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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 -
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 ...
... the method of administration in an attempt to recreate that first high. Why Do People Use Heroin? Heroin's intense high and quick speed of onset are major attractions for users. Curiosity about the drug is also a reason ... continue reading -
Heroin Addiction Treatment Centers and Rehab Programs
Heroin addiction can negatively impact certain aspects of your life and have dangerous health repercussions. Here, we will help you understand heroin addiction, how addiction is treated, and what you should know about heroin rehab centers, including ...
... have walked in the same shoes. It can be helpful to join 12-step groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Heroin Anonymous (HA), or non-12-step groups like SMART Recovery. 1,10,11 Peer recovery counseling . This involves ... 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 -
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 -
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, ...
... withdrawal symptoms keeps many users running back to the drug even when they want to stop. Methods of Heroin Use and Effects Pure heroin can be smoked or snorted , but it is usually injected : Into a vein. Under the skin ... 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 ...
... drug use and build the skills needed to live in recovery. Why Should I Enter a Heroin Detox Program? The risks of continuing heroin use are significant and every hit puts you in danger. Treatment can help you clear your ... 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 -
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 ...
... or the symptoms alleviate, as overdose symptoms may return when the naloxone wears off. Understanding the Heroin Epidemic The recent surge of heroin use in the U.S. has prompted scientists and politicians to search for ... 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 ...
... the first time in 2013—this number has not changed much over the last decade. More than 680,000 people used heroin at some point in 2013—a number that rose steadily from over 370,000 in 2007. A 2015 study published in ... 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 ...
... an estimated 23% will go on to become heroin addicts, making heroin one of the most addictive drugs on the planet ... to manage serious withdrawal symptoms and wean the body completely off the substance. Upon completion of ... 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 ...
... and concentrating, general intelligence and psychomotor speed. 7 What Are the Side Effects ... individual's needs. During medical detox, you may be slowly weaned off of Xanax over the course of several weeks or even months ... continue reading -
12 of the Most Addictive Drugs
Addiction affects millions of lives in the U.S. It is a chronic disease that frequently includes cycles of relapse and remission, and it is progressive without treatment or participation in recovery work. It is characterized by being unable to ...
... increased and the underlying condition worsening. Weaning off of benzos should be done gradually under ... keep using the drug. 20 Heroin Heroin is a very addictive opioid drug. Heroin can cause euphoria, altered sensation ... continue reading -
How to Get Off Suboxone: 3 Steps to Take When Quitting
Approved by the FDA in 2002, buprenorphine—brand name Suboxone and Zubsolv—is now the “go-to” drug for medication-assisted treatment with opiate addiction. Unlike methadone treatment, it can be prescribed by physicians in the comfort of ...
... are weaker than the effects of a full opioid like heroin or methadone. The effects only increase to a certain ... help you set up a plan to carefully wean your body off the drug. Going cold turkey without medical assistance ... continue reading -
You’re Fired: Police Departments Weaning K9’s Off Marijuana
Jobs change with technology, and work tasks evolve with those advancements. New policies and developments often put people out of work. It turns out, people aren't the only ones affected by those changes. Due to new marijuana guidelines , ...
... . Instead, police departments in Oregon and Washington are training their dogs to search for harder drugs, like heroin, meth and cocaine. Retraining Traditionally, law enforcement agencies taught their dogs to sniff out ... continue reading -
Gabapentin Abuse Symptoms, Side Effects, Overdose, & Treatment
What Is Gabapentin Neurontin? Gabapentin Neurontin is an anticonvulsant that comes in a capsule, tablet, and oral solution. It is used to manage certain seizure disorders, as well as the neuropathic pain phenomenon known as post-herpetic neuralgia ...
... that gabapentin is used as a cutting agent in street heroin, increasing the potential for abuse and the development of ... medical detox helps you to slowly wean off gabapentin while under medical supervision. Inpatient ... continue reading -
How to Help an Opiate Addict
Help for Opiate Addicts Opiates are some of the most abused drugs in America, with prescription opiates accounting for up to 5.1 million cases of addiction. Around 210 million doses of opiates, including morphine , OxyContin , and Vicodin , were ...
