Heroin | Define Heroin at Dictionary.com heroin noun, Pharmacology. 1. a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C 21 H 23 NO 5 , derived from morphine, formerly used as an analgesic and sedative: manufacture and importation of heroin are now controlled by federal law in the U.S. because of the danger of addiction. Expand Greek 1895-1900 1895-1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, stem of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in 2; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates Can be confused Examples from the Web for heroin Expand Contemporary Examples heroin overdose deaths from 2010 to 2012 increased in every single subgroup examined in the CDC report. Behind the Krokodil Panic Abby Haglage November 6, 2013 When Mr.

Cohen was asked by the coroner whether Peaches had been a heroin addict, he replied, "Yes." Legal, Regulated Heroin Could Have Saved Philip Seymour Hoffman Valerie Vande Panne February 17, 2014 Historical Examples She lives in the inner city, where she cares for infants born of mothers who are heroin addicts. Habits that Handicap Charles B. Towns In each case the victim was a heroin fiend and took an overdose. The Opium Monopoly Ellen Newbold La Motte British Dictionary definitions for heroin Expand noun 1. a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C21H23NO5 Technical names diamorphine, diacetylmorphine Word Origin C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from hero, referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for heroin Expand n. 1898, from German Heroin, coined 1898 as trademark registered by Friedrich Bayer & Co. for their morphine substitute, traditionally from Greek heros (see hero (n.1)) because of the euphoric feeling the drug provides, but no evidence for this seems to have been found so far. A new hypnotic, to which the name of "heroin" has been given, has been tried in the medical clinic of Professor Gerhardt in Berlin. ["The Lancet," Dec. 3, 1898] Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Street Names and Nicknames for Heroin - Heroin Rehab Help Heroin Rehab Help Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug. While pharmaceutical-grade heroin (called diamorphine) continues to be used in other parts of the world, all heroin in the U.S.

is illegally manufactured — synthesized from morphine for illicit, recreational use. Heroin produces euphoria, drowsiness, and pain relief. There are many varieties of heroin, which vary based on the different geographic locations in which they are produced and from which region of the country they are made available for street purchase. These variations include white, brown, and black tar heroin.1 All forms of heroin are typically injected, snorted, or smoked. 1 In 2011, estimates placed more than 4 million people in the United States as having ever tried heroin, with close to 23% of these users developing an addiction to the powerful opioid.1 There is also a connection between prescription opioid abuse and eventual heroin use. Those who have engaged in nonmedical use of opioid painkillers are at least 3 times more likely to use heroin than the general population,2 and almost 50% of heroin users report having previously abused painkillers.1 Heroin is often chosen as an alternative to painkillers because it is easy to access and cheaper. Heroin addiction is often treated with an integrated approach, using both pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy. Medications to treat heroin addiction are primarily prescribed to: Ease withdrawal symptoms.

Minimize the risk of relapse. Increase retention in recovery programs. Some medications include:3 Methadone: Methadone acts on the same receptors as heroin. Its closely monitored use helps to manage cravings and prevent opiate withdrawal without eliciting the extreme highs and lows that heroin does. Buprenorphine: Like methadone, it acts on the opioid receptors in the brain and reduces heroin cravings. Naltrexone: Naltrexone blocks the effects of heroin and doesn’t have addictive properties. It is available in tablet form and as a long-acting injection that can be given once a month to increase compliance. Behavioral treatments that have shown efficacy in treating heroin addiction are contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Contingency management uses a reward system for positive, abstinent behaviors. CBT examines the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and works to rectify negative beliefs about oneself. 3 Besides being highly addictive, heroin is extremely dangerous ­­— placing those who abuse it in life-threatening situations due to the profound respiratory depression it causes. Long-term heroin use leads to tolerance, or the need for a higher dose in order to feel the desired effects.

Those who steadily increase their heroin use to overcome this tolerance place themselves at risk of overdose, coma, and eventual death.1 In addition to respiratory depression, there are a number of other harmful potential outcomes specifically associated with using non-sterile needles for injectable routes of heroin administration (intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous). These include:4 Collapsed veins. Infection of heart lining or valves. Hepatitis. Carne. Carga. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list because the names of heroin differ by country and geographical region. Of course, these slang terms change frequently — drug users and dealers must constantly come up with new street names in efforts to thwart the authorities.

Common Names for Heroin Mixed with Other Drugs Heroin can be combined with a number of other drugs, including marijuana, LSD, cocaine, crack, cold medicine, Ecstasy, morphine, and methamphetamines to create combinations known as “chocolate chip cookies,” “woo-woo,” “beast,” “boy-girl,” “snowball,” “cheese,” “Cotton Brothers,” “New Jack Swing,” “LBJ,” and “meth speed ball.” Below are some additional potential combinations, along with common street designations:5 Heroin and marijuana: A-bomb or atom bomb. Heroin and Xanax: Chocolate bars. Heroin and crack cocaine: Dragon rock, Primo. Heroin and cocaine: Dynamite. Heroin and LSD: Neon nod. Heroin and methamphetamine: Screwball. When used alone, heroin can have deadly consequences, but when combined with other drugs, the risk of adverse effects and overdose increases greatly. Heroin addiction often occurs in conjunction with a simultaneous addiction to another substance, such as: Stimulants. Marijuana.

