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Who's Really Using Heroin?

6.25 million Americans have used heroin at least once, and 902,000 Americans use heroin annually.

80% of heroin users started with the misuse of opioids.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a highly potent opiate made from the seedpods of the poppy plant, which is found most commonly in Burma, Thailand, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Mexico. Like all other opiates, it was designed to reduce pain and increase sleep. It was first manufactured by an English chemist in 1874. However, it was not sold commercially until 1898 when the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company (yes, the same company that sells aspirin and Coppertone sunscreen) picked up the production. Bayer then exported it to over 23 countries as a treatment for tuberculosis (to ease pain and soothe painful breathing) and as a remedy for morphine addiction (even though heroin comes from the same poppy plant as morphine). After addiction and overdose rates grew, the Heroin Act of 1924 was passed in the U.S. making heroin completely illegal, including for medical purposes.

Common Forms

White or brown tinted powder
Black tar that is either sticky or hard and has to be melted down to inject

Powder forms

Black tar

How is Heroin Consumed?

Snorted as a powder
Injected
Smoked

Snorted

Injected

Smoked

The High

Heroin is known for its euphoric effects - extreme feelings of happiness. People who use heroin describe a “rush” of blissful feelings. Heroin achieves this high by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which then immediately release an unnatural amount of dopamine, causing feelings of pain relief and euphoria, or a dream-like state. Often, users go in and out of consciousness because breathing is slowed down so much. This is also what makes overdosing so common and possible for even first timers.

Heroin + the Body

Short Term Effects

Pinpoint pupils
Flushed or red skin
Nausea, vomiting
Constipation
Dry mouth
Itching
Seizures

Long Term Effects

Tolerance - a condition in which higher doses of a substance are required to produce the same effect achieved during initial use, which often leads to dependence, which comes with withdrawal symptoms, which can include flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, and irritability, shortly after the high wears off
Depression, which often causes the cravings for more
Sexual dysfunction - inability to get an erection or orgasm, disruption of menstrual cycle and production of sperm
Destruction of white matter in the brain where behavior, decisions, and learning happen
Reduced immune system function, making it hard for the body to fight infections
Damage to blood vessels, kidneys, intestines, and lungs
Sleep apnea, or what sounds like heavy snoring and may actually slow down breathing to a deadly rate
Hemorrhoids or anal bleeding

Did You Know?

The term “junky” was first applied to heroin users in the 1920s. As heroin’s legal status began changing, addicts in New York City began collecting and selling scrap metal to support themselves and their habit. They spent their days scavenging.

Almost ¼ of heroin users become addicted.

Did You Know?

Nearly half of young people who inject heroin reported abusing prescription opioids before starting to use heroin.
Heroin use increases the risk of getting HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C. Remember, not only injection drug users are susceptible, these infections are also common among those who have sex with injection drug users.