How much heroin is too much?

Rising levels of drug purity in combination with by-products and impurities inadvertently created in the manufacturing process can lead to adverse reactions and overdoses in new and chronic users. Combinations of heroin and other central nervous system depressants like alcohol can intensify the effects by slowing the heart and breathing so much that they stop. Overdose victims may be unconscious with pinpoint pupils, depressed breathing, and clammy skin. They may go into a coma or even die. If an overdose victim is promptly given medical care, emergency medical physicians can administer Narcan (naloxene) to reverse heroin's depressant effects and/or give mechanical assistance to breathe and maintain heartbeat.

Is heroin addictive?

Yes. There is no matter which method is used to consume heroin. The onset of addiction is rapid and severe. Even "recreational users" who limit their use to weekends are not immune from the threat of addiction. Heroin addicts will "crave" more of the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms if they do not get their regular "fix" or dose. Heroin abusers may lose interest in daily activities an report loss of energy and boredom. They may have a hard time limiting their use, may build a tolerance to the drug requiring larger amounts of the drug to get the same effect, and may develop problems with their jobs and personal relationships. Like other drug addictions, heroin can become the most important aspect of their lives. Heroin addicts often have habits that cost $100-$200 a day, which can cause addicts to quickly turn to lives of shoplifting, burglary, theft, drug dealing, and prostitution to support their habits.

Heroine facts

" A persons height, weight, metabolism and the amount/quality of the drug taken are all factors of how long heroin will stay in your system. Heroin can last on average as little as 48 hours in the lighter users and can last up to 5-7 days in others. " The biggest factor is how often you use and the amount you use; the longer you use the longer it takes to leave your body. On average it will stay in your system for 2-4 days. Heavier users will most likely take close to a week. " At this point heroin may be