Benzodiazepines.4 Heroin users may take benzodiazepines, which are prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, to intensify the opioid effects or to ease unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.3 The two most common concurrently abused drugs associated with heroin overdose are alcohol and benzodiazepines.6 All three substances are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and all are capable of slowing both breathing and heart rate. When two CNS depressants are combined, the heart and respiratory rate can slow to a lethal degree — leading to coma and death. Mixing heroin with other drugs can have devastating consequences, so it’s important to act fast. If you or someone you know is abusing heroin or mixing it with other drugs, please call our helpline at 1-888-744-0789 for information on treatment programs that can help with concurrent addictions. Our treatment support staff are here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Why Is It Important to Know Heroin Slang Terms? As a concerned parent or loved one, it’s important to know the slang terms for heroin because your addicted loved one may use street names to avoid detection when talking to friends about an illegal opioid.

If you are educated on and aware of the different names for heroin, then you’ll be more equipped to catch your loved one’s heroin abuse before it leads to dependence and addiction. Having open communication is key to keeping your loved one healthy and drug-free. Many people, especially teenagers, are unaware of the potential dangers of heroin, so make sure you talk to him or her about the harmful consequences of not only heroin, but all drugs. The purity and, consequently, the relative toxicity of today’s heroin seems to be increasing, so people no longer have to use a needle to get high. They can now snort it or smoke it to experience its potent effects. This decreased perception of heroin as an injection-only drug may contribute to the increase in heroin use among teens. As a drug with similar effects to widely prescribed opioid medications, many teens may have begun to believe that heroin is not harmful or addictive, so it may be especially important for parents today to talk to their children before heroin use begins or gets out of control. Signs of Heroin Use When detecting heroin abuse, knowing the street names isn’t always enough. Identifying a potential addiction requires knowledge of the common signs and symptoms of abuse. These signs may include:3 Depressed mood.

Nasal ulcerations. Injuries from accidents or violence. At first, it may be difficult to come to terms with these signs if you spot them in yourself or someone you love. But acceptance and change can only come with acknowledgement of the problem. If someone you love exhibits any number of these signs and you suspect heroin abuse, please call our helpline at 1-888-744-0789 to speak to a treatment support team member about recovery options that can help you overcome this addiction. Health Effects of Heroin Persistent heroin use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and full-blown addiction. Long-term heroin abuse can be extremely harmful to the user’s health, including: Increased risk of:3 Kidney problems. 7 Withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped. 3 When heroin is cut with different additives on the street, other health problems may arise. The additives typically don’t dissolve well and end up causing inflammation or clots in blood vessels that deliver blood to the kidneys, brain, liver, or lungs. As a result, cell death and infection can occur.7 Heroin use provides an intense rush that cannot be experienced naturally, which makes the drug so attractive.

However, once the high goes away, the user is left with many uncomfortable health effects. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, they include the following:1 Dry mouth Delirium. Coma. If you think someone is in experiencing a heroin overdose, don’t hesitate: Call 911 immediately and provide them with as much information as you can about the dose and when heroin was last taken. Finding Heroin Treatment Centers If you want to find a heroin rehab center, you may be wondering what to expect. The treatment process typically entails the following: Intake evaluation: A certified mental health professional will assess the severity of your addiction and your physical and mental health status. This will ensure that the treatment team can create an individualized treatment plan for you. Detoxification: Heroin withdrawal can be unpleasant and painful. A recovery center will be able to provide you with medically supervised detoxification, which will create a more comfortable environment for you and alleviate unwanted symptoms. Psychiatric treatment: Heroin addiction often co-occurs with mental health issues. It’s important that the rehab you choose provides you with the appropriate comprehensive treatment designed to address any problems you experience.

Therapy and counseling: Therapy and group counseling will provide you with the necessary coping skills needed for stressful and triggering situations. Medical maintenance: The treatment team may prescribe you medication to be used in combination with behavioral therapy. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are all beneficial medications that help reduce cravings and help prevent relapse. Family involvement: Many rehabs will provide you with family counseling, in addition to group and individual therapy. Family therapy can help to improve communication and repair broken relationships. There are different types of heroin addiction treatment. One is not better than the other; the best place for you depends on your individual needs and addiction. Traditional inpatient treatment : During inpatient treatment, you live at the facility for the duration of your program, which can range from 30 to 90 days, or longer if necessary. This option is beneficial for those who want to escape their heroin-using environments and focus solely on recovery. Outpatient treatment : For those who can’t neglect home, school, or work obligations, outpatient treatment allows you to live at home while attending a recovery program that works with your schedule.

