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Heroin comes in different forms, so its appearance can vary. It can look like a brown, off-white, or white powder, a brown sticky substance, or a black lump of coal. There are different ways to use heroin, including snorting it, smoking it, and injecting it. Many people associate injection with more dangerous effects, but the other forms of use are also dangerous themselves and are often stepping stones to injection-based heroin use.
Heroin is associated with many dangerous effects, both in the short term and the long term. It’s highly addictive, illegal, and poses a high risk of overdose. Heroin also causes many detrimental effects to the mind and body. There are other indirect risks associated with the sharing of needles.
Seeing signs of heroin use in yourself or a loved one can be frightening. There is good reason to be concerned, but there is also hope. Getting off heroin is challenging, yet possible. Many treatment options are available, but professional intervention and family support are required.
Heroin is a dangerous and highly addictive opiate drug derived from the opium poppy plant. It can come in different forms and is commonly snorted, injected, or smoked. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified heroin as a Schedule I controlled substance—this category recognizes the most addictive drugs available. [1]
There is no approved medicinal use for heroin. Therefore, it is not available by prescription from a health care provider. Possessing, using, or selling this drug in any form is a felony.
Heroin’s appearance can vary widely. It’s impossible to identify heroin accurately without first learning about the different types of heroin. It’s important to note that all forms of heroin are equally dangerous. There is no safe or legal use of heroin, no matter its form.
Powdered heroin can come in different colors. It can be a pure white powder, a dark brown powder, or a brownish powder. An off-white color might be a sign of impurities, such as the presence of another drug or substance. Even pure white heroin might be cut with additives like powdered milk or sugar, for example.
The powder form of heroin is typically snorted. Some people, especially young users, mistakenly think that powdered heroin is less dangerous or addictive. This is a serious misconception that can lead to dire consequences.
The label “black tar heroin” can be deceptive. This form of heroin might be black, but it can also be dark brown. As its name implies, it can also be a thick, sticky substance like tar, but it can also be hard, like a rock or a lump of coal.
Black tar heroin can be smoked or injected. There is the misconception that smoking heroin is safer than injecting it, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Many times, people who smoke heroin or snort it “graduate” to injecting heroin in an attempt to get a quicker or stronger high. [2]
When looking for signs of heroin use, it’s important to realize that heroin can resemble a lot of other drugs and substances. It also comes in a variety of colors and forms, which could make accurate identification challenging. Other signs of heroin use could be more reliable indicators:
Heroin changes the structure of the brain. It’s not surprising that this potent substance can alter a person’s behavior. There could be some behavioral signs of drug use to look for, especially in young people. These behavior-based signs of heroin use may include: [3]
None of these signs alone necessarily indicates drug use. Combined with other factors, they might suggest a problem.
Heroin can be a very dangerous drug for a variety of reasons. As a potent opioid, heroin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. These types of drugs carry a high risk of severe adverse effects such as slowed breathing, coma, or death.
Heroin is considered a fast-acting opioid. [4] It quickly binds to opioid receptors in the brain and floods the brain with large amounts of dopamine. This results in a rush of pleasurable sensations, which increases heroin’s addictive properties.
Heroin is often cut with other substances, including other illicit drugs like fentanyl, without the user’s knowledge. A person smoking heroin might not know the dose of heroin they’re getting or be aware that they’re taking a combination of drugs. Mixing heroin with other drugs can increase the risk of a fatal overdose.
Addiction and overdose are often the primary concerns with heroin use, and for good reason. There are other chronic physical and mental health effects associated directly or indirectly with using opioid drugs like heroin, including: [5]
Because of its potency and rapid effects, heroin is one of the most addictive drugs available.[6] If you’re concerned that you or a loved one is addicted to heroin, there are some signs you can look for:
Whether you’ve found evidence of heroin or not, if your loved one is demonstrating some of the symptoms listed above, they may have a substance use disorder. This condition requires prompt treatment.
One of the biggest indicators of heroin addiction or dependency is the presence of withdrawal symptoms, such as: [7]
If you suspect a loved one has a heroin addiction, it’s important to reach out for professional assistance. It’s likely the addiction has a powerful grip on the person, and it may take medical detox to release its hold. Evidence-based treatments, including mental health therapy and medication-assisted treatment, are available to help your loved one regain control of their life.
Heroin addiction is a type of opioid use disorder. It’s not the mark of someone with bad intentions. An addicted person isn’t to blame, but they do need help. Heroin detox typically requires professional intervention. The sooner you reach out for help, the better the chance of recovery.
Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.
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Heroin was originally marketed by Bayer in the late 19th century as a cough suppressant and non-addictive alternative to morphine, including for conditions like tuberculosis and bronchitis. It was first introduced by the German company Bayer.
You can’t tell heroin is laced with fentanyl by looking at it or smelling it. However, fentanyl test strips are a reliable way to detect the presence of fentanyl in heroin.
Opioid agonists like methadone and buprenorphine are often used to treat heroin dependency and other types of opioid use disorder. These substances are only available by prescription, and a health care professional must carefully monitor their use.
[1] Drug scheduling. DEA. (n.d.-a). https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[2] Heroin fast facts. (n.d.-d). https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3843/3843p.pdf
[3] What you need to know about heroin. University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=1&contentid=1426
[4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April 13). What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use?. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-heroin-use
[5] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021b, April 13). What are the medical complications of chronic heroin use?. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-medical-complications-chronic-heroin-use
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.-a). Heroin. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/heroin.html
[7] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021b, April 13). What are the long-term effects of heroin use?. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-long-term-effects-heroin-use
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