Heroin: The illegal drug

Derived from morphine, heroin is an illegal and highly addictive opioid drug that comes from the opium poppy plant. It was first synthesized in the late 1800s and marketed as a cure for pain and coughing. However, it was soon discovered to be hazardous and highly addictive, leading to its eventual ban as a medical treatment in many countries. As a central nervous system depressant, heroin slows down the body's functions and can elicit feelings of relaxation and euphoria by binding to the same receptors in the brain as natural endorphins. Sold as either white or brown powder or a tar-like substance, heroin can be smoked, snorted, or injected, producing a much stronger and intense effect than natural endorphins, which are chemicals that are produced by the body to control pain and produce feelings of pleasure. When heroin binds to these receptors, it produces a much stronger and more intense effect than the natural endorphins.

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that can be found in white or brown powder form, or as a black, tar-like substance. It is usually smoked, snorted, or injected and gives users a rapid rush of pleasure that can last for hours. When it wears off however, people may experience unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and cravings. Prolonged heroin use can cause respiratory depression and potentially lead to overdose - in 2019 alone there were over 14,000 deaths due to heroin overdose in the US - as well as increase the risk of getting infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis B&C due to sharing needles and other injection equipment. In addition to these physical health problems, people who use it regularly may suffer from depression or anxiety.

Heroin addiction is difficult to treat but intervention is possible with the help of family members along with medications such as methadone and buprenorphine that help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Behavioral therapy can also provide users with strategies to stay drug-free while residential or outpatient treatment programs can also be an option for some. All in all it is vital for anyone struggling with heroin addiction to seek professional help from a healthcare provider or an addiction specialist right away.