How Is Heroin Produced

Can You Get Addicted to Heroin After the First Use?

Heroin has the reputation of being one of the most addictive illicit drugs. Many government and academic institutions report that heroin is either very addictive or highly addictive . Adding to the risk associated with the substance is the number of ...

... first high. Why Do People Use Heroin? Heroin's intense high and quick speed of onset are major attractions for users ... abuse include: Experiencing the high . Heroin will produce an initial high followed by a period ... continue reading

Why Is Heroin So Addictive?

Despite its dangers and reputation for harm, use of heroin continues to escalate in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Rates of heroin use have increased across gender, socioeconomic status, age group, ...

... other substances. Heroin-related deaths have nearly tripled since 2002. Heroin is an illegal substance that produces a strong ... long-acting, the high produced will be much less intense than that of heroin when it is taken ... continue reading

Heroin Facts, History, and Statistics

History of Heroin Heroin is a powerful opiate narcotic that has no legal medical use in the U.S. Outside of the U.S., pharmaceutical grade heroin is still produced for limited therapeutic use. It is occasionally prescribed for severe pain in ...

... Outside of the U.S., pharmaceutical grade heroin is still produced for limited therapeutic use. It is occasionally ... Heroin's Effects Heroin is converted to morphine in the brain. The morphine molecules then produce ... continue reading

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms, Detox, and Addiction Treatment

What Helps With Heroin Withdrawal? Heroin is an illicitly manufactured opioid drug and morphine derivative. Both the pain-relieving and the pleasurable properties of heroin are initiated through the drug's interaction with opioid receptors in the ...

... injected, naloxone is released, producing significantly unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. ... in recovery. Why Should I Enter a Heroin Detox Program? The risks of continuing heroin use are significant and every hit puts you ... continue reading

Effects of Heroin Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

Is Heroin Harmful? Heroin is the name for a modified version of morphine that is a very addictive and illegal opioid drug . The drug is available on the illicit market in a number of different varieties, with purer product tending to occur in white ...

... used, the drug acts quickly in the body to elicit its dramatic results. In short, heroin is very harmful. The speed and intense effects of the substance are the main contributors to its harmful nature. They are also ... continue reading

Heroin Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

How Is Heroin Consumed? Heroin is one of the most common, addictive, and lethal drugs in the world. A morphine derivative, heroin is sold illegally in the form of white or brown powder, or a sticky black substance known as “black tar heroin.” In ...

... in the form of white or brown powder, or a sticky black substance known as “black tar heroin.” In its various forms, heroin is snorted or smoked, or it may be dissolved in water and injected intravenously. All routes of ... continue reading

Heroin Abuse Signs, Symptoms, Effects, Overdose, and Treatment

About Heroin Abuse What Is Heroin? Heroin is a substance that is both illegal and extremely addictive . The drug derives from opium from the poppy plant before it is refined to morphine, then further chemically modified to become heroin. Despite its ...

... the arms and legs. An increased sense of well-being and confidence. Symptoms and Signs of Heroin Addiction Symptoms and signs of heroin use will depend on how it is used, how often, and how long for. Immediate Symptoms ... continue reading

Heroin’s Effects on Pregnancy

Heroin is an illegal and highly addictive substance that may be injected, smoked, or snorted. This powerful opiate drug can easily harm any user, and it can cause numerous problems for a pregnant mother and her developing baby. Unfortunately, heroin ...

... . 8 Prenatal care is vital for any expectant mother, and it may be even more essential for women using heroin due to the high risk for pregnancy complications , such as: 3,4,5 Antepartum hemorrhage (bleeding). Low birth ... continue reading

How to Help a Heroin Addict

More than 590,000 people had a heroin use disorder in the U.S. in 2015, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. If you or someone you love is addicted to heroin, you're not alone, and there is help available. Approaching Someone About ...

... an extremely addictive drug. In 2013, nearly 5 million people in the U.S. reported having tried heroin at least once. Heroin is an extremely addictive opiate due to how rapidly it enters the brain. It has both short-term ... continue reading

Are Prescription Painkillers as Addictive as Heroin?

The Link Between Painkillers and Heroin According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2011, 4.2 million Americans aged 12 or over had used heroin at least once in their lives. Of these users, an estimated 23% will go on to become ...

... average dose of a prescription painkiller, then, will not produce the same high as heroin. Snorting or injecting opioids is relatively fast-acting, producing a more intense high, especially with higher dosages. Because ... continue reading

How Similar are Heroin and Prescription Opioids?

Heroin is an illicit street drug that produces a drowsy, euphoric high. Prescription opioids are legal medications prescribed by doctors to treat pain. Both heroin and prescription painkillers belong to the family of drugs known as opioids, which ...

... of drugs known as opioids, which act upon particular receptors in the brain and body to produce their effects. Heroin and prescription opioids may seem like very different drugs, but they are actually remarkably similar ... continue reading

Is Fentanyl Abuse More Deadly Than Heroin?

Fentanyl, a drug previously unheard of by many, has become notorious in recent years due to the spike in overdose deaths from heroin laced with the potent prescription narcotic. It gained even more notoriety when the April 2016 death of iconic ...

... (IMF), is made in clandestine labs. NPF is sold illegally, and it is highly sought after because it produces heroin-like effects 1 and can be cheap for manufacturers to make. On the street, it is sold under various names ... continue reading

Snorting Heroin Side Effects, Dangers, and Addiction Treatment

Heroin is a highly addictive Schedule I controlled drug. Heroin has a long history—it was first synthesized (as diacetylmorphine) in 1874 from morphine. Paradoxically, heroin was originally marketed as a safer and non-addictive form of morphine. ...