Luxury treatment : Luxury facilities have all of the services that traditional inpatient centers do, but with added amenities that more closely resemble a vacation resort. These amenities could include: Spa treatments. Horseback riding. Yoga. Executive treatment : These inpatient facilities cater to working professionals, such as CEOs and high-profile businesspeople. They provide the individual with internet access, private phones, and work rooms. This allows the patient to continue working while receiving heroin addiction treatment. Heroin Rehab Help Many heroin treatment programs will begin with a structured and supervised period of detoxification. After that, a combination of behavioral therapies and medications may be used to prevent relapse and help you live drug-free and productive lives. Whether it’s inpatient or outpatient , luxury or standard, all types of substance abuse treatment can be highly beneficial. If you’re looking for a private, luxury, or executive treatment experience, we can help you find the best exclusive heroin rehab center. Please call 1-888-744-0789 and start your recovery today. Sources Heroin | definition of heroin by Medical dictionary Heroin | definition of heroin by Medical dictionary heroin [her´o-in] a highly addictive narcotic derived from morphine .

Because of its vulnerability to abuse, its medicinal use and sale are prohibited in the United States and many other countries. (See drug abuse.) Called also diacetylmorphine . her·o·in (H), (her'ō-in), An alkaloid, prepared from morphine by acetylation; rapidly metabolized to morphine in the body; formerly used for the relief of cough. Except for research, its use in the U.S. is prohibited by federal law because of its potential for abuse. [trade name (it was marketed as the "heroine" of analgesic drugs)] heroin /her·o·in/ (her´o-in) diacetylmorphine ; a highly addictive morphine derivative; the importation of heroin and its salts into the United States, as well as its use in medicine, is illegal. heroin [her′ō·in] Etymology: Ger, heroine, originally trademark for diacetylmorphine a morphine-like drug with no currently acceptable medical use in the United States. Heroin is included in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Like other opium alkaloids, it can produce analgesia, respiratory depression, GI spasm, and physical dependence. It produces its major effects on the central nervous system and bowel and alters the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Heroin, which loses much of its analgesic power when taken orally, is more powerful than morphine and acts more rapidly. Repeated use of this drug produces tolerance to most of the acute opioid effects; physical dependence develops concurrently with tolerance. Withdrawal from heroin after relatively few exposures commonly produces acute abstinence syndrome. Withdrawal signs are usually observed shortly before the next planned dose and commonly include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and craving for another dose. Other withdrawal signs that may appear 8 to 15 hours after the last dose include lacrimation, perspiration, yawning, and restless sleep. On awakening from such sleep the severely addicted heroin user may experience withdrawal signs, such as vomiting, pain in the bones, diarrhea, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse. Withdrawal signs usually peak at between 36 and 48 hours and gradually subside during the following 10 days.

Methadone is commonly used as a substitute drug in the treatment of heroin addiction (methadone maintenance therapy). Also called diacetylmorphine . heroin A highly addictive semisynthetic opioid synthesised from morphine, which is associated with myriad pathologies from different organ systems. Pharmacologic effects Blocks severe, constant pain; suppresses cough; respiratory sedative. Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis, especially affecting the right side and the tricuspid valve. Constipation. Liver Chronic, nonspecific portal triaditis, chronic active hepatitis with septal fibrosis, piecemeal necrosis, lobular inflammation, chronic persistent hepatitis and nonspecific hepatitis—liver hepatitis HBV, HCV, HDV. Lungs Aspiration pneumonia; pulmonary oedema due to direct heroin toxicity, affecting pulmonary capillaries or myocardium; hypoxic endothelial damage; congestive heart failure; central vasomotor effect (increased protein in oedema fluid); talc granulomas; increased risk of tuberculosis. Skin Track marks, circular scars with necrotic ulcers.

Street terms Alquitran, alquitranat, antifreeze, aries, beast, Belushi, big H, black tar, blanca, blanco, bombido, bonita, boy, bozo, brea, broja, brown, brown sugar, caballo, caca, calbo, carga, chapopote, chatarra, chicle, China White (white heroin or fentanyl), chiva, cotics, crank, crap, cura, dirt, DOA, dope, Dr Feelgood, dust, dynamite, dyno, el diablo, estuffa, ferry dust, furra, gallup, gato, george, girl, glass, gold, golpe, goma, good, good horse, H, H&C, HRN, hache, hard, harry, hazel, heaven, henry, hera, heroina, hombre, horsebite, jeeJee, joharito, joy, junco, junk, karachi, la buena, Mayo, Mexican, mudmurotugora, nanoo, perica, perico, piedra, polvo, poppy, powder, quill, ready rock, red, shit

, shoot, shoot-up, skag, skid, smack, spoon, stuff, TNT tar, tecata, tigre, tigre de blanco, tigre de Norte, tongs, vidrio, white, wings, witch, zoquete.

