Heroin: symptoms, effects and withdrawal type

This variant of morphine is one of the most addictive and harmful drugs to health.

Heroin is classified as a recreational drug because of its euphoric because of the euphoric sensation 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 most harmful types of drugs currently in use, and is linked to the transmission of many diseases because of the way it is delivered.

How does heroin work?

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

In other words, the heroin somehow becomes 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 onset of the sensation of pleasure.

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

The effects of heroin

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

The pain and discomfort of withdrawal last 3 days, and after 12 hours without taking heroin, nausea and diarrhea, vomiting and breathing problems appear. After 24 hours, cardiac arrhythmia begins.After 24 hours, it starts with Heart arrhythmia, bone pain, lung problems, fevers, general irritation, bad mood, depression, and later on it only gets worse.

The drop in heroin level affects the whole body. Because of its effect, the hypothalamus (responsible for leveling body temperature) stops functioning well and changes from hot to cold are produced, the nervous system generates tremors in the muscles, nausea is feltThe nervous system generates tremors in the muscles, nausea is felt and the diaphragm descends, causing the stomach to contract and repeated vomiting.

If heroin is smoked, it produces respiratory problems because the drug produces mucus that obstructs the lungs. With tobacco the same effect is produced, 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 disappears. Over time, tissues are damaged and their ability to fight disease is diminished; in this case, pneumonia could be lethal for the user.

How does tolerance occur?

People's brains struggle to maintain a healthy chemical stimulation when taking the drug. Over time, the receptors sensitive to heroin stop working as the brain tries to compensate for the flow of the drug, the heroin gradually produces less and less of an effect and the body needs larger doses to maintain the biochemical balance.

Why does resistance to treatment appear?

When the person is under the effect of heroin, the drug pushes the addicted person towards the search for immediate self-interest.

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

New neural pathways are formed in the addict's brain, which directly connect heroin and pleasure. Eventually the brain becomes confused and begins to consider these shortcuts to pleasure as shortcuts to survival. At that point our nervous system begins to demand the drug over and above all other needs..

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

Treatment for abstinence

When it comes to the treatment of withdrawal there is a drug that has Buprenorphine as a component.. Buroprenorphine binds to the brain receptors to which heroin usually binds, removing the need for the drug without producing its effect.

The opposite effect is achieved because the patient ingests it when 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. It is given to the patient at the onset of withdrawal.

It is important that the patient be sincere and take the Buroprenorphine when the sweating and yawning begins; if taken earlier, the withdrawal only tends to worsen. This must be accompanied by medical advice and medical advice and psychological assistance..