... A partial opioid agonist, this drug relieves drug cravings without producing dangerous side effects. Naltrexone (Vivitrol): An opioid antagonist, this drug blocks heroin's euphoric effects and does not result in physical ... continue reading

25 Great Writers Who Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Can Affect Anyone Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others, and writers are notorious for having some sort of addiction. Whether it's alcohol to numb the noise of the world or speed or LSD to “inspire” ...

... it's alcohol to numb the noise of the world or speed or LSD to “inspire” them, the bohemian yet lonely world ... addiction to alcohol didn't help him. Hubert Selby Heroin and other painkillers were the demons of Requiem for ... continue reading

Common Street Names for Drugs

People actively misusing legal or illicit substances use slang terms for many reasons—ranging from avoiding detection by law enforcement to ensuring privacy in written and verbal communication. If you suspect that someone you love is misusing ...

... of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produced from the same plants that produce marijuana, it is available as ... Morpho Unkie White Stuff Oxycodone Oxycodone : Hillbilly Heroin Kicker O.C Oxycet Oxycotton Oxy Percs Roxy ... continue reading

Snorting Fentanyl: Long-Term Effects & Dangers

Fentanyl is a pain-relieving substance with two main uses 1 : Treating significant acute, post-operative pain following surgery. Treating chronic or breakthrough pain in people that no longer respond to other narcotic medications. Like morphine, ...

... but misusing any fentanyl product (legally or illegally produced) by changing the dose, frequency, or ... has become tolerant to the drug takes a larger amount to produce the kind of high that used to come with lower doses ... continue reading

What Could Illicit Drug Synthesis Expose You To?

For the 44 million Americans aged 12 and older who used illicit drugs in 2014, the associated health risks are grave. But there's another risk that accompanies illegally manufactured substances - the exposure to hazardous chemicals. Clandestine drug ...

... , or even smoked in the form of “ice.” They speed up the body systems, which can cause a host of ... been the driving force behind this unfortunate upward trend. Heroin deaths have also skyrocketed. Tragically, in around 8 ... continue reading

Drugs A-Z

What Is Acamprosate? Acamprosate is thought to help recovering alcoholics stay sober by balancing inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. Acamprosate may be combined with behavioral therapy to decrease a person's chances of relapse and ...

... Learn about the effects of hash use . What Is Heroin? Heroin is an illicit drug known to induce feelings of ... Learn about the effects of Soma use . What Is Speed? Speed is a slang term applied to illicit amphetamine and ... continue reading

Snorting Vyvanse: Effects and Addiction Treatment

What Is Vyvanse Used For? Vyvanse is the brand name of a medication prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge-eating disorder (BED). 1 This substance is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that interacts with ...

... a high may attempt to crush and snort Vyvanse to produce a quicker and “better” high (as this method creates ... in particular—dopamine—is related to the “high” produced when the drugs are abused. When a stimulant medication ... continue reading

If Old Drug Ads Told the Truth

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Through the late 19th century and mid-20th century, many of today's illicit drugs of abuse were available legally in the United States. Products containing cocaine, heroin, or amphetamine were readily available for ...

... terms of neuralgia and despondency, the euphoria produced by both substances is incredibly short-lived; ... trying to soothe an infant. 9. Glyco-Heroin (Smith) Although heroin had already been invented in 1874 , the ... continue reading

What Recreational Drugs Cause Liver Damage? Drugs and Liver Disease

The Function of the Liver The liver plays an extremely important role in the body. It ensures the removal of toxins and has numerous other functions, including: Fat metabolism: Liver cells—or hepatocytes—are able to process dietary and stored ...

... others are classified as enzyme inhibitors, which reduce the speed at which a drug is broken down. In ... is broken down and excreted through urine. This process produces many harmful by-products—such as free radicals and ... continue reading

Amphetamine Addiction Signs, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Amphetamines are prescription medications or illegal substances that are also known as stimulants, as they speed up your metabolism and increase your alertness. When legally prescribed, they are typically used to treat attention-deficit ...

... to as base, crystal, d-meth, fast, glass, ice, meth, speed, whiz, pure, or wax. Methamphetamine , which, when in liquid form ... Work? Amphetamines act on the brain to produce a stimulating effect throughout the rest of the ... continue reading

Snorting Tramadol: Dangers, Health Risks, & Treatment

Tramadol is a medication prescribed to treat moderate to moderately severe pain in adults and, in its extended release forms, to manage certain chronic pain conditions. Similar to other pain medications like oxycodone, morphine, and hydrocodone, ...

... hydrocodone, tramadol is an opioid and primarily produces its pain-relieving effects by interacting with opioid ... In the case of tramadol, snorting will increase the speed at which the substance's effects are felt compared ... continue reading

Seized

In 2015, Border Patrol prevented more than 1.5 million pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and meth from entering the United States. 1 In the same year, the Coast Guard intercepted 72 vessels and more than 150,000 pounds of drugs. 2 These ...

... then. Seven states have passed new marijuana laws, and a heroin epidemic continues to claim more lives each year than ever before ... California, where the majority of domestically produced marijuana is cultivated - as well ... continue reading

Meth Abuse Signs, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant often abused for the euphoric “high” it provides. Some signs of meth abuse include frequent paranoia, agitation, sweating, insomnia, skin changes, weight loss, and more. Abusing this powerfully addictive drug ...

... Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant that produces effects in users similar to those ... on Drug Abuse also reports that methamphetamine use may speed up the progression of HIV/AIDS and worsen symptoms ... continue reading

Health Effects of Drug Misuse and Addiction

Substance misuse and addiction can have serious short- and long-term effects. 1 The physical effects of drugs and alcohol vary according to the type of substance, duration of use, and method of administration. 1 Recovering from addiction can be a ...

... have widespread effects. 12 Commonly misused substances may speed or slow down heart rate, increase or decrease ... methamphetamine, heroin, and other opioids. 8, 19 Injection Injecting drugs intravenously can produce a ... continue reading

The 5 Most Dangerous Painkiller Myths

While painkiller use is widespread, there is a vast amount of false information surrounding them. Unfortunately, many people begin using opioid painkillers knowing little about them. Given few details about these drugs - how they work, when to take ...

... their mechanism of action is similar to that of heroin . Examples of opioid pain medications include: Hydrocodone ... They can reduce the speed of your breathing and heartbeat and produce other unwanted physical effects ... continue reading

20 Genius Minds and the Drugs They Were Addicted To

Intelligence doesn't preclude people taking drugs any more than fame does. When those who are under stress need to relax, some turn to drugs or drink as an escape from reality. Others do it because they believe it enhances their creativity or allows ...

... all the lyrics to Smells Like Teen Spirit? His use of heroin worried people, though, and in 1994, he joined the 27 club ... Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer who produced rousing orchestral scores such as the 1812 ... continue reading

Treatment for LSD Abuse: How to Treat LSD Addiction

Psychoactive substances, by definition, change the way people think and feel. Hallucinogens do this in a unique way, by altering the way that humans sense and perceive the world—making false visual, auditory, and tactile sensations seem real. One ...

... that is derived from lysergic acid—a substance produced in a fungus that grows on rye and other ... powerful physical cravings in the same way that drugs like heroin and cocaine will, the effects can become so desirable for ... continue reading

Signs & Symptoms of Hydromorphone Abuse

Hydromorphone is a prescription medication used for the long-term treatment of moderate to severe pain that cannot be managed by other pain medicines or non-pharmacologic options. Hydromorphone is an opioid pain medication that is available as a(n) ...

... . People abusing hydromorphone will seek the pleasurable effects produced during a high. The high will soon give ... are typically labeled as more serious, such as heroin . These effects include 2 : Intense pleasure. ... continue reading

Effects of Ketamine Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, and Side Effects

Is Ketamine Dangerous? “It's easy to get ketamine abuse wrong because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke weight for weight, so it's easy to accidentally overdose.” Like its sister drug CP, ketamine is a dissociative ...

... because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke weight for weight, so it's easy ... 's odorless and colorless. Short-Term Effects of Ketamine Ketamine produces an abrupt high that lasts for about an hour. It ... continue reading

History of Drug Abuse and Addiction in the U.S. and Throughout the World

What Is the History of Substance Abuse Rehabilitation? As drugs have been abused for hundreds of years all over the world, their effects have been felt for just as long. For as long as drugs have been used, there have been those who have abused ...

... for the House—A History of Drinking in America. Produced by Stephen R. Powell and Thomas P. McDade Historical ... quickly became yet another widespread drug of abuse. Heroin and other opiates were synthesized and marketed as ... continue reading

Side Effects of Librium Use, Withdrawal and Addiction Treatment

What Is Librium Used For? Librium—which is a brand name formulation of chlordiazepoxide—belongs to a class of sedative medications known as benzodiazepines. Librium has been widely used as a treatment for anxiety and for managing the symptoms of ...

... period of time than directed by a doctor, it can speed up the onset of tolerance, give rise to number of ... . 1,2 Mixing alcohol or opioids —such as heroin or prescription painkillers—with Librium can increase the risk of ... continue reading

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms and Quitting Adderall Use

What Is Adderall Used For? Adderall—a branded formulation of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine —is a stimulant that doctors prescribe for the management of: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Narcolepsy. As a prescription ...

... names, including “beans,” “black beauties,” “dexies,” “pep pills,” “speed,” and “uppers.” 1 This drug is abused recreationally because high doses can produce a euphoric high similar to that of illicit stimulants like ... continue reading

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Some women are curious about whether they can drink alcohol while they are breastfeeding. While women are strongly advised to avoid drinking any alcohol during pregnancy, the recommendations on whether a woman can drink while breastfeeding are less ...

... known as “pumping and dumping.” This practice does not speed the removal of alcohol from the breast milk. Rather, ... lactating decreases the amount of milk your body produces. 4, 6 Can I Safely Drink While Breastfeeding ... continue reading

Snorting Vicodin: Side Effects, Dangers, and Addiction Treatment

Vicodin is the brand name for a prescription medication that is frequently used for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Vicodin is comprised of two active pain relievers: 1 Hydrocodone —an opioid pain reliever. Hydrocodone it is a ...

... ). This fleeting surge of dopamine helps to produce the rewarding sense of euphoria and relaxation that ... it by oral routes because of the intensely rewarding speed of onset and strength of effects. Generally, addiction ... continue reading

Snorting Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is an opioid substance used in many prescription medications to treat cough and pain. Hydrocodone is available in formulations of pure hydrocodone (Hysingla, Zohydro) or in combination with other pain relievers like ibuprofen ...

