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What is heroin?

Heroin (smack, H, horse, hammer, dope, junk, gear, boy) comes from the opium poppy, a plant that commonly grows in Asia and the Middle East. Heroin has been used for thousands of years by many cultures for its pain relief properties. In fact, heroin is still being used for pain relief by prescription in some countries today.

Heroin was made illegal in the early 1900s when its strong potential for abuse was realised. Heroin is now used recreationally and is thought to be one of the most highly addictive substances available.

What’s in heroin?

Heroin is produced from the sticky resin of the opium poppy. This resin is refined to produce opium.  Opium can then be used to create pain relief medications, including morphine and codeine. Heroin is produced from morphine by a chemical process, producing a very strong pain-killing drug.

Heroin itself is an inactive drug, but it quickly turns into morphine and the chemical 6-Monoacetylmorphine once inside the brain, producing feelings of happiness and strong relief from pain.

Street heroin is commonly diluted with other substances, such as glucose, caffeine, sugar, paracetamol or powdered milk. These additives can be dangerous when added to heroin. The purity of heroin depends on how it is manufactured, what ingredients are used and what it is cut (diluted) with.

There is no way of knowing what heroin is mixed with or its purity, so it is safest to take heroin in small doses, especially if trying a new batch for the first time. It is thought that street heroin can be anywhere between 5% and 95% in purity. Heroin can range from fine, white powder to off-white/ brownish rock-like granules.

Classification

Heroin is classified as a depressant meaning that it slows down the central nervous system. This slowing down of the central nervous system lowers the heart rate and breathing rate. Heroin also acts as an analgesic ( pain-reliever) resulting in a decreased sensation of pain.

How is heroin used?

The most common ways of taking heroin are:

• Injected into vein: This is the most common way of taking heroin. Heroin granules are put on a spoon with water and heated, dissolved and sterilized before being injected into a vein. A dose usually falls between 5 and 10 mg.
• Injected into the muscle: When injected into the muscle, the effects of heroin have a slower onset time and are less intense over all.
• Smoked (often with tobacco or cannabis): Heroin granules are ground down into a powder and combined with tobacco or cannabis in a hand rolled cigarette. Doses usually range between 15 mg - 25 mg  but a considerable amount of the drug is destroyed in the burning process.
• Snorted: High purity heroin can be snorted up the nostrils. High purity heroin will usually look like a fine white powder.

Immediate effects of heroin

Heroin passes into the brain very rapidly so its effects can be felt almost instantly. Effects are usually first noticed within seconds of taking heroin and last for 3 - 5 hours. Some short term effects of heroin may include:

• Instant pleasure, a 'rush' or 'buzz'
• Pain relief
• Decreased feelings of anxiety
• Drowsiness/ sleepiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Constricted pupils
• A dry mouth
• Becoming sweaty and itchy
• Slowed breathing, blood pressure and heart rate

Heroin overdoses are relatively common.

Regular effects from regular heroin use

Heroin is highly addictive and extended use can lead to some pretty nasty side effects including:

• The ever-present risk of fatal overdose or non-fatal overdose which may include brain damage and permanent disability
• Your body will builds up a tolerance to the drug meaning a higher dose is needed to get the same effect
• Hepatitis C, HIV and other blood-borne infections through the use of non-sterile injecting equipment
• Injecting heroin can be harsh on your veins and may lead to collapsed veins, abscesses, cellulitis and gangrene (death and decay of body tissue)
• A loss of sex drive in men
• Some substances used in heroin mixtures can be highly poisonous, possibly causing tetanus and damage to the lungs, liver, brain and heart
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities and infertility in women
• Malnutrition
• Susceptibility to infections due to a lowered immune system
• Cognitive decline
• Social consequences, such as poverty, crime and an increased vulnerability to violence

Mental health and heroin

There are also mental health risks associated with heroin use including an increased risk of developing:

• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression and suicidal thoughts
• Mood swings

Is heroin addictive?

Heroin is one of the most addictive substances we know of. It is possible to become both physically and psychologically addicted to heroin in as little as a few days.

Heroin cravings are very powerful and the need to obtain and use heroin often becomes more important than other activities, such as going to work or university.  Heroin is also an expensive habit so users commonly encounter financial difficulties.

It’s hard work for the body to readjust to normal functioning when you stop taking heroin; this is why withdrawal symptoms occur. Withdrawal symptoms can appear within only a few hours of your last hit, and often peak around 2 - 4 days later.

Withdrawal symptoms commonly include stomach and leg cramps, vomiting, goosebumps, runny nose, irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia, increased heart rate, muscle spasms and depression. Most symptoms will disappear after about seven days but some symptoms (including cravings, loss of appetite, insomnia and depression) may last for months and even years.

Heroin and the law

It’s illegal to use, possess, or supply cocaine in every Australian state. These offences vary from state to state but carry heavy fines and/or prison sentences.

It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs. Breaking this law carries penalties including disqualification from driving, heavy fines and/or imprisonment.

This fact sheet was prepared with assistance from the Australian Drug Foundation.