Related Terms Agua de change—liquid heroin administered nasally. Bindle—a small packet of drug powder (e.g., heroin). Chasing the dragon or chasing the tiger—to smoke heroin. Coffee—brown heroin. P-dope—20–30% pure heroin. Punk rocker—heroin mixed with cocaine, crack, MDMA (ecstasy), or with LSD and marijuana. Shabanging—heroin dissolved in liquid and taken through the nose using a nasal spray bottle. Using monkey water—shabanging heroin/cocaine, diacetylmorphine/cocaine. heroin Diacetyl morphine Substance abuse A semisynthetic narcotic Pharmacologic effects Blocks severe, constant pain, ↓ cough; respiratory sedative Cardiovascular S aureus endocarditis, especially right-sided and tricuspid valve Liver Hepatitis–HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV Lungs Pulmonary edema, due to direct heroin toxicity to capillaries or myocardium, hypoxic endothelial damage, CHF, central vasomotor effect–↑ protein in edema Skin Track marks, circular scars with necrotic ulcers. See Brown heroin, Opium .

her·o·in (H) (her'ō-in) An alkaloid prepared from morphine by acetylation; formerly used for the relief of cough. Except for research, its use in the United States is prohibited by federal law because of its potential for abuse. heroin See DIAMORPHINE . heroin a white crystalline powder, manufactured from morphine, used as a sedative and narcotic in the hydrochloride form. her·o·in (her'ō-in) An alkaloid, prepared from morphine by acetylation. Except for research, use in U.S. is prohibited by federal law because of its potential for abuse. heroin (her´ōin), n a highly addictive alkaloid prepared from morphine, previously used for cough relief. Use is prohibited by federal law because of its highly addictive properties and potential for abuse. heroin a highly addictive narcotic analgesic derived from morphine; called also diacetylmorphine, diamorphine. Its sale is prohibited in the USA and in many other countries of the world. Patient discussion about heroin Q. What are the effects of heroin addiction?

I just found out that one of my block mates has been using heroin to keep her up all night just so she can study for our exams. But I don't think it's doing her any good. I asked her if she wanted to talk about it, but she refused. I would like to help her get out of heroin addiction while she still can. A. oh one my favorite ones for sure. the up side is nice sleepy time, complete numbing of unwanted emotion & sense of well being. the bad side it's unhealthy. i don't know how much it's the dope or the cut but that shit is hell on the g.i. tract, liver & kidneys. prolonged use over numerous years of time really change the brains factory specs. in other words physical withdrawl hell say two, three, four weeks or so (varies among bodys) but the psychological aspect can be a long suffered challenge to deal with. let's just say in my opinion one would really have to come to an internal & external relationship with life that they decide that their time to go straight & stay straight has arrived. & i mean after the detoxification process mentioned, that the same conviction, the same resolve remains.

now on a happier note "have a good day"! hope i've helped... please review my question & help me too? Q. What are signs of withdrawl from heroin and their symptoms? A. heroin; is a opiate(derivative)-the other drugs in this catagory-are-morphine,codeine,heroin,dilaudid,percodan,percocet,demerol,darvon.and overdose wil cause stupor progressing to coma with respiratory depression,pupils become pinpoint and non-reactive-pulmonary edema and atrial fibrillation may ocur,convulsions may ocur also. long term use causes tolerance and physical dependence. suddan withdrawal of the drug produces symtoms such as shivering abdominal cramps, diarrhea,vomiting,sleeplessness,and restlessness. other problems include injection scars,skin abscesses,weight loss,and impotence. infections such as hepatitis-B and AIDS.---mrfoot56 Q. What are helpful tips for getting off heroin cold turky and with out some sort of treatment? A.

HI--WARNING---IF posible you should do it under a DR.s care or in a REHAB--and if you do manage to do it on your own--you still will need to join(NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS)for support.YOU CANNOT STAY SOBER BY YOURSELF.CHECK THIS WEB SIT(in the rooms.com)TALK TO PEOPLE ON LINE-THEY WILL HELP YOU----mrfoot56 Addiction Glossary of Terms – Drug and Alcohol Related Phrases – Defintions Abstinence: Refraining from further drug use Acetaminophens: Pain relievers (e.g. Tylenol) used to treat headaches, muscle aches, headaches, etc. ACOA: A support group for adult children of alcoholics Addict: A stigmatizing slang term for an individual with an addictive disorder Addiction Assessment: A way to determine the prevalence of chemical dependency in a client or the extent of one’s addiction (considers sociological, psychological, physical, and family factors, etc.) Addiction Treatment: Aims to reduce addiction Addiction: A repeated activity that continuously causes harm to oneself or others (e.g. a substance’s continuous presence in the bloodstream).