... many substances, there is a direct relationship between the speed of onset and the strength of the drug effects. ... to a drug builds , the substance may no longer produce the strong effects it once did. People with a high ... continue reading

Joints vs. Edibles: How Marijuana Affects the Body

The primary psychoactive component of marijuana (cannabis)—what deliver the “high,” in other words—is the substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 1 THC's powerful, mind-altering effects derive from its interaction with and activation of the ...

... joint and eating an edible are reflected in the speed of onset of effects, the duration until peak ... methods that involve inhaled smoke or vapor are capable of producing a near-instantaneous “high” that then may last 1 ... continue reading

Snorting Adderall: Side Effects and Addiction Treatment

What Does Adderall Do? Adderall is a prescription stimulant used and abused for its ability to increase energy and mental focus, as well as for its potential to elicit pleasurable feelings at high enough doses. 1 It is prescribed for the treatment ...

... names, including “black beauties,” “uppers,” and “speed.” 1 Adderall is classified as a schedule II controlled ... over time. Tampering with the drug in this way can produce more powerful high with a rapid onset that may be ... continue reading

The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Drinking alcohol puts you in a league with 70% of Americans who also do. And though nights spent with a beer, a glass of your favorite wine, or a mixed drink might seem like harmless fun, do you really know how it's affecting your body? Like all ...

... affect heart rate, disrupting its rhythm by causing it to speed up or beat irregularly. Worse, it can lead to ... damage to the pancreas , a two-in-one hormone-producing endocrine and digestive exocrine gland. Even a single, ... continue reading

History and Statistics of “Study Drugs”

What Are “Study Drugs?” The colloquial term “study drugs” typically refers to prescription stimulant medications (such as Ritalin and Concerta) that are used to enhance aspects of a user's mental functioning, such as: Memory. Concentration. ...

... also: Suppress appetite. Increase energy and wakefulness. Produce a feeling of euphoria. Therefore, stimulants are ... of people who have become addicted to “speed” since the 1930s. Additionally, the performance benefits ... continue reading

Facts About Krokodil (The “Zombie Drug”)

What Is Krokodil? Desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) or Krokodil, is an injectable opioid derivative of codeine. On the street and online, the drug is known as: Krokodil. Crocodile. Croc. Krok. Russian Magic. Poor Man's Heroin. The name ...

... seeking a euphoric high because it is cheap, relatively easy to make or obtain, produces a high similar to that of heroin, and delivers potent sedative and pain-relieving effects in the user. Krokodil's effects have ... continue reading

Overdosed

The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths: every year, nearly 44,000 lives are tragically lost, with more than half of the fatalities caused by prescription drugs. We've analyzed the latest government data to find out why ...

... into one data set and map it, we are able to produce a map that does tell the story of prescription drug deaths ... 7 We searched CDC's data for records that showed heroin and an opioid analgesic in decedents' systems at the ... continue reading

Effects of Alcohol and Drugs on the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

How Do Drugs Affect the Reproductive System? Substance misuse can negatively impact the reproductive health of both sexes in several ways. It may contribute to serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), infertility, and ...

... lighter or heavier menstrual periods and increased cramping. 2 Heroin and methadone use may also lead to amenorrhea (absence ... , which leads the reproductive organs to produce lower amounts of the hormone. This can ... continue reading

Prescription Painkiller FAQ

What Are Prescription Painkillers? Prescription painkillers are opioid medications used to manage relatively severe pain (such as pain associated with surgical procedures or more chronic issues like cancer-related pain). 1, 2 They can be safe and ...

... prescription opioids are virtually indistinguishable from other dangerous drugs of abuse, such as heroin. 4 Like heroin, painkillers can produce profound respiratory depression at high doses, so those who misuse them are ... continue reading

Why Are Prescription Opiates So Addictive?

Prescription opiates—such as Vicodin , Percocet , and OxyContin —are narcotic medications used for pain management. These drugs are often referred to as “opioids,” which are synthetic and semi-synthetic derivatives of the active “opiate” ...

... affect the brain the same way morphine and heroin do. They attach to opioid receptors found ... activities that promote survival, such as eating or having sex, produce a sense of motivation to repeat the behavior , even when ... continue reading

Cocaine Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Prevention, and Addiction Treatment

Cocaine overdose can be a serious concern for anyone who uses cocaine. This article will help you understand what a cocaine overdose is, cocaine overdose effects, and potential risk factors for cocaine overdose. We will also discuss what you can do ...

... when a person has taken enough cocaine to produce potentially serious, adverse, and life-threatening effects or ... suicidal. 9 Unstable housing. 9 Injecting cocaine and/or heroin. 9 What to Do in Case of Cocaine Overdose ... continue reading

The Effects of Vicodin Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Is Vicodin Used For? Vicodin is an prescription painkiller medication that is comprised of two substances: Hydrocodone . Acetaminophen . Hydrocodone is an opiate drug that works as a pain reliever and is useful in managing multiple levels of ...

... to those of other opiates , such as morphine and heroin. Opiate effects are achieved when the substance enters the ... a cascade of chemical events transpires—ultimately producing the desired effects , which include: Lower ... continue reading

Methadone for Addiction Treatment

Methadone is a highly effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) when taken correctly and under the supervision of a medical practitioner. 1 Methadone can reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings to use opioids, and studies show ...