... buprenorphine; alternatively, you might simply be weaned off opiates altogether. Before beginning the process ... Cocaine Crack Crystal Meth DMT Ecstasy Hashish Heroin Inhalant LSD Ketamine Marijuana Meth Methoxetamine (MXE ... continue reading -
6 Facts You Need to Know About Opiate Withdrawal
The United States has the highest rate of opioid use per capita in the world. As a nation, we consume 80% of the world's opioid supply. 1 In 2014, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 1.9 million people aged 12 or older had a ...
... no standard protocol was in place to help wean individuals off of methadone or other opiates. This means ... within 24 hours of birth for short half-life drugs such as heroin, or be delayed for 7 days or longer for long half ... continue reading -
Concurrent Suboxone and Alcohol Abuse
About Alcohol and Suboxone Alcohol Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance by both teenagers and adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In fact, the CDC found that in any given month, 25% of high ...
... and eventual tapering off of certain opioid substances—used to gradually wean the patient off of opioids altogether, ... abuse. While effective at getting patients off of heroin or prescription opioids, Suboxone can itself ... 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 ...
... or heavier menstrual periods and increased cramping. 2 Heroin and methadone use may also lead to amenorrhea ( ... of methadone or morphine in order to gradually wean them off the drugs. The Agency for Healthcare Research and ... continue reading -
Shackled to a Methadone Clinic
She's been going to the same clinic for five years. Every day, she takes a bus, walks the last two blocks from the bus stop and gets in line for her dose of methadone. Five years ago, Kathy decided she needed help to break her Vicodin addiction. ...
... percent during his decade long treatment, with no plans to wean him off the drug. He's now dependent on methadone. But ... to help people who are addicted to opiates—heroin and OxyContin for example. Patients need just one ... continue reading -
Should We Offer Suboxone in Jails and Prisons?
Of the hundreds of thousands of people entering our country's jails and prisons each year, an estimated 15% are addicted to opiates, according to a 2009 study. However, a majority of these facilities don't provide a single medication or moment of ...
... they pick up right where they left off with pills or heroin—proving forced abstinence to be an ineffective ... Suboxone) , a medication widely used to wean people off opioids by relieving opioid withdrawal symptoms . ... continue reading -
Did the DEA Really Abandon Its Plan to Ban Kratom?
Several years ago, when I was living with my ex-boyfriend, I stumbled upon a package he received. The receipt said it was a bottle of kratom - a word I had never heard of before. A cursory Google search didn't pull up much either, beside the fact it ...
... . It's also used by those trying to wean themselves off opioids or alcohol, since it provides a milder ... the most restrictive drug category, alongside drugs like heroin, ecstasy and LSD. The DEA initially proposed this ... continue reading -
How to Help a Vicodin Addict
Help for Vicodin Addiction Vicodin is one of the many brand names for the combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone . Hydrocodone is an opioid used to treat moderate and severe pain , as well as being a treatment for coughs. The acetaminophen is ...
... A period of medically supervised detox will wean the user off the substance while managing symptoms and making ... Cocaine Crack Crystal Meth DMT Ecstasy Hashish Heroin Inhalant LSD Ketamine Marijuana Meth Methoxetamine (MXE ... continue reading -
Opiate Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms and Treatment
Opiates—sometimes interchangeably referred to as opioids and narcotics—are a broad class of drugs. They are widely used legally and abused illicitly, and include many substances that are synthesized from a handful of opiate precursors found in ...
... found in the opium poppy, such as: 1,2 Heroin . Codeine . Morphine . Hydrocodone ( Vicodin ). Oxycodone ... level of use, detox may focus on slowly weaning a person off an opioid or switching to another opioid like methadone ... continue reading -
Heroin Use Increasing Across New Demographics, Study Finds
The face of heroin in the US is changing. As the drug becomes more commonly abused among new racial, geographic and socioeconomic groups, the profile of those users is also evolving. The change is, in part, because heroin is becoming more ...
... They were also more likely to have gotten in trouble with the law. Group #2 Those who used both heroin and prescription painkillers reported more mental health problems and were more likely to visit the ER than either of ... continue reading -
DEA: Heroin ‘Probably’ More Dangerous Than Marijuana
With 23 states and Washington D.C. legalizing medical marijuana and four states legalizing it for recreational use, it's quite possible we'll see a day when marijuana is considered “legal” throughout the U.S. However, the Drug Enforcement ...