Addictive Personality: A trait/traits that develops in response to drug use Adverse Reaction: A detrimental reaction to a drug (not the desired reaction) Affinity: The strength a drug has that allows it to bind to its receptor Age at Onset: The age at which one’s addictive behavior began; an important factor in addiction assessment Agonist: A drug that activates a receptor in the brain Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A voluntary program concerned with helping alcoholics with recovery and continued sobriety Alkaloids: Plant-produced organic compounds that are the active ingredients in many drugs Amphetamine : A behavioral stimulant; also known as pep pills Analgesic: Medication designed to treat pain Antagonist: A substance that can nullify another’s effects (a drug that does not elicit a response) AOD: Stands for (Alcohol and Other Drugs) AODA: Stands for (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) Aspirin: An anti-inflammatory agent used for pain relief Barbiturate AddictionBarbiturate: A class of sedative-hypnotic compounds that are chemically related through a six-membered ring structure Benzodiazepine: A group of depressants used to induce sleep, prevent seizures, produce

 sedation, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, etc.

Bioavailability: A drug’s ability to enter the body Biofeedback: Signal use to control physiological processes that are normally involuntary Blood Alcohol Level/Concentration: The concentration level of alcohol in the bloodstream (expressed as a percentage by weight) Buprenorphine : A semi-synthetic partial agonist opioid derived from the baine; used for pain relief (e.g. Buprenex) Caffeine: An alkaloid that acts as a diuretic and a stimulant (found in coffee, tea, etc.) Carcinogen: A cancer-causing chemical agent Causal Factors: Various antecedent conditions that lead to individual chemical dependency problems (e.g.

conditioning, environment, genetics, etc.) Ceiling Effect: Occurs when the dosage of buprenorphine is increased beyond maximum levels and no differences result Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT): Promotes community-based substance abuse treatment services Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor (CCDC): Manages clients in chemical dependency programs to help with addiction recovery Cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS): Used to determine the severity of opioid withdrawal Codeine: The pain-relieving sedative agent contained in opium Codependence: A family member’s or friend’s suffering that is the result of the side effects of one’s addiction; it occurs when one takes responsibility for another’s actions and helps that person avoid facing his or her problems directly to maintain the relationship Cold Turkey: Abruptly quitting a drug by choice in order to try to quit long-term Compulsion: A physical behavior one repeats involuntarily that can be harmful (e.g., addiction) Conditioning: A behavioral change that results from an association between events Craving: A powerful and strong desire/urge for a substance; a symptom of the abnormal brain adaptions that result from addiction Crisis Intervention:

 The action taken when one’s usual coping resources pose a threat to individual or family functioning Cross-Dependence: The ability of one drug to prevent the withdrawal symptoms of one’s physical dependence on another Cross-Tolerance: Occurs when one’s tolerance for one drug results in their lessened response to another D.O.C.: This stands for drug of choice.

Denial: One’s failure to either admit or realize his or her addiction or to recognize and accept the harm it can cause Depressants: Sedatives that act on the CNS (e.g. to treat anxiety, high blood pressure, tension, etc.) Depression: One of the most frequent types of distress resulting from addiction; an ongoing state of sadness involving the inability to concentrate, inactivity, etc. Detoxification ( Detox ): The process of removing a toxic substance (e.g. a drug) from the body Disease Model: A theory of alcoholism that considers the addiction a disease rather than a social or psychological issue. Disease: A condition featuring medically significant symptoms that often have a known cause Doctor Shopping: Occurs when a patient requests care simultaneously from multiple physicians without their knowledge in order to receive higher amounts of medications Dopamine: A chemical produced naturally by the body; functions in the brain as a neurotransmitter to provide feelings of well-being Downers: Another name for depressants; these drugs can cause low moods (e.g.

alcohol , barbiturates, tranquilizers, etc.) Drug Misuse: One’s use of a drug not specifically recommended or prescribed when there are more practical alternatives; when drug use puts a user or others in danger Drug Tolerance: A progressive state of decreased responsiveness to a drug DSM-IV: The handbook most often used for diagnosing mental disorders Dual-Diagnosis: Mental patients ‘ condition when they are also addicted to any mind-altering drug DUI: Stands for (driving under influence) (of alcohol or another illicit substance that impairs one’s ability to drive) DWI: Stands for (driving while intoxicated) Dysphoria: The opposite of euphoria Dysynergy: An addiction’s tendency to cause another (e.g.

gateway drugs); an addicted person’s tendency to combine substances Enabling: Helping an addicted person do things they can or should be doing for themselves; causes disease progression Endogenous Opioid: The opioids that the body naturally produces in order to help us tolerate pain Endorphins: Opium-like substances produced by the brain; natural painkillers Ethanol: The beverage type (ethyl) of alcohol Euphoria: A pleasurable state of altered consciousness; one reason for the preference of one addictive behavior or substance over another Evidence-based Treatment: Scientifically validated treatment approaches Excipient: An inactive substance added to a drug to help bind the active ingredient Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): Birth defects/abnormalities in babies of alcoholic and alcohol abusing mothers Fetal Drug Syndrome (FDS): Birth defects/abnormalities in babies of drug abusing mothers Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Administers federal laws regarding, for example, the safety and effectiveness of drugs Habit: An outdated term for addiction/physical dependence Hallucinogen: Chemical substance that distorts perceptions, sometimes resulting in delusions or hallucinations Harm Reduction: Often the first stage of addiction treatment; reducing therapy instead of stopping the target behavior Heroin : A full opioid agonist Hydrocodone: An

 effective narcotic analgesic first developed as a cough medication Addiction Illegal/Illicit Drugs: Drugs that are illegal to produce, use, and sell Induction: Beginning phase of buprenorphine treatment Inflation: An addiction behavior’s tendency to slowly but surely increase in frequency Intoxication: A state of being drugged or poisoned; results from abuse of alcohol, barbiturates, toxic drugs, etc.

