Heroin Treatment, addicted to heroin

Diacetylmorphine also called diamorphine and heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid substance that is synthesized from morphine, which is a derivative of the opium poppy. The crystalline form is usually the hydrochloride salt diacetylmorphine hydrochloride; however, heroin freebase can also be a white powder.

As with other opioids, heroin is used as both a pain-killer and a recreational drug, and has an extreme potential for addiction. When someone is using heroin frequently, they will develop a tolerance, moderate physical dependence, and severe psychological addiction, which often results in addiction. Internationally, diacetylmorphine is controlled under Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Heroin is made from the seed pod of the plant called poppy. Heroin sold at street-level is not necessarily of high purity. It is often mixed with sugar, milk powder, etc. This is done so that the distributor can make more money and give less of the actual drug.

History

Heroin was developed around 3400 BC in the lower Mesopotamia. It was first synthesized in 1874 by C. R. Alder Wright in London, England. From 1898 to 1910, diacetylmorphine was marketed as heroin as a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough suppressant. Bayer was producing heroin as a cure for morphine dependency before it was discovered that heroin is rapidly metabolizing into morphine. Heroin was mainly a quicker acting form of morphine. Bayer was embarrassed by this new finding and it became a historic blunder for the company.

Heroin withdrawal

Heroin's withdrawal symptoms start between six to 24 hours after the discontinuation of the drug. The following are some of the symptoms of withdrawals:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Malaise
• Sweating
• cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• insomnia
• muscle spasms
• Scratching

The above withdrawal symptoms do not include all the symptoms. Also, the intensity of the symptoms will vary depending on the person.

Way of administration

Usually heroin is used by injection. The effect brings the greatest intensity and the most rapid onset of euphoria. It takes about 7-8 seconds. The second way of administration is by snorting the heroin. The effects will be felt usually within 10-15 minutes. The third way of administering is by smoking the heroin. The effect is pretty much instant but, as immediately intense as it is . Injection is the most popular way of using heroin. However, it has reported that lately snorting is becoming more popular amongst users. Peopel addicted to heroin to heroin cannot stop this drug by themselves escept for some exceptions.

^{References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin}