Heroin
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Contents |
The Basics
Introduction and Basic Description
Heroin was the brand name for a pharmaceutical drug produced by Bayer Pharmaceuticals in the late 19th century. It is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from the natural constituents (opium latex) of the lone opium-producing species of poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. The three most prominent opiate alkaloids occurring naturally in opium latex are thebaine, codeine and morphine. "Heroin," as such, is not known to occur naturally in any known plant or other material. Its chemical name, diacetylmorphine, does well to indicate how slightly it differs chemically from morphine, yet producing markedly stronger effect by weight. Diacetylmorphine is both a euphoric and narcotic analgesic. It is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which is the mechanism by which Heroin produces significant respiratory depression; it has become notorious for the respiratory depression by opiates and opioids (and diacetylmorphine, especially) carries a high likelihood of overdose and death. The desired effects users seek from the use of Heroin include euphoria, empathy, sleepiness or "nodding" (a semi-conscious state in which the user drifts into and out of reality at semi-regular intervals) and analgesic properties.
Within the databases of IUPAC, Heroin is known as (5α,6α)-7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diol diacetate (ester).
Timeline of Experience
The timeline of the diacetylmorphine experience is heavily influenced by dosage and route-of-administration. Below are approximated timeline values for dactylmorphine (heroin), with regard to varying types of drug administration for non-tolerant users:[8]
| Oral | Insufflated | Vaporized | Intravenous | |||
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Nasal- onset takes about 10 minutes, the peak occurs after about 30-45 minutes, the plateau lasts for 2-3 hours, with the experience ending after around 5 or 6 hours. Depending on the users tolerance, there may be an afterglow until the user goes to sleep (if taken early in the day) or in the morning (if the user took the drug late at night). Smoking- onset 0-30 seconds, peak T+ _____, plateau T _____, Afterglow T+ ____, end of experience T _____. EffectsThe effects of heroin depend on several factors, such as dose, ROA (route-of-administration) and individual tolerance. The euphoric and analgesic effects are felt, but the extent will depend on the above factors. In lower doses, many users experience an increase in energy and become more social due to the lift in mood that heroin brings about. They may talk more than usual and express their feelings, and do things that require energy such as cooking, cleaning, etc. In higher doses the drug is more sedating. This is when users experience "the nod." Nodding out is when the user is in a dream-like state of euphoria in which they are aware of their surroundings, but they close their eyes and let their mind wander while they are in this state of extreme euphoria. Some highs will start of energetic and stimulating, and when the drug peaks the user will then feel the more sedating effects of the drug. DosagesMethod of administrationSlang
Contraindications and OverdoseHeroin causes respiratory depression which in high doses or in combination with other CNS depressants can cause overdose. Common CNS depressant drugs which are very frequently, however dangerously, combined with Heroin include the following (not a complete list): Alcohol, Benzodiazepines (e.g. alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin), amongst many others), Barbiturates and other opiates/opioids. CNS stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine can cause negative effects when combined with heroin due to the "masking effect" that they cause. What that means is the user may not think that they are that high off of the heroin because the stimulant drugs are masking the effects of the heroin. The user, thinking that the heroin isn't that strong, may then take another dose of heroin to get the effects they are after and end up overdosing once the stimulants wear off. Other substances that can cause complications when taken with heroin are drugs that effect the metabolism of heroin due to their interaction with the same liver enzymes that break down the drug. White grapefruit juice and cimetidine (tagamet) are a few of the drugs that interact with the metabolism of heroin, and can cause dangerous interaction. In the event of overdose, the opioid antagonist Narcan (naloxone) is administered to treat the overdose. For more information on this, read Managing Opioid Overdose. Many of the problems associated with heroin are due to improper and unsafe IV technique, as well as unknown purity and cuts associated with street heroin. Negative Short-Term Side Effects
Decreased reaction time. Negative Long-Term Side Effects
Addiction and Withdrawal IssuesHarm ReductionWhen discussing harm reduction for heroin, it can be split up into harm reduction for the use of heroin, period - the second is preventative harm reductionionist methods peculiar to for IV use. Heroin: Always start with a low dose and work your way up. It is very important to do this so that you "test" the purity of the heroin before doing a regular dose. Never use alone. You should have somebody with you in case you overdose so that they can call the paramedics (911/999) and administer rescue breathing for you while waiting for the paramedics to come. Obtain Narcan (naloxone) to have for emergency situations. Different states and countries have different laws on allowing people to obtain this drug. Some states will give out this drug as well as train you in how to use it in the even of an overdose. Please look up resources for this drug in your area, and obtain this drug if at all possible. Do not combine heroin with other CNS depressants. The list of dangerous combinations is located above in the section of Contraindications and Overdose.
Legal IssuesIn most of the developed world heroin is controlled by the United Nations' mandated legal restrictions. The 1962 U.N. Single Convention on Narcotics forces any United Nations member to enact and enforce such legislation. In the United States, this requirement is fulfilled by the Controlled Substances Act. Under this law, heroin and all isomers, salts, esters, or salts of esters are classified as Schedule 1, in a 5 Schedule system. Under Schedule 1, All use, including medical prescription, clinical trials, personal use and posession, are illegal, punishable under state and local law in most areas. Legitimate research on heroin must be done through NIDA approved trials. The History Behind HeroinDuring the late 19th century, whooping cough was wide spread with a high mortality rate, for which there was no known cure. The only effective course of treatment was with the use of drugs known to exhibit cough suppressing action. At the time morphine was already in use and very effective, and due to a lack of control over import, manufacture or sale, opium and morphine were imported from other countries and made available for sale in general stores and pharmacies in major cities. The invention of the hypodermic needle coupled with the availability of morphine meant that users were able to easily administer morphine directly to a vein, for a number of people this lead to psychological addiction and physical dependance. A number of scientists attempted to find a cure for morphine addiction through alterations of commonly known drugs with similar action, with little success. Though it had been discovered by accident 23 years earlier, in 1897 a Bayer Pharmaceuticals chemist named Felix Hoffmann synthesized diacetylmorphine in an attempt to produce Codeine. This compound was found to be more potent than morphine, and for the next 12 years it was marketed as Heroin, a treatment for Whooping Cough. Heroin was also thought to be able to cure Morphine addiction, though this "cure" for addiction was merely a substitution. Today we would call this maintenance therapy, somewhat similar to the methadone program, though the original intent was to "cure" the addiction. Very quickly it was discovered that heroin is metabolized into morphine in the body, with the only clinically relevant differences being its speed of onset and peripheral action, most notable in contrast to morphine is the absence of histamine release. Heroin was later found to bring out addiction dependance, being just as dangerous as morphine. Compared to morphine, heroin had no real advantage other than potency, and Bayer withdrew heroin from the market. ChemistryMechanism of ActionTrip ReportsReferencesAdditional Resources/External LinksCredits |