... a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical benefits. In other words, it's in the same category as heroin and crack cocaine . Even the staunchest anti-drug supporters have hard a time putting pot on equal footing ... continue reading -
The Price Tag of Heroin in America: $51 Billion
If you're hooked on heroin, you'll spend an average of $150 a day to support your habit. That's nearly $55,000 per year. Heroin abuse comes with a pretty hefty price tag, unfortunately personal financial burden isn't the only cash-flow issue left in ...
... your habit. That's nearly $55,000 per year. Heroin abuse comes with a pretty hefty price tag, unfortunately ... 11,148 per person. At more than $50K per user, heroin's cost blows those two diseases out of the water. The U ... continue reading -
Prescription Opiates: As Addictive as Heroin?
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 21.5 million Americans aged 12 and older met the criteria for substance use disorder in 2014. Of these, 1.9 million were addicted to prescription opiate pain medications and 586,000 ...
... opioid pain medications has increased from 76 million in 1991 to almost 207 million in 2013. 2 In the past decade, heroin use has more than doubled in young adults between the ages of 18-25 years old. 4 From 2000 to 2010 ... continue reading -
Chicken vs. Egg: Which Came First, Heroin or OxyContin Addiction?
For centuries, people have debated one age old question: which came first, the chicken or the egg? While both sides of this argument have their valid points, the question itself has evolved, making its way into other areas of society, including the ...
... sever a patient's access to legal opioid painkillers or an addict can no longer afford to buy pills off the streets, they often transition to heroin. On the flip side of that argument, a lot of people who are addicted to ... continue reading -
Heroin Relapse Warning Signs, Prevention, and Addiction Treatment
Heroin Relapse Is Common Heroin addiction is very powerful, and heroin's interaction with opioid receptors and its reinforcing influence on your brain's reward centers result in such profound feelings of euphoria and pleasure that it sometimes feels ...
... Engage in positive activities that take your mind off using. You might consider exercise, getting out of ... plan can help you identify and manage the signs of heroin relapse before things get worse. You can implement some ... continue reading -
Free Heroin Addiction Hotline Numbers
Call American Addiction Centers (AAC) now at What Is a Heroin Hotline Number? Heroin addiction is a very hard challenge to overcome alone. This is why doctors, mental health professionals, and support group members advocate seeking help if you ...
... one in rehab? Regain control of your life today and call us at . Why Should I Call a Heroin Helpline Number? Calling a heroin helpline does not mean you must commit to anything. All it means is that you are ready to get ... continue reading -
Why Is Heroin So Deadly Today?
For more than a century, heroin has been a dangerous drug of abuse. For years, people have been attracted to the substance's ability to produce a relatively inexpensive, rapid-onset, and intensely euphoric high. 1,2 While the drug's high holds a ...
... can happen to any user at any time and on any use of the drug . Whether it is their first use of heroin or the person has a long history with the substance, the next hit could be the last. There is no way for a person ... 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 -
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. ...
... crave the drug several hours after your last dose. Yawning and perspiration can last 8 to 15 hours after the last heroin use and may get worse over the course of a couple days. Within 16 to 24 hours after your last use ... continue reading -
Record-Breaking Number of Overdoses Traced Back to Bad Heroin
A dangerous batch of heroin circulating throughout the city of Chicago has caused a record-breaking 74 overdoses in the span of just three days. When the numbers began to climb at such an astonishing rate, medical professionals began to suspect a ...
... . Combined, these two drugs prompt body systems to not only slow down, but grind to a halt. The heroin/fentanyl combo is also one that sets in quickly. Effects are felt almost instantly and collapse occurs in a matter of ... continue reading -
A Sister’s Honest Talk About Her Brother’s Heroin Addiction
Alex didn't answer the phone. He missed their father's birthday party and still wasn't answering. But Allison kept dialing. It didn't seem right, but then again, things hadn't seemed “right” for a long time. Alex had all but stopped showing up ...
... Did Everything Go Wrong? It was just a few months later when she got the call. Alex had been arrested for heroin possession . She sat up late with her husband, the window was open as the North Carolina air blew in. How ... 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 ...
... on Staten Island, overdoses from opioid pills leveled off during the same time period, with 215 ... 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 ... 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 -
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 ...
