Opioid Drug: Heroin

Heroine

Heroin is an opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. Heroin usually appears as a white or brown powder or as a black sticky substance, known as “black tar heroin ( HEALY)

In 2011, 4.2 million Americans aged 12 or older (or 1.6 percent) had used heroin at least once in their lives. It is estimated that about 23 percent of individuals who use heroin become dependent on it. Heroin can be injected, inhaled by snorting or sniffing, or smoked. All three routes of administration deliver the drug to the brain very rapidly, which contributes to its health risks and to its high risk for addiction, which is a chronic relapsing disease caused by changes

The onset of heroin’s effects largely depends on the method that the drug is administered, as the method affects how fast the drug is able to cross over the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain.3,4 The blood-brain barrier is a neurovascular unit in the brain made up of many different cells that together act as a physical barrier to the brain. It undergoes several chemical reactions before ultimately being converted back into morphine. The opioid drug then binds rapidly to the opioid receptors within the brain. This binding action initiates a cascasde of molecular events and is what leads to pleasurable sensations of euphoria, relief from pain and diminished anxiety – all characteristics of the heroin high.

To meet a growing demand, drug traffickers have increased production, and have boosted Heroin can be sniffed, smoked or injected. Mexican black tar heroin, however, is usually injected (once dissolved) or smoked because of its consistency. Like other opiates, heroin is a sedative drug that slows body functioning. People who use it describe a feeling of warmth, relaxation and detachment, with a lessening sense of anxiety. Due to its analgesic qualities, physical and emotional aches and pains are diminished. These effects appear quickly and can last for several hours, depending on the amount of heroin taken and the route of administration. Initial use can result in nausea and vomiting, but these reactions fade with regular