Heroin is a powder-form drug derived from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy. Because heroin is an opioid, it acts on the brain’s opioid receptors to produce pleasant effects. Notably, opioids are painkillers that reduce pain in the body by enhancing positive chemical messengers like dopamine and norepinephrine. Most opioids have medical usage for severe acute and chronic pain while being carefully monitored for abuse. However, heroin is an illegal drug with no medical purposes. Individuals solely use heroin to enjoy the effects recreationally.
How Long Does Heroin Stay in the Body?
The exact timeline of flushing out heroin depends on a number of factors, including the person and how much heroin they’ve taken. Overall, heroin can stay in your blood, saliva, and urine for roughly three days, and in your hair for three months. If you take heroin, your body will start trying to flush it out of your system, as it’s a toxin that alters your brain functioning. Even still, it takes time for any drug, including heroin, to be removed from your system. There’s no faster way, as it simply takes time for your body to rid itself of lingering substances.
How Long Does Heroin Take to Work?
Heroin is a fast-acting opioid that affects the brain quickly. As for how quickly you can expect to see results, that depends on the method of administration. Injecting liquid heroin sends it directly into your veins, so it rapidly enters your bloodstream. The impact is almost immediate. Smoking heroin also produces quick results, while snorting it has the longest delay.
Heroin Use Statistics
Heroin is an illicit street drug with a reputation as being addictive and intense. People don’t start using heroin for any medical purpose, but strictly source heroin for a high. Thankfully, the stigma around heroin may prevent a lot of people from using it. But unfortunately, millions of people still abuse the drug. An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States use heroin, which is roughly four percent.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction?
Addiction to heroin follows the same general patterns as an addiction to any opioid. It doesn’t take long to develop some kind of tolerance and then dependence. Because heroin reaches the brain quickly, the fast high-and-low cycle increases addiction risk. Some signs and symptoms of heroin dependency are:
- Cravings
- Secretive behavior
- Doctor shopping
- Mood swings
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability
- Changes in appetite
- Loss of interest in anything but opioids
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Inability to quit
- Changes to sleeping patterns
- Disheveled appearance
- Anxiety
- Depression
- High tolerance to your original dose
What Are the Risks of Heroin Abuse?
Abuse of heroin is risky because it can lead to addiction, which can have any or all of the above symptoms. Without a doubt, drug addiction ruins lives, and not just that of the individual but also those who love them. Further, addiction increases the likelihood of overdose. This is when a person takes too much heroin and their body starts shutting down. Drug addiction can either lead to a life with health issues and pain, or an overdose that can lead to death. However, there is a third option, which is healing from addiction through professional help.
Finding Professional Heroin Detox and Rehab
You don’t have to look far to find professional heroin rehab. It includes detox and inpatient/outpatient treatment. With locations spanning the United States, our recovery centers are available to help you overcome heroin addiction.