... Use Disorder? You may be wondering, 'can you get addicted to methadone?' While methadone does not produce the same effects as heroin, it has strong pain-relieving and sedating effects, which can be addictive. 3 The signs ... continue reading

Side Effects of ACTIQ Abuse

ACTIQ is a brand name for fentanyl, an extremely powerful opioid painkiller that is used only for severe pain such as breakthrough cancer pain 1 . Fentanyl is available in a number of formulations and delivery methods, including 2,3,4 : Tablets and ...

... out fentanyl for its potent high, but many heroin distributors are lacing their product with fentanyl to provide ... tolerance develops, a substance will no longer produce the wanted effect at previously effective doses. ... continue reading

Short-Term Effects, Long-Term Effects, and Side Effects of DMT Misuse

Is DMT Harmful? DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic compound found naturally in a variety of plant species and produced endogenously in the human brain. Although the brain produces it naturally, the compound itself is still a Schedule 1 ...

... of plant species and produced endogenously in the human brain. Although the brain produces it naturally, the ... appear to produce tolerance and dependence in the same way that drugs like cocaine, heroin, and alcohol ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Crack Abuse

Concurrent Alcohol and Crack Abuse In the mid 1980s, crack cocaine use exploded across the United States. In 1974, 5 million people had tried cocaine. By 1985, more than 22 million people had tried cocaine, with more than half of them reporting ...

... is produced by processing cocaine to remove its hydrochloride (a process known as “freebasing” ). This produces a ... Extreme paranoia. Combined Effects Mixing crack and alcohol speeds up the heart rate to an incredible and ... continue reading

Risk of Counterfeit and Laced Drugs

Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 27 million people aged 12 and older were current illicit drug users. This figure amounts to 1 in every 10 people having used illegal drugs in the past month. With ...

... it is difficult to know: How the drug was produced. Whether the drug was mixed with other substances or adulterants ... , as well as the effects a substance will produce. Additionally, if you take drugs that are diluted ... continue reading

The Effects of Meth on Your Body

During the past two decades, illicit methamphetamine - also known as crystal meth - has presented one of the largest and most dangerous drug epidemics in America. This extremely powerful stimulant, which can be smoked, injected, snorted, or eaten, ...

... -induced decay, and a variety of factors work together to produce this damage. Meth use can lead to dry mouth, and ... , potentially going days without food. Because meth also speeds up the body's metabolism, this can lead to ... continue reading

How to Help an Ecstasy Addict

Help for Ecstasy Addicts The full name for ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. It is a synthetic drug that has psychoactive effects on users. It is produced and available in many forms. It is similar chemically to the hallucinogen ...

... that has psychoactive effects on users. It is produced and available in many forms. It is similar ... with mild hallucinogenic effects. This means that it can produce a sped up effect on the body while changing the user's ... continue reading

How to Help a Meth Addict

Methamphetamine (“meth”) is a substance that has very limited medical use. The drug is only available legally under the name Desoxyn , which is a medication with limited therapeutic application for the treatment of obesity and ADHD. As a ...

... illicitly manufactured methamphetamine dwarfs that which is produced for pharmaceutical purposes. Commonly, it is a ... can also be smoked, snorted, or injected to produce a stimulating, euphoric high . Crystal meth is one ... continue reading

Is Tramadol an Addictive Drug?

The epidemic of painkiller addiction is well known, and opioids like OxyContin (oxycodone) have filled the news in recent years due to rampant overprescribing, “pill mills,” and staggering rates of abuse. To counteract the spiraling threat of ...

... in pill form or injected, oxycodone produced a “high” similar to that of heroin . 5 Following the introduction of ... shown that it can produce a euphoric high similar to oxycodone and heroin. Is tramadol dangerous? Despite ... continue reading

Effects of Hydromorphone Abuse: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Is Hydromorphone Used For? Hydromorphone (brand names: Dilaudid, Exalgo) is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid painkiller used in both hospital settings and as part of a long-term treatment regimen for significant pain in opioid-tolerant ...

... that of many other opioids (such as morphine and heroin ). 3 When the substance enters the system, it ... begins to require more and more of a drug to produce the same effects. 3 Tolerance compels users to flirt with ... continue reading

DMT Drug Abuse Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment Programs

What Is DMT? DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogen capable of inducing a psychedelic “trip,” which typically ranges from 30 to 45 minutes in duration. 1 DMT is a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substance Act and has no recognized ...

... Unlike other hallucinogens , DMT does not appear to produce physical tolerance in the body, making it relatively less ... While DMT may not be addictive in the way that heroin or cocaine is, it can still have a negative ... continue reading

Drug Abuse and Cardiovascular Health Risks: How Do Drugs Affect the Heart?

What Are the Dangers of Drug Use? Both illicit and prescription drugs present many risks to individuals who misuse them. Drug abuse affects the brain in many ways that may lead to unpredictable, dangerous behaviors, social and emotional problems, ...

... illicit and prescription opioids , including drugs such as: Heroin . Codeine . Hydrocodone (Vicodin) . Oxycodone (OxyContin ... of opioids are the opposite of those produced by stimulants, including: 6 Dangerously slowed ... continue reading

Dangers of Snorting and Sniffing Drugs

Different routes of administration like snorting, sniffing, smoking, or injecting when you are using drugs can produce various effects based on how quickly the drug is absorbed into the body and the bloodstream. 1 Methods like smoking or injecting ...

