More important, and instructive, are the descriptions of what the subjects experienced from this first episode of drug use. They often describe a sense of relaxation, calmness, confidence, energy or exhilaration which was previously unknown. A number describe it as the first time they have ever slept soundly. It was almost as if it were curing some illness that they had. But often the initial heroin experience is not totally pleasurable.
Some people recount severe symptoms of vomiting, sweating and passing out.
Smoking also causes coughing and spluttering initially, but these undesirable symptoms do not always dissuade the user from further experimentation. Such symptoms usually subside as the acquired taste takes over. The second episode of drug use may occasionally be delayed for a number of years after the first 'taste' of narcotics. It may then be some time further on that the subject becomes addicted to the drug. For those who do become addicted, it is usually a matter of days or weeks to the second episode of drug use, and less than twelve months to the point of addiction.