compelled to continue taking the drug to avoid
severe withdrawal effects.
One grain of heroin, or about 65 milligrams taken
over a 2-week period on a daily basis, is usually sufficient
to make the user physically dependent on heroin. If the drug
is abruptly withdrawn, a crisis called the "withdrawal
syndrome" occurs.
A single dose of heroin lasts about 4 to 6 hours.
This is enough for the addict to "get straight" or
relieve the withdrawal symptoms called "dope sickness."
Withdrawal symptoms begin with a runny nose, tears and minor
stomach cramps. Between 12 and 48 hours after the last dose
there is a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal
cramps, chills and fever goose pimples. Between 2 to 4 days
later the individual continues to experience the same symptoms
as well as aching bones and muscles and powerful muscle spasms,
loss of appetite. Later symptoms include raised blood pressure,
fever, nausea, increased intensity of preceding symptoms, curled
up position, vomiting, diarrhea and increased blood sugar.
What are the therapeutic uses of heroin?
Heroin is not approved for any clinical use in the United States.
Prior to the Harrison Narcotics Act (1913), heroin was used
by the medical profession to treat heroin addicts. Heroin is
banned by the NCAA.
