heroin

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Recommended: History and epidemiology of heroin

Heroin by Hana
Heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs in the world; even small doses can kill a person within minutes. And although many people do recognize the dangers attached to this lethal substance, information like the long term and short term effects, steps of rehab, and the scientific effects of the drug to the brain are not widely known by non-users.
The scientific names of heroin are diacetylmorphine or diamorphine, but it’s known on the streets/casually as H, black tar, dope, dirt, horse, and others. It can be ingested by way of snorting through the nose, smoking in rolled joints, or the most well-known way, injection by needle. Any of these methods will affect the brain in the order that follows: when the heroin enters the body, it changes into morphine, which then latches on to certain cells called opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are spread in the brainstem (as well as the rest of the brain), but also go down the spinal cord too. This is one reason why heroin is so dangerous; having the morphine connect to your spinal cord can render you paralyzed, or cause changes in blood pressure and problems to the respiratory system..
People take heroin for the euphoria, but although the feeling has been said to be “the best thing in the world” or “something that fills you with energy and self-confidence”, the crash afterwards is similar to that of an alcoholic hangover. You might feel great while drinking, but terrible afterwards. The short-term effects of this drug, meaning the feelings you get almost directly after taking it, include: slowed breath, disabled mental functioning, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness...

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...ry is the one of Alix, a girl from the US who has been 3 years clean. She was arrested 3 times and even crashed a car while high before deciding to quit. However, during a moment of weakness and depression, she relapsed and later described it as the worst feeling in world. She said it felt like she was giving up on her life, and after that, she quit for good.
About 200,000 people die each year in deaths resulting from drug abuse, and if people were more educated about this drug and others such as cocaine or meth, both of which are very dangerous as well, there might be less casualties. Drugs are helpful in the medical world, harmful in the real world, and may seem imaginary if you are not fully aware of the dangers, but one thing everyone should remember is that being smart and making good, educated choices will help to protect you, your friends, and your family.

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