... last 15 to 30 minutes. 1 In contrast, the high produced from smoking may have a faster onset but be shorter and ... 1 In contrast, people may sniff drugs because it produces a more intense high that lasts for a shorter ... continue reading

The 20 Countries With the Harshest Drug Laws in the World

United States drug laws are often considered harsh, but the penalties for carrying or trafficking drugs in other countries, particularly those in Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia, can be much more severe. Here are 20 countries in ...

... are arrested with more than 1.3 pounds of heroin , you will automatically be executed. Iran Iran is ... a particular problem in Iran, in part because it is produced in neighboring Afghanistan. If you are caught with drugs in ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Percocet Abuse

Percocet is the brand name for a mixture of oxycodone —one of the strongest opioids—and acetaminophen , the main component in over-the-counter fever reducers like Tylenol. An opioid is a synthetic derivative of opium, and opioids are commonly ...

... and numbness in the user similar to those of heroin, and they build tolerance, making them ripe for ... The radio program “ This American Life ” has produced an hour-long program about the dangers of acetaminophen, ... continue reading

Snorting Ketamine

Ketamine is a drug used in human and animal surgery to induce numbness and sedation without compromising breathing and blood pressure 1 . It is a dissociative anesthetic, and it has been increasingly used as a party drug due to the detached, ...

... party drug due to the detached, dream-like high it produces. In illicit circles, ketamine is encountered in both powder ... to some other abused drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, it may not be associated with as high a ... continue reading

Vyvanse Abuse Symptoms and Addiction Treatment

What Is Vyvanse Used For? Vyvanse, also known in its generic form as lisdexamfetamine, is a medication used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also ...

... 1 Vyvanse is a stimulant medication, meaning that it speeds up brain activity. Vyvanse can improve attention and ... To suppress appetite for weight loss purposes. To produce euphoria or to get “high.” Abusing Vyvanse can ... continue reading

The Effects of Valium Use: Side Effects, Short- and Long-Term Effects, and Treatment

What Is Valium Used For? Valium—a popular sedative-hypnotic prescription drug—has numerous effects on the body, many of which can be dangerous when the drug is misused or abused. Valium (diazepam) is prescribed for sleeplessness, anxiety, muscle ...

... the brain rebounds and speeds up from its drugged state, producing other undesirable effects, such ... Side Effects When it is used properly, Valium does not produce the same effects as it does when it is abused/misused ... continue reading

Side Effects of Demerol Use: Short-Term Effects, Long-Term Effects and Treatment

What Is Demerol Used For? Demerol is a prescription opioid painkiller with effects similar to those of the illicit opiate drug heroin, including the production of a pleasant, euphoric state among those who use it. Demerol is a branded formulation of ...

... with effects similar to those of the illicit opiate drug heroin, including the production of a pleasant, euphoric state ... it is taken as prescribed, Demerol use can produce some undesirable side effects. If you are using ... continue reading

Heroin's Death Toll Hits an All-Time High in New York

New York City has a serious heroin problem on their hands and new data released by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reveals just how deep the issue goes. In fact, more people died from unintentional heroin overdoses in New York ...

... the biggest jump by far was in Queens. Believe it or not, 81 residents of Queens died at the hands of heroin last year - that's 28 more deaths than Queens saw in 2012. Affluent areas of the north Bronx and eastern Queens ... continue reading

Concurrent Alcohol and Heroin Abuse

Dangers of Abusing Alcohol and Heroin The dangerous combination of alcohol and heroin gets widespread publicity every year from tragedies that remind the public how alcohol amplifies the already powerful effects of heroin on the central nervous ...

... over the past several years. A 2011 survey showed that 4.2 million Americans aged 12 and older had tried heroin at some point in their lives. The statistic that is truly troubling is that which indicates that a full 23 ... continue reading

Russian Roulette: The Hidden Dangers of Cutting Agents in Cocaine and Heroin

In the United States, more than 47,000 people die from drug overdoses every year . To make matters worse, drug deaths have recently surpassed both automobile and firearm accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the country. There's no ...

... then or even 30 years ago. In 1987, average cocaine was 80% pure; today, its purity is closer to 52%. Likewise, heroin hit a purity high of 58% in 1993, but has since dropped to an estimated 35%. What's causing the sharp ... continue reading

Lethal Drug Combinations to Avoid

What Are the Deadliest Drug Combos? Combining drugs (“polysubstance abuse”) is both common and potentially dangerous. There are various reasons why individuals use substances in combination. For some, the activity is done haphazardly, without ...

... combination of drugs is that people feel less vulnerable to heroin overdose because of their cocaine intake. In fact, users ... individual's risk of addiction and the speed at which addiction develops. Secondly, particular ... continue reading

Common Neurological Risks of Drug Abuse

Brain Damage From Drugs While substance misuse may cause a user to feel short-lived euphoria or impart a sense of temporary wellbeing, the adverse effects of drugs can be dangerous and, in some instances, may lead to permanent brain damage. Chronic ...

... (CNS) stimulants , such as cocaine and methamphetamine, speed up brain activity, blood pressure, and heart rate ... as well as illicit drugs like heroin . Research suggests that long-term heroin use can cause the white matter ... continue reading

Vyvanse Side Effects, Short-Term and Long-Term Effects, and Treatment

What Is Vyvanse Used For? Vyvanse is a brand name for the medication lisdexamfetamine that is prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and binge-eating disorders. 1,2 Vyvanse belongs to a class of medicines known as ...