Intrinsic Activity: The extent to which a drug activates a receptor Legal Drugs: Everyday drugs not for medical use (e.g.

alcohol, caffeine, carbohydrates, nicotine, etc.) Maintenance: Stabilization of a patient who is indefinitely on a drug’s lowest effective dose Medical Model: An addiction theory that considers addiction a medical rather than social issue Metabolism (of drugs): The chemical and physical reactions carried out by the body to prepare for a drug’s execution Methadone : A long-acting opiate (synthetically produced) Monotherapy: Therapy using one drug Morphine: A major sedative/pain reliever found in opium Mu Agonist: A drug that stimulates physiologic activity on mu opioid cell receptors Mu Opioid Receptor: Nerve cell receptor that mediates opioid addiction and tolerance through drug-induced activity Naloxone: An opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioid agonists Naltrexone: A narcotic antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids Narcotic: A drug that produces sleep/drowsiness and that also relieves pain while being potentially dependence producing National Board of Addiction Examiners (NBAE): Provides certification for individuals in the addiction field Negative Reinforcement: Repetitive behavior to avoid something unpleasant Neurotransmitter: The natural chemical a neuron releases to communicate with or influence another Nicotine: Tobacco’s extremely toxic main active

 ingredient (causes negative CNS stimulation) Nonopioid: A drug that doesn ‘t activate opioid receptors Obsession: A mental behavior one repeats involuntarily that can be harmful (e.g., (needing) an alcoholic drink) Off-Label Use: Physician-approved use of a drug for uses other than those stated on its label Opiate: The poppy’s natural ingredients and their derivatives (opium, morphine, codeine , and heroin) Opioids: Opium’s synthetic form Opium: One of the most popular drugs; contained in muscle-relaxers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers Over-the-Counter Drugs: Legal non- prescription drugs Oxycodone: A medicine used for relief of moderate to high pain Painkillers: Analgesic substances (opioids and nonopioids) Partial Agonists: Bind to and activate receptors to a lesser degree than full agonists Pharmacology: Scientific branch dealing with the study of drugs and their actions Physical Dependence: The body’s physiologic adaptation to a substance Placebo: A substance with no pharmacological elements that may elicit a reaction because of a patient’s mindset Polysubstance Abuse: Concurrent abuse of more than one substance Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

 (PAWS): Withdrawal symptoms after initial acute withdrawal Precipitated Withdrawal Syndrome: Can occur when a patient on full-agonist opioids takes an antagonist Prescription Drugs: Only available by a physician’s order Psychedelic Drugs: Produce an intensely pleasurable mental state Psychoactive Drug: A mind- and behavior-altering substance Psychological Dependence: One’s compulsion to use a psychologically based drug for pleasure; may lead to drug misuse Psychopharmacology: The study of how drugs affect consciousness, mood, sensation, etc.

Psychotropic Drug: Any drug that acts on one’s psychic experience or mood behavior Rapid Detox: Anesthesia-assisted detoxification (injection of high doses of an opiate antagonist, followed by an infusion of naloxone) Receptor: Protein on a target cell’s membrane or cytoplasm with which a drug interacts Recidivism: One’s return to a negative behavior (relapse) (e.g. drug use) Recovery Rates: The percentage of addicted persons undergoing treatment who partake in abstinence in their first year Recovery: Reducing or ceasing substance abuse; often followed by one’s personal life being turned around by way of a supportive environment Relapse Prevention : A therapeutic process that interrupts believes and behaviors that result in lifestyle dysfunction Relapse: Symptom recurrence after a period of sobriety or drug use cessation Remission: A symptom-free period Reversed Tolerance: When a lower dose of a drug produces the same desired or observed effect that previously resulted only with higher dosages Screening: Measurement tool for the extent of one’s addiction (e.g., self-completion questionnaire/life-history assessment) Self-Help Group: Group of individuals dealing with similar issues that meets to support each other and share helpful information (e.g.

