Heroin is a dangerous and powerful opiate derived from the poppy plant harvested in many areas of the world including Mexico, South America and Southeast Asia. Detoxification from heroin can take 3-7 days depending on the individual and how long they have been using it. This powdered, white, crystalline substance is used by injecting or smoking it. Once considered the drug of chronic urban dwellers only, it has found its way to adolescents as well as affluent segments of the population. Methadone, once considered a viable alterative substance for heroin recovery is now being discounted as a successful means of therapy.
Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste.
Most illicit heroin is distributed in powder form and may vary in color from white to dark brown because of impurities left from the manufacturing process or the presence of additives. Heroin is readily available in all major U.S. metropolitan areas but the sources and types of heroin available in parts of the United States vary from region to region. Most of the heroin found in the eastern United States is high-purity heroin from South America, while heroin found in the West is usually black tar heroin from Mexico. Transitions Recovery Program has been very successful helping people who use heroin to find lasting recovery from this addiction.