Heroin Addiction and its Risks

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid that is produced from Morphine. Morphine is a natural product of the opium poppy plant that is grown in parts of South America and Asia. Heroin, upon consumption binds to the opioid receptors in the brain on cells that are responsible for the following:

• Feelings of Pleasure and Pain
• Controlling Breathing, Sleeping and Heart rate

Users abusing Heroin experience a euphoric rush of happiness. It can slow down a user’s breathing and heart rate and block feelings of pain in the body. An overdose of Heroin can be fatal as it can stop a user’s breathing and lead to death. Like any other drug, Heroin use over a prolonged period of time can build a tolerance and a user abusing Heroin will need to consume a larger quantity of Heroin to feel the same high as before. 

“Brown Sugar” or “Smack”

Heroin that’s in circulation currently is available as a white or a brown powder or a sticky black substance. In India, the largest circulated type of Heroin is “Brown Sugar” or “Smack”. It is priced from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500 per gram making it the cheapest form of Heroin in India. Chemically, “Brown Sugar” or “Smack” is Heroin adulterated with baking soda and other substances. Heroin can also be mixed with other toxic drugs such as fentanyl that can make it extremely dangerous and fatal.

The “Golden Crescent”

Close to 7500 tonnes of Opium was produced in the year 2020. Out of this, close to 1500 tonnes was consumed as Opium and over 500 tonnes was consumed as heroin that was produced from the Opium. Close to 85 percent of the total Opium produced globally originates from Afganistan and surrounding areas such as Pakistan and Iran. Together they form the “Golden Crescent” that is the leading supplier of Opium in the world today. A recent study estimates that there are close to 20 million Heroin users in India although the real numbers are likely to be much higher.

Risk of Opioid Painkillers

Globally there’s been an increase in the abuse of prescription painkillers. A major portion of these painkillers contain Opioids and thus are referred to as Opioid Painkillers. They are similar to Heroin in chemical composition as they too contain Opioids derived from the Opium Poppy. Those abusing Opioid Painkillers eventually end up abusing Heroin as it is stronger and hence more intoxicating. Research also shows that those abusing gateway drugs such as Marijuana or Ganja are 5 times more likely to end up using Heroin. Over 3/4th of all Heroin users suffer from mental heath issues such as anxiety, depression, bi-polar or attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder.

Long-term effects of Heroin

Prolonged, consistent use of Opioid drugs such as Heroin, Black Sugar or Smack can result in an addiction. And those suffering from a Heroin addiction will experience moderate to severe withdrawal when they abstain from Heroin. Long-term use of Heroin can lead to lung, liver, kidney and heart diseases. Several mental health disorders can also be triggered by Heroin or Opioid use. Since Heroin is usually injected into veins – collapsed veins, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A/B are common among Heroin addicts.