... . However, if Vyvanse is misused or abused, it can speed up the development of tolerance, have a negative impact on both ... to help people taper off of drugs such as heroin , there are no medications approved by the Food ... continue reading

Long-Term Effects of Molly, Side Effects, and Addiction Treatment

MDMA Drug Information Ecstasy is the more common street name for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine—a highly addictive, illicit drug also known as MDMA , or “Molly.” This drug shares chemical structural similarities with both amphetamine and ...

... stimulant and sensory altering effects. 1 MDMA is known by many names, including: 1,2 X. XTC. Lover's Speed. Adam. Eve. Peace. Clarity. The drug was developed by a German pharmaceutical company, Merck KGaA, in 1912. 3 By ... continue reading

How to Help Someone With Adderall Addiction

Help for Adderall Addicts Adderall is the brand name for a drug that contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine . These ingredients work to stimulate and speed up the body. Doctors use this drug in the treatment of ...

... drug that contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine . These ingredients work to stimulate and speed up the body. Doctors use this drug in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ... continue reading

Your Brain on Drugs: Studying Cocaine's Effect on Blood Flow

Stimulant drugs like cocaine can cause serious blood flow problems within the brain. When there is an insufficient flow of rich, oxygenated blood to the brain, it can result in aneurysm-like bleeding and strokes. Researchers have developed a new ...

... use or 2 repeated injections of the drug, Pan and his team noted a dramatic drop in blood flow speed. For the very first time, researchers were also able to identify cocaine-induced microischemia brought on by decreased ... continue reading

Meth Overdose Symptoms, Signs, Risk Factors, Prevention, and Treatment

What Is Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine—most commonly known as “meth,” “crystal,” “speed,” and “ice”—is an addictive stimulant that causes users to experience an intense, euphoric rush. 1 Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, ...

What Is Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine—most commonly known as “meth,” “crystal,” “speed,” and “ice”—is an addictive stimulant that causes users to experience an intense, euphoric rush. 1 Meth can be smoked, snorted, ... continue reading

The Side Effects of Xanax: Pill Use and Short-Term and Long-Term Effects

What Is Xanax Used For? Xanax (generic name: alprazolam) is a powerful benzodiazepine drug that is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. 1,2 The medication comes in the form of a pill that quickly ...

... benzodiazepines. These include problems with visuospatial cognition, attention and concentrating, general intelligence and psychomotor speed. 7 What Are the Side Effects of Xanax Use? All medications have potential side ... continue reading

Effects of Clonazepam Use: Short-Term, Long-Term, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Is Clonazepam Used For? Clonazepam, commonly known by its brand name Klonopin , is a prescription medication commonly used for its anti-anxiety and anti-convulsant benefits. This medication is part of a larger group of substances called ...

... properties and effects, with their major differences being speed of action and the total time that the positive ... the mind and reduction of anxiety. People with sped-up or racing thoughts will report slowed thinking and ... continue reading

Clonazepam Abuse Symptoms and Addiction Treatment

Introduction to Clonazepam Abuse What Is Clonazepam Used For? Clonazepam is a prescription drug that belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines . Clonazepam is known also by the brand name Klonopin . It is the third most commonly ...

... alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan). These medications have very similar properties, but they vary in their speed of onset and the duration of their effects. Primarily, clonazepam is used to treat a number of ... continue reading

Opioid Use: Signs of Misuse, Adverse Effects, and Treatment

Opioids are substances that are known for their pain-relieving effects. They include both legal and some illegal substances that may have the potential for misuse, which can potentially lead to dependence and/or addiction. 1 If you or someone you ...

... Opioid overdose is a serious risk associated with any type of opioid misuse—both that of street drugs like heroin and illicitly-manufactured fentanyl, as well as prescription painkillers. In the U.S., over 70% of the 71 ... continue reading

The Effects of Opiates on the Body

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook They're potent, they're dangerous - and they could be in your medicine cabinet. In 2012, 259 million prescriptions for painkillers, such as Vicodin , OxyContin , and Opana, were written in the U.S. When used ...

... permanent damage to your health. Read on to learn how the human body reacts to abuse of opiates and heroin. A multitude of health consequences can accompany long-term opiate abuse, but many of the dangers are seen more ... continue reading

Drug Arrests Across America

The Current Drug Landscape An estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12 or over used an illicit drug in 2013. That's 9.4% of the population. 1 The number was similar in 2012 (9.2%), and in that year the FBI reports that there were 1.5 million drug ...

... 2.7 million souls. Chicago, IL In 2013, Chicago had 34,000 drug law violations. Two-thirds involved marijuana, crack, heroin, or cocaine. It's not hard to guess which of those drugs in particular was involved in the most ... continue reading

America’s Drug Awareness

For the first time in a decade , the CDC reported that death rates in the United States have increased. While news outlets trumpet the increased violence rampant in many areas of the country, the public is largely unaware of a silent contributor - ...

... 2015 Drug Threat Assessment released by the DEA, prescription drug use rates are higher than those of cocaine, meth, heroin, MDMA, and PCP combined. The report notes that the U.S. markets for MDMA and PCP are relatively ... continue reading

IV Drug Use: Signs, Dangers, and Treatment

Injection is a method used by individuals who misuse drugs to obtain a quick and powerful effect. 1 Intravenous (IV) injection, or injection into a vein, is the practice referred to throughout this article as IV drug use. Injection into a vein or ...