AA) Side Effects: Secondary effects of a drug; these are usually undesirable Societal Denial: Society’s denial of the historical value of drug-induced pleasure and euphoria Steroids : A group of cyclic, solid unsaturated alcohols (e.g.

cholesterol) Stimulant: Drugs that act on the CNS, resulting in alertness, excitation, and wakefulness Straight-Edge: A term for people who don ‘t use drugs Sublingual: Drugs that enter the blood through the membranes under the tongue Substance Abuse (Chemical Dependence): A maladaptive pattern of recurrent substance use that leads to impairment or distress that is clinically significant Substance Dependence: Synergism: The greater effect that results when one takes more than one drug simultaneously Synthetic: Not natural occurring Talc Granulomatosis: Talc: Dangerous substance used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals Therapeutic Community: A setting where people with similar issues can meet to support each other’s recovery Therapeutic Dependence: Patients ‘ tendency to demonstrate drug-seeking behaviors because they fear withdrawal symptoms Titration: The gradual adjustment of the amount of a drug Tolerance: Condition in which one must increase their use of a drug for it to have the same effect Toxicity: A degree of poisonousness Tranquilizers: A type of drug that can help relieve the symptoms of severe psychosis Trigger: Anything that results in psychological and then physical relapse Ups or Uppers: Drugs that produce a euphoric effect (e.g.

stimulants, amphetamines) Urge-Peak Cycle: Ongoing urge-peaks, usually followed by relapse Urge-Peak: A sudden, unpredictable increase in addiction cravings; they usually involve temporary mental unawareness (e.g. not realizing the amount of drinks one has had) Urges: Less powerful desires than cravings; can be suppressed by willpower User: Outdated term used to describe one who misuses alcohol or drugs Withdrawal Symptoms: Severe and excruciating physical and emotional symptoms that generally occur between 4 to 72 hours after opiate withdrawal (e.g., watery eyes, yawning, loss of appetite, panic, insomnia, vomiting, shaking, irritability, jitters, etc.) Withdrawal Syndrome: Combined reactions or behaviors that result from the abrupt cessation of a drug one is dependent on Withdrawal: The abrupt decrease in or removal of one’s regular dosage of a psychoactive substance Sponsor What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Home » Publications » Research Reports » Heroin » What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use? Heroin What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use?

Once heroin enters the brain, it is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opioid receptors. 11 Abusers typically report feeling a surge of pleasurable sensation—a “rush.” The intensity of the rush is a function of how much drug is taken and how rapidly the drug enters the brain and binds to the opioid receptors. With heroin, the rush is usually accompanied by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. After the initial effects, users usually will be drowsy for several hours; mental function is clouded; heart function slows; and breathing is also severely slowed, sometimes enough to be life-threatening. Slowed breathing can also lead to coma and permanent brain damage. 12 Opioids Act on Many Places in the Brain and Nervous System Opioids can depress breathing by changing neurochemical activity in the brain stem, where automatic body functions such as breathing and heart rate are controlled. Opioids can increase feelings of pleasure by altering activity in the limbic system, which controls emotions. Opioids can block pain messages transmitted through the spinal cord from the body.

This page was last updated November 2014 Contents Heroin - definition of heroin by The Free Dictionary Heroin - definition of heroin by The Free Dictionary (hĕr′ō-ĭn) n. A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C21H23NO5, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive illegal narcotic. Also called diacetylmorphine. [German, originally a trademark.] (ˈhɛrəʊɪn) n 1. (Pharmacology) a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C21H23NO5. Technical names: diamorphine or diacetylmorphine 2. (Recreational Drugs) a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C21H23NO5.

Technical names: diamorphine or diacetylmorphine [C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from hero, referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality] her•o•in (ˈhɛr oʊ ɪn) n. a white crystalline powder, C21H23NO5, derived from morphine, that is narcotic and addictive: manufacture or import is prohibited in the U.S. and other nations. [1895–1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, s. of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in 1; allegedly so called from feelings of power and euphoria that it induces] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Heroin | NIDA for Teens What is heroin? Also known as: Smack, Junk, H, Black tar, Ska, and Horse Heroin is a highly addictive drug made from morphine, a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance that is extracted from the resin of the seed pod of the opium poppy plant.

Heroin’s color and look depend on how it is made and what else it may be mixed with. It can be white or brown powder or a black, sticky substance called “black tar heroin.” Heroin is part of a class of drugs called opioids. Other opioids include codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydrocodone (e.g. Vicodin). These drugs are chemically similar to endorphins, which are opioid chemicals that the body makes naturally to relieve pain (such as after exercise). Because of where opioid receptors are located in the brain, heroin and other opioid drugs also activate the brain’s reward center, causing the “high” that puts the user at risk for addiction. In an overdose, it can also cause a person to stop breathing, which is often fatal. Heroin use and overdose deaths have dramatically increased over the last decade. This increase is related to the growing number of people misusing prescription opioid pain relievers like OxyContin and Vicodin; many who become addicted to those drugs switch to heroin because it produces similar effects but is cheaper and easier to get. In fact, nearly 80 percent of people who use heroin report having first misused prescription opioids.

