WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF ABUSE?

WHO ABUSES HEROIN?

Previously a drug of the lower socio-economic groups, heroin has now become abused across the whole spectrum of society.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF HEROIN USE:

 "Rush"

 Depressed respiration

 Clouded mental functioning

 Nausea and vomiting

 Suppression of pain

 Spontaneous abortion

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF HEROIN USE:

 Addiction

 Infectious diseases, for e.g. HIV/AIDS + HepB + C

 Collapsed veins

 Bacterial infections

 Abscesses

 Arthritis and other rheumatologic problems

HEROIN

WHAT IS HEROIN?

Heroin is one of the many drugs known as opioids - drugs originating from the opium poppy PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM.

This plant is grown in the Golden Triangle in Asia, the Golden Crescent in the Middle East and increasingly in Colombia.

Other drugs in the same family include opium, morphine, pethidine, methadone, codeine and Wellcanol.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Treating morphine (an extremely potent painkiller) with various chemicals forming heroin salts - a white powder makes it. This is then "cut" or mixed with other substances, e.g. Brooklax, talcum powder to make it go further. This impure form is street heroin, is brown, and is also known as brown sugar.

HOW IS IT USED?

Heroin can be injected under the skin or directly into the vein called "mainlining". It is also sniffed, inhaled or smoked - especially common in South Africa and amongst many users who regard smoking as cleaner than injecting.

Cake heroin or heroin powder, may be heated in tin foil and resulting black smoke is then inhaled - this is called "chasing the dragon".

HOW DOES IT FEEL?

The "high" is an intensely relaxed and pleasurable state. A sensation of warmth and contentment spreads through the body - not unlike an orgasm! However, these effects are short-lived and the dose must be repeated frequently.

RISKS OF HEROIN ABUSE?

A person can become addicted to heroin after only a few days of using it. This means the person needs more of the drug to get high and will experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping.

SUSPICIOUS SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR:  Bent & blackened teaspoons  Blackened tinfoil  Matchbox covers  Hypodermic Syringes and needles  Lemons or packets of citric acid  Needle marks  Unidentified tablets, capsules or syrups  Tourniquet

STOPPING

Withdrawal symptoms begin within four to six hours after the last dose in heavy users. They peak at 48 to 72 hours and although terribly unpleasant, is rarely life threatening.

Symptoms include: sweating, nausea and vomiting, trembling, hyperventilation, chills, dizziness, pounding heart, convulsions, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, frequent urination, hallucinations, feeling of terror and muscular aches and pains.

There is a risk of cardiovascular collapse. The skin is often cold, sweaty and covered in goose flesh: going "cold turkey". The person has muscular twitches, giving rise to the expression "kicking the habit".

Most of the symptoms of withdrawal can be well controlled by entering a methadone (a milder opiod) withdrawal program, where lower and lower doses of the substitute drug are given to prevent the unpleasant symptoms. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this should be done as an inpatient, coupled with a Counselling programme.

SUCCESS

Many users stop, but unfortunately relapse is high, and it is therefore important to enter a Counselling programme and learn ways of reducing the risk of relapse.