... it). Common Intravenous Drugs of Abuse Intravenous drug abuse is largely limited to 3 main drug types: heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. 2 However, nearly any type of drug—particularly those that come in tablet or ... continue reading

Effect of Drugs on the Kidneys: How Do Drugs Damage the Kidneys?

Chronic drug and alcohol misuse can lead to severe kidney damage or failure. The damage is not always direct; some substances may indirectly cause harm to the kidneys via biologic events triggered outside of the renal system itself. These secondary ...

... renal damage in a few different ways: Coma due to heroin overdose can lead to rhabdomyolysis, 2 a condition characterized by ... of kidney complications, such as: 2 Sped-up progression of kidney disease in people with high ... continue reading

Sentencing by State 2

have led to overcrowded facilities, skyrocketing prison costs, and major social, economic, and political impacts. Currently, nearly half of all inmates in federal prisons are serving sentences for drug offenses. Many are fathers and mothers who miss ...

... increased in recent years, and that abuse and availability rates are markedly higher in the Western United States. Heroin was the most common in 10 states, while powder cocaine was the most prevalent drug in five states ... continue reading

30 Famous Musicians Who Have Battled Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

1. Ozzy Osbourne Rockstar Ozzy Osbourne has long struggled with addiction. In fact, his heavy alcohol and drug abuse led to him being fired from Black Sabbath in 1978. 2. Kurt Cobain Kurt Cobain got to know his wife Courtney Love while they used ...

... . Yoko Ono Musician Yoko Ono has openly admitted to heroin addiction. She has even claimed that she and John ... 22. Aaron Carter Aaron Carter was pulled over for speeding and possession of two ounces of marijuana in 2008. ... continue reading

Signs and Symptoms of Commonly Abused Drugs

When you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, it's important to know some of the signs and symptoms of addiction to that drug. You can find a brief overview of the major drugs of abuse below. For a full list ...

... to late to help a loved one so contact us at now. Credit: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA/NIH) Heroin Heroin is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs a person can abuse. It is a powerful narcotic that many ... continue reading

Drugs in the News

In a world grappling with issues of substance use and abuse, drugs are bound to see their days in the spotlight of our 24-hour news cycle. Maybe it's because of another tragic celebrity overdose, forcing us to confront the fact that even our heroes ...

... abuse , but the drug was mentioned in these articles that detailed past struggles with addiction. Heroin Heroin is a drug with severe addictive potential and tragic consequences. Its wide-reaching destructive influence ... continue reading

Drugs on Mars and Venus

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is one of the most iconic books of the '90s, having sold more than 50 million copies. Its core theory is that men and women often think and act in dramatically different ways because of fundamental differences ...

... women. For example, men on average first use marijuana one year before women (18.9 versus 19.9), but women try heroin four years, four months earlier than men (26.9 versus 31), despite the fact that men use the drug at a ... continue reading

5 Movies That Will Make You Never Want to Do Drugs Again

Hollywood has a knack for glamorizing controversial subjects and drug use is certainly one of them. Yet for every Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or Trainspotting , there are also those films that will make you never want to touch drugs again. Here ...

... depictions of the drug scene of 1970s New York City. Needle Park takes its name from a popular hangout for heroin users on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where much of the film's action takes place. Pacino's character is ... continue reading

Who Manufacturers All these Crazy Semi-Legal Designer Drugs?

Designer drugs have been subject of much media attention of late, as the Internet has made obtaining them easier than in the past. In many cases, it's simpler to order designer drugs online than to try to obtain street drugs. Designer drugs can be ...

... to try to obtain street drugs. Designer drugs can be just as dangerous if not more so than drugs like heroin, cocaine , and marijuana . Designer drugs are drugs created in a lab to mimic popular drugs. Because they are ... continue reading

Can You Overdose on Painkillers?

Some of the most predominantly prescribed pain management medications are opioid analgesics (painkillers). These prescription drugs interact with opioid receptors throughout the brain, initiating a chain of events that ultimately brings pain relief ...

... the streets—an opioid analgesic 80-100 times more potent than morphine and much more potent than even heroin. Fentanyl has been linked with numerous fatalities in the northeast, and, now, as reported by SFGate.com, has ... continue reading

Famous Drug Abusers

Drug and Alcohol Addiction: A Disease that Touches Everyone According to data from the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 22.7 million Americans need treatment for a drug or alcohol problem. And though it may sound cliché, ...

... office hits, fans were stunned to learn of Hoffman's death in February of 2014. He died from a heroin overdose , despite being in recovery for more than two decades. Reports indicated that Hoffman had slipped back into ... continue reading

How to Help a Morphine Addict

With approximately 52 million people in the U.S. having used prescription drugs nonmedically in their lifetime, widespread addiction to drugs like morphine is increasingly becoming a problem. When someone begins to engage in abuse morphine, it's ...

... treatment right away . Prescription opioid abuse has its own inherent dangers and, alarmingly, can often progresses to heroin use. The Centers for Disease Control Director, Tom Friedan, M.D., M.P.H. indicated in a 2015 ... continue reading

What You Need to Know About ‘Zombie Drug’ Krokodil

Krokodil (Crocodil) is a homemade version of a synthetic drug called desomorphine. As the name deso-morphine suggests, the chemical is in the opiate family and closely mimics the effects of heroin and morphine. Pure desomorphine is a very addictive ...

... are about 100,000 people addicted to the drug. But it is hard to accurately diagnose someone who also abuses heroin because of the similar symptoms. In the U.S. there was a major health scare last year after an Arizona ... continue reading

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