... ; when it's mixed with cocaine, it can rot the very flesh off your face . Even seemingly harmless cutting agents like the sugars often found in heroin can result in complaints ranging from nausea to diarrhea. There's no ... 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 ...
... 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 in both ... 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 -
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 -
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 ...
... Beans Clarity Disco Biscuit E Eve Molly Lover's Speed Peace STP X XTC Uppers Street Names for Mescaline ... Morpho Unkie White Stuff Oxycodone Oxycodone : Hillbilly Heroin Kicker O.C Oxycet Oxycotton Oxy Percs Roxy ... continue reading -
Snorting Fentanyl
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, ...
... the danger rises. The speed of onset. Intensity. Duration of effects. Speed of onset. Snorting fentanyl ... frequently laced with other drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. In these situations, the user is unprepared for the ... 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 ...
... , which, when in crystal solid form, is referred to as base, crystal, d-meth, fast, glass, ice, meth, speed, whiz, pure, or wax. Methamphetamine , which, when in liquid form, is referred to as leopard's blood, liquid red ... continue reading -
New Study: Amphetamine Abuse and This Old Heart
It's called speed for a reason. Amphetamines, like Ritalin or Adderall, accelerate your heart rate. They send your nervous system into overdrive. Guess what else it speeds up? The aging process. That's right. Pumping your system full of amphetamine ...
... Ritalin or Adderall, accelerate your heart rate. They send your nervous system into overdrive. Guess what else it speeds up? The aging process. That's right. Pumping your system full of amphetamine makes you get older ... continue reading -
Snorting Tramadol
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, ...
... depends on how quickly the substance enters the bloodstream. In the case of tramadol, snorting will increase the speed at which the substance's effects are felt compared to ingesting the medication in pill form 6,7 . ... 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 ...
... while others are classified as enzyme inhibitors, which reduce the speed at which a drug is broken down. In many cases, ... . Anabolic steroids. Recreational and illicit drugs: Heroin . 13 Inhalants . 14 Cocaine . 15 ... continue reading -
4 Hangover “Cures” You Need to Ignore
The lights are too bright. The noises are too loud. Your head's spinning. Your stomach's in turmoil. No, it's not the flu. You have a hangover. You had a few too many yesterday, and now you're paying for it. Beware the Miracle Remedy So, what can ...
... it. It does so at roughly one drink per hour. Coffee doesn't speed up this detoxification, it just makes you wide awake for the process. Wash it off: Surely a brisk shower will send a shock to your system that helps you ... 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 ...
... heroin is ingested, respiratory depression—oftentimes the cause of death with heroin overdoses—can occur once the effects of cocaine wear off ... 's risk of addiction and the speed at which addiction develops. Secondly, ... 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 ... inflamed, other sites on the body may be used. 21 Heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are some of the most commonly ... 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 ... your discomfort temporarily. When the previous dose wears off, you must take more to maintain your relief. ... continue reading -
Drug Abuse: The Oral Health Kryptonite
It's February and we've all celebrated Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day and even President's day. So, that's basically it for February, right? Well…actually it isn't. February is also National Dental Health Month, making this a great time to promote ...
... ” like speed or ecstasy . They cause severe tooth decay, jaw-clenching and dry mouth. Heroin: Heroin belongs to ... what's the bottom line? Well, if you want to show off your healthy and bright smile…don't do drugs! Let's ... 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 -
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 -
Taking Action: How to Intervene During an Overdose
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accident death in the United States. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), 43,982 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2013 across the nation. That's two times the amount of overdose deaths a ...
... Overdose While overdosing on stimulants ( cocaine , speed, methamphetamine ) is not as deadly, statistically ... and the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports heroin-related deaths have increased five-fold over the last ... 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 ...
... abuse wrong because of its potency; it's more powerful than speed or coke weight for weight, so it's easy to accidentally ... treatment aims to help you get off the drug and stay off it. First, you'll likely undergo ... 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 ... medications designed to help people taper off of drugs such as heroin , there are no medications approved ... 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 -
3 Devastatingly Dangerous Alcohol-Drug Combos
According to statistics compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), roughly 25% of substance-related emergency room admissions involve a combination of both drugs and alcohol. Poly-Drug Abuse Although heavily ...
