Drugs A to Z

Heroin

aka: smack, junk, brown, china white, scag, H, scat, horse

What is it?

Heroin is made from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy. When heroin is pure, it is a white crystalline powder, but when it is sold on the streets, it is a brown or browny white colour due to what it is cut with. Heroin is an analgesic (a strong pain killer).

How is it used?

It can be cooked in water and injected, or smoked. ‘Chasing the Dragon’ is when heroin is smoked off tin foil.

What are the effects?

• Heroin creates a feeling of relaxation.
• It gives relief from and stops physical and psychological pain.
• You get a rush or buzz a few minutes after taking it.
• When you take larger doses, you feel sleepy and relaxed.
• When you first use, you can feel dizzy and vomit.
• Heroin is physically and psychologically addictive.
• You have to use more and more just to feel normal.
• After 8 – 12 hours from the last dose, you start to withdraw. Withdrawal causes sweating, nervousness, insomnia and often sickness.

What are the risks?

• You can overdose on heroin.
• Your body builds up tolerance to the drug, so you need to take more and more.
• Your moods become unstable.
• You can become constipated.
• Your sex drive can become reduced.
• People have chocked on their own vomit, as heroin stops the body's cough reflex.
• You can damage your veins.
• Getting off heroin is difficult

Detox

Our nurses can advise you on how to get off heroin. We offer a detox service and we can detox you in a safe way over a period of time. If you would like information, advice or just a chat, please ring 01452 503186. GINI will support you through your detox episode, so you will not be alone.

Injecting

If you are injecting, there is a greater risk of overdosing and injecting brings on many other problems, e.g. vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. If you use dirty needles, you are at risk from HIV and hepatitis. Use needle exchanges to get clean needles; phone 01452 503186 or 01452 381166 to find your local needle exchange.

How much is it?

Heroin can cost £50 per gram

Heroin is a Class A substance

The Law

Staying Safe

1. Avoid every day use.
2. Beware variable strengths and adulterants, especially if injecting.
3. Maintain daily routine, sleep and diet patterns.
4. Smoke, don’t inject.
5. If you do inject beware infections through sharing injecting equipment (syringes, needles, spoons etc)
6. If you have a break from use and return to use later remember that your tolerance will have fallen off. Amounts you used to take safely could now lead to fatal overdose.
7. Do not take with other drugs especially other depressants (including alcohol)
8. Seek alternatives such as prescription or oral methadone if available.