Heroin is an illegal street drug that is extremely addictive and can lead to lasting health and emotional problems. The drug is derived from opium which is extracted from the seed pod of the opium poppy flower. Heroin is usually sold as a white or off-white powder, but can also be black in color, this type of heroin is known as black tar. Some of the street names for Heroin include Big H, H, Capital H, Boy, Poppy, Smack, Thunder, Train, White junk, Horse, Mexican Horse, Junk, Hell dust, Diesel, and China White.
Because most heroin is “cut” with other drugs or substances, people who are using the drug may not know the actual strength of the drug, and put them at risk of overdose or death. Heroin use can also lead to diseases which can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment such as HIV. Some of the street names for Heroin are
Some of the tell tale signs of heroin abuse are needle tracks or injection marks on arms, skin sores, constricted pupils, difficulty with visual focus, shallow breathing, and dry mouth. As the addiction to heroin progresses, users may develop a pale, or sickly appearance. A person under the influence of heroin may appear drowsy or confused, or even display signs of giddiness or euphoria for no apparent reason. Slurred speech and apathy may also be apparent.
Chronic abuse of heroin leads to addiction, and both physical and mental dependence on the drug. When an abuser reduces or stops use of the drug suddenly, they can experience severe withdrawal symptoms of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can occur as early as a few hours after the last drug dose and include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps. Abusers will also experience a severe craving for the drug. Most withdrawal symptoms peak somewhere between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week; unfortunately some abusers can even show withdrawal symptoms for months