... Much like benzodiazepines, illegal opiates like heroin and prescription opioids (OxyContin, Vicodin, ... to an extent. In other words, stimulants ( cocaine , speed , meth , Ritalin , Adderall ) mask the depressive effects ... continue reading -
Snorting Percocet
Percocet is a prescription opioid containing both oxycodone and acetaminophen. While it is an effective pain reliever, as a Schedule II controlled drug it has a high potential for abuse due to the oxycodone in it. Oxycodone is a semisynthetic opioid ...
... eventually, the brain at different rates—affecting the speed of onset and peak intensity of the high. ... to bring about a euphoric high is similar to that of heroin, which helps to explain why it can be so addictive. The ... continue reading -
Anxiety and Substance Abuse: Treating Mental Health Issues and Addiction
It can be difficult to manage an anxiety disorder or a substance use disorder, and it can be even more difficult to manage both disorders when they co-occur together. When a mental health disorder—such as an anxiety disorder—and a substance use ...
... Both marijuana and stimulants cause the heart rate to speed up, which can mimic physical symptoms of anxiety and ... you may not be formally diagnosed until you have been off substances for a period of time. 15 Once you are ... continue reading -
How to Stay Productive at Work While Still in Recovery
We live in a very competitive society when it comes to finding a job and keeping it. Even for a person that's never tasted a drop of alcohol, it's still a challenge to find a good job and get accepted into a workplace. It becomes even worse when ...
... with your addiction, getting back to work can often actually help speed up your recovery; working gives you a sense of purpose and keeps your mind off of unhealthy thoughts. By integrating yourself back into a working ... 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 ...
... engaging in unsafe sex while high. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also reports that methamphetamine use may speed up the progression of HIV/AIDS and worsen symptoms of the disease. In some cases, dangerous and life ... 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 -
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 ...
... mind and reduction of anxiety. People with sped-up or racing thoughts will report slowed thinking and ... seek out the needed help. It is possible to get off clonazepam and live a productive and happy life without the drug. ... 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 -
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 ...
... dextroamphetamine . These ingredients work to stimulate and speed up the body. Doctors use this drug ... provided by a treatment center does more than just get you off Adderall—it also teaches you the skills you need to live ... 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 -
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 ...
... sold on the black market under many different 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 ... 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 ...
... substance, Adderall is referred to by a variety of street names, including “black beauties,” “uppers,” and “speed.” 1 Adderall is classified as a schedule II controlled substance because of its high potential for abuse ... 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 ...
... it to get the alcohol out of the breast milk quickly—also known as “pumping and dumping.” This practice does not speed the removal of alcohol from the breast milk. Rather, it may be used to get rid of alcohol-laden milk ... 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 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 ...
... heart rate, disrupting its rhythm by causing it to speed up or beat irregularly. Worse, it can lead to ... have adverse effects on the body's ability to fight off illness or infection, because it diminishes white blood cells' ... continue reading -
Snorting Valium—Effects, Overdose, and Addiction Treatment
Valium is a prescription sedative medication that falls into the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. 1 Also available as generic diazepam, Valium is prescribed in pill form to treat anxiety and panic symptoms. 1,2 When Valium is taken as ...
... and better high, since in some cases snorting drugs can speed up and intensify their effects. However, it is unclear ... who monitor symptoms, gradually taper people off of Valium, and provide seizure prophylaxis when ... 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 ...
... may be at even greater risk of addiction than those abusing it by oral routes because of the intensely rewarding speed of onset and strength of effects. Generally, addiction is seen as the repeated use and abuse of a ... 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 ...
... available in the body whether the substance was snorted or taken orally. 3 In reality, snorting Vyvanse does not speed up or intensify effects . This is likely due to the chemical formation of Vyvanse, which requires the ... 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 ...
... , the effects of the substance are modified. With many substances, there is a direct relationship between the speed of onset and the strength of the drug effects. Effects that are slower to develop will last longer ... 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. ...
... for abuse and dependence, and the experience of generations of people who have become addicted to “speed” since the 1930s. Additionally, the performance benefits that are so often associated with these drugs are ... continue reading -
Gray Death: The New Killer on the Street
While heroin adulterated with fentanyl has been in the news in recent years and the risks are well-known, there is a new danger on the streets, and it's even deadlier. It is a frighteningly powerful combination of heroin and synthetic opioids known ...
