Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of various opium poppy plants. It is a highly addictive and illegal drug that is often sold as a white or brown powder or a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, meaning it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Heroin use leads to intense euphoria, but it can quickly result in dependence and addiction, along with severe physical and mental health risks.

Street Names for Heroin:

•Smack

•Horse

•Big H

•Black Tar

•Dope

How is Heroin Made?

Heroin is derived from morphine, a naturally occurring substance found in the seed pods of opium poppy plants. The production process involves harvesting the opium sap, which is then chemically altered to produce morphine. Morphine undergoes further chemical processing to convert it into heroin. Most of the heroin found in the United States is illegally produced in unregulated labs, often in countries where the poppy plant is cultivated. Like fentanyl, illicit heroin is sometimes mixed with other substances, including fentanyl itself, making it even more dangerous and increasing the risk of overdose.

Why is Heroin Dangerous?

Heroin is highly addictive and acts on the brain’s reward system, leading to intense physical dependence. Regular use of heroin can cause tolerance, requiring the user to take more to achieve the same effects. Due to its potency, heroin is associated with a high risk of overdose, especially when combined with other depressants or when mixed with fentanyl. Overdose often results in respiratory failure, which can lead to death.

How Heroin is Used:

•Injection: The most common method of heroin use, where the drug is dissolved in water and injected directly into the bloodstream.

•Snorting: Heroin can be snorted in powder form, providing a slightly slower onset of effects compared to injection.

•Smoking: Some users inhale the vapors of heated heroin, a method referred to as “chasing the dragon.”

Effects of Heroin:

•Euphoria

•Dry mouth

•Heavy feeling in the arms and legs

•Nausea and vomiting

•Severe itching

•Drowsiness

•Slowed heart rate and breathing

Heroin Overdose Symptoms:

•Shallow or difficult breathing

•Blue-tinted lips and nails

•Cold, clammy skin

•Unconsciousness

•Weak pulse

•Coma

Heroin vs. Fentanyl:

While both heroin and fentanyl are powerful opioids, fentanyl is far more potent—about 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin. Fentanyl is used medically for pain management, whereas heroin is illegal with no medical use. Illegally made fentanyl is often mixed with heroin, which significantly increases the risk of overdose. Both substances are highly addictive, and quitting either drug without professional help can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Recovery Syndicate offers specialized programs to help individuals overcome addiction to heroin and fentanyl. The center provides comprehensive treatment and aftercare support to ensure clients have the tools they need to maintain long-term sobriety.

If you, or someone you love, is struggling with addiction, please call Recovery Syndicate at 480-409-4787 or visit them at recoverysyndicate.com for help or more information.