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Heroin, or diamorphine, its scientific name, is derived from an extract of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). It is not a natural element in poppies but rather is synthesized from morphine, which is a naturally occurring opiate. Of all the opiates, it is the most addictive. The heroin group counseling can contribute to a multi-faceted approach to drug rehabilitation.

Affects

Following an initial feeling of euphoria, the user experiences a feeling of calm relaxation. Then they become drowsy, their speech slurs and their pupils contract. They may feel detached. It can also produce nausea, vomiting, headaches and disturbance in mood. Because it is a Class A drug, which means that it is illegal even to be in possession of it, it is manufactured under less than standard conditions and can be cut with any number of substances from cough medicine to baby powder.

Short Lived

The initial high from the drug doesn’t last. Repeated doses are necessary to get the same buzz. It does not take long to develop tolerance to the drug. More and more is necessary to maintain the high and stave off the painfully unpleasant side effects. At some point, the body becomes so fiercely addicted that a larger and larger dose is needed just to feel normal, let alone euphoric.

Bodily Damage

Paradoxically, despite being dependent on the drug, it has many negative effects on the body. It can damage the blood vessels, leading to thrombosis and abscesses, which can go on to become gangrenous. Gangrene can spread to the brain, bones and heart and can also lead to amputation of a limb. A leading British scientific journal rated diamorphine the single most harmful of twenty popular recreational drugs, both in terms of its addictive potential and the amount of physical damage it produces.

Withdrawal

Users who are fortunate enough not do perish from an overdose or from other complications may eventually decide they have had enough of the life of a drug user and stop taking it. Doing this on their own is nearly impossible because of the devastating effects of withdrawal. These include severe muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches, convulsions and profuse sweating.

Medication

Fortunately, there are detox treatment centers where people can go to get help with becoming clear of the drug. Here, they may have controlled access to substitutes such as methadone, as well as other forms of support to help them get through this difficult phase. There are some people who decide to go through what is known as ‘cold turkey’, or the sudden complete cessation of the drug without any form of support.

Life After Detox

After heroin detox, the next step is learning how to live without the drug, the emotional side. One of the strengths of residential treatment centers is they physically remove the recovering addict from the physical and psychological cues that trigger the drug seeking behavior to begin with. This also provides practice at developing relationships with people who do not take drugs.

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