... . Later in his shift, the officer brushed the powder off with his hand. Unaware that he had touched fentanyl, ... 's in the batch), someone trying to take the amount of heroin they are used to taking can die in minutes. 5,7 ... 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 ...
... an overview of major substances that are taken off or prevented from reaching the street each year ... . Seven states have passed new marijuana laws, and a heroin epidemic continues to claim more lives each year than ever ... 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 ...
... in the U.S. to have a bottle of pills. 7 We searched CDC's data for records that showed heroin and an opioid analgesic in decedents' systems at the time of their death and found the following dramatic increase between ... continue reading -
How Concerned Should We Be About Opiates?
Opiates are a group of drugs that manage pain by depressing the central nervous system (CNS). There are two different kinds of opiates: natural and synthetic. Natural opiates come from the dried “milk” of the poppy plant and include opium, ...
... synthetic. Natural opiates come from the dried “milk” of the poppy plant and include opium, morphine, and codeine. Heroin, for example, is made from the sap-like opium of poppy plants. Once cultivated, the opium resin is ... continue reading -
The 9 Most Expensive Drugs in America
Each year, Americans spend nearly $100 billion on illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These figures do not even account for the billions of dollars that are spent on prescription drugs each year—about $374 billion according ...
... costs of using marijuana include a higher risk of heart attack, lung disease, anxiety, and depression. #6 Heroin Heroin has a reputation as a “cheap” drug, and a shocking truth is that many prescription drug users switch ... continue reading -
Trafficking Statistics
Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States, and individuals seeking to abuse drugs generally have little trouble finding those substances. Abuse of prescription and nonprescription opioids continues to be the public health crisis of our ...
... of opium poppy fields in 2014, compared to 14,419 hectares in 2013. 2 Between 2010 to 2015, the number of heroin seizures on the border of the United States and Mexico more than doubled. 1 The problem doesn't stop with ... 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 ...
... trying to soothe an infant. 9. Glyco-Heroin (Smith) Although heroin had already been invented in 1874 , the pharmaceutical ... At the time, the promise of an off-the-shelf, easy to take, mutli-therapeutic drug apparently ... 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 ...
... learn how the human body reacts to abuse of opiates and heroin. A multitude of health consequences can accompany long-term opiate ... in microembolism or clots, which can cut off blood flow and cause progressive damage to ... continue reading -
The Rise of Drug Deaths in America
This year, drug overdose deaths surpassed firearm deaths for the first time, making the issue of addiction and drug abuse an even greater concern for Americans . The public is aware of the numbers associated with overdose deaths; however, big ...
... deaths would surpass Alzheimer's forecasted death toll. While it is possible that heroin deaths may taper off with the current initiatives aimed at preventing addiction and efforts to ease access to treatment, these ... 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 ...
... the 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 ... continue reading -
How Does Ibogaine Treat Opiate Addiction?
Holly started using heroin when she was 18 - at 26, she was at the end of the line. Her whole life revolved around getting high. In the past, she had tried 12-step programs, counseling, in-patient rehab, and even drug-assisted therapy…it seemed ...
... , in-patient rehab, and even drug-assisted therapy…it seemed nothing could help. Would she always be addicted to heroin? Was there anything she hadn't tried? During her most recent rehab stay, one of the other patients ... continue reading -
Harm Reduction
The concept of 'harm reduction' refers to a set of policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the health, social, and economic consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. 1,2 Strategies might include providing a safe environment for heroin use ...
... a person to stay healthy until they can achieve a drug-free life. Reducing the use of illicit opioids ( heroin ) and/or the non-medical use of prescription opioids . Reducing the dangers of drug use, such as contracting ... 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 -
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 ...
... Krokodil. Crocodile. Croc. Krok. Russian Magic. Poor Man's Heroin. The name “krokodil” is thought to either derive from the ... black, grey, green, and scabby and can flake off—resembling the skin of a reptile or crocodile at ... 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 ...
... ). Mainlining (injection into a major vein). Getting off (injecting). Booting (drawing blood back and re- ... abuse is largely limited to 3 main drug types: heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. 2 However, nearly any type ... 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 -
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
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