Heroin: symptoms, effects and type of withdrawal

Heroin is classified as a recreational drug due to the euphoric feeling it produces. It is derived from morphine and its frequent use is associated with tolerance and strong physical dependence.

It is also one of the types of drugs more harmful than currently used, and is linked to the transmission of many diseases by the way it is delivered.

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How does heroin work?

The injected heroin falls directly into the bloodstream, if it is smoked it descends through the respiratory tract and there it reaches the blood, rises to the brain through the blood brain barrier and then the drug comes into contact with the heroin-sensitive receptors, which makes the person feel an intense euphoria.

In other words, heroin somehow gets embedded in parts of neurons that are designed to react when they come into contact with substances produced naturally by the body. This generates a chain reaction that fully affects the parts of the brain responsible for the appearance of the sensation of pleasure.

The direct effect of heroin lasts 3 to 4 hours, but the important thing about this drug is both the effects produced by a dose and the effects of withdrawal.

The effects of heroin

Of course, in addition to the feeling of euphoria and well-being that appears right at the moment of consumption, heroin produces other effects that are of an adverse nature.

The aches and pains of withdrawal last 3 days, after 12 hours without consuming heroin nausea and diarrhea, vomiting and breathing problems appear. After 24 hours the cardiac arrhythmia begins, bone pain, lung problems, fevers, general irritation, bad mood, depression, and later it only gets worse.

The drop in the level of heroin affects the whole body. By its effect, the hypothalamus (responsible for leveling body temperature) stops working well and changes from heat to cold occur, the nervous system generates tremors in the muscles, they feel nauseous and the diaphragm drops, causing the stomach to contract and to vomit repeatedly.

If heroin is smoked, it causes respiratory problems because the drug produces mucus that clogs the lungs. With tobacco the same effect occurs, but this mucus is expelled by coughing; in the case of heroin, the drug inhibits the cough reflex and the lungs fill with mucus until the drug wears off. Over time tissues are damaged and their ability to fight disease is impaired; in this case pneumonia could be lethal for the consumer.

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How is tolerance produced?

People's brains struggle to maintain a healthy stimulus of chemicals when taking the drug. Over time, the heroin-sensitive receptors stop working, while the brain tries to compensate for the drug flow, little by little the heroin produces a diminishing effect and the body requires larger doses to maintain biochemical balance.

Why does resistance to treatment appear?

When the person is high on heroin, the drug puts pressure on the addicted person to seek immediate self-interest.

Human beings carry out positive activities for survival, such as; eating, having sex, sleeping, going to the bathroom, etc. These survival activities cause neurons to release pleasure chemicals into the brain.; the endorphins.

New neural pathways are formed in the addict's brain, directly connecting heroin and pleasure. Over time the brain becomes confused and begins to view these shortcuts to pleasure as survival shortcuts. At that time our nervous system begins to demand the drug over the rest of needs.

It is in this state that heroin is given priority over everything else. This is why we see people choosing drugs over family, work, physical well-being, etc.

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Treatment for withdrawal

When it comes to treating withdrawal there is a drug that has Buprenorphine as a component. Buroprenorphine attaches to brain receptors that heroin tends to adhere to, removing the need for the drug without producing its effect.

The opposite effect is achieved because the patient ingests it while there is still heroin in the body, Buprenorphine blocks the effect of existing heroin, creating a drop in mood and a significant increase in the effects of withdrawal. This is given to the patient when abstinence begins.

It is important for the patient to be honest and take Buroprenorphine when sweating and yawning start; if you take it earlier, the withdrawal only tends to get worse. This must be accompanied by a medical advice and psychological assistance.