To learn more about the different types of opioids, visit our Prescription Opioids Drug Facts page. 1 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. CBHSQ Report. Trends in Heroin Use in the United States: 2002 to 2013. Rockville, MD, April 2015. Available at: . How is heroin used? Heroin is mixed with water and injected with a needle. It can also be smoked or snorted. Users sometimes combine it with other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine (a “speedball”), which can be particularly dangerous and raise the risk of overdose. How does heroin affect the brain? When heroin enters the brain, it attaches to molecules on cells known as opioid receptors. These receptors are located in many areas of the brain and body, especially areas involved in the perception of pain and pleasure, as well as a part of the brain that regulates breathing. Short-term effects of heroin include a rush of good feelings and clouded thinking. These effects can last for a few hours, and during this time people feel drowsy, and their heart rate and breathing slow down.

When the drug wears off, people experience a depressed mood and often crave the drug to regain the good feelings. Regular heroin use changes the functioning of the brain. Using heroin repeatedly can result in: tolerance: more of the drug is needed to achieve the same “high” dependence: the need to continue use of the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms addiction: a devastating brain disease where, without proper treatment, people have trouble stopping using drugs even when they really want to and even after it causes terrible consequences to their health and other parts of their lives. Because of changes to how the brain functions after repeated drug use, people that are addicted crave the drug just to feel “normal.” Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs . And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs. What are the other effects of heroin? Opioid receptors are located not only in the brain, but also in the brain stem, which controls breathing and other basic life functions, as well as the spinal cord, lungs, and intestines. Thus, using heroin can result in a wide variety of physical problems, some of which may be very serious.

In 2011, more than 250,000 visits to a hospital emergency department involved heroin.2 Heroin use can cause: feeling sick to the stomach and throwing up severe itching coma—a deep state of unconsciousness dangerously slowed (or even stopped) breathing that can lead to overdose death increased risk of HIV and hepatitis (a liver disease) through shared needles In addition to the effects of the drug itself, heroin bought on the street often contains a mix of substances. Some of these substances can be toxic and can clog the blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidney, or brain. This can cause permanent damage to those organs. 2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. The DAWN Report, Highlights of the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN): Findings on Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits. Rockville, MD, February 22, 2013. Available at: . Can you get addicted to heroin? Yes, heroin can be very addictive .

The number of people receiving treatment for heroin use more than doubled from 277,000 in 2002 to 526,000 in 2013. Of the people who received treatment in 2013, 6,000 were teens and 128,000 were young adults.3 Heroin enters the brain quickly, causing a fast, intense high. Using heroin repeatedly can cause people to develop tolerance to the drug. This means they need to take more and more of it to get the same effect. Eventually they may need to keep taking the drug just to feel normal. It is estimated that about 23 percent of individuals who use heroin become addicted.4 For those who use heroin over and over again, addiction is more likely. Once a person becomes addicted to heroin, seeking and using the drug often becomes the main goal guiding their day to day behavior. When someone is addicted to heroin and stops using it, he or she may experience: muscle and bone pain kicking movements strong craving for the drug Fortunately, treatment can help an addicted person stop using and stay off heroin.

Medicines can help with cravings that occur after quitting, helping a person to take control of their health and their lives. 3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. .The CBHSQ Report. Trends in Heroin Use in the United States: 2002 to 2013. Rockville, MD, April 2015. Available at: . 4 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. Rockville, MD. 2014. Available at [PDF - 3.2MB] . Can you die if you use heroin? Yes, heroin slows, and sometimes stops, breathing, and this can kill a person—what is called a fatal overdose. Deaths from drug overdoses have been increasing since the early 1990s, fueled by increases in misuse of prescription opioids and, more recently, by a surge in heroin use.

In 2014, more than 10,000 people in the United States died from a heroin overdose—more than five times as many as in 2001 (1,800). For young people (ages 15 to 24), the increases are greater, with 1,300 young people dying from heroin overdose in 2014 as compared with 212 people who died in 2001 from a heroin overdose.5 Signs of a possible heroin overdose are: slow breathing shaking vomiting or gurgling noise People who are showing symptoms of overdose need medical assistance immediately. A drug called naloxone can be used to reverse the effects of heroin overdose and prevent death if it is given in time. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it binds to the opioid receptors and reverses/blocks the effects of the heroin (or other opioid drug). It is available in an easy-to-use nasal spray or autoinjector. It is often carried by emergency first responders, including police officers and EMTs.

In many states, doctors can now prescribe naloxone to people who use heroin or prescription opioids and to their family members, so that in the event of an overdose, it can be given immediately without waiting for emergency personnel (who may not arrive in time). Read more about how Naloxone Saves Lives . 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2014 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2015. Available at . How many teens use heroin? For the most recent statistics on heroin use among teens, see the results below from NIDA’s Monitoring the Future study. Swipe left or right to scroll. Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Heroin for 8th Graders, 10th Graders, and 12th Graders; 2016 (in percent)* Drug For more statistics on teen drug use, see NIDA’s Monitoring the Future study . What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now, please call: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide—they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by). If you need information on treatment and where you can find it, you can call: Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator at 1-800-662-HELP or visit . For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page . For more information on heroin Drug Facts

Question: Diacetylmorphine is the technical term for which drug?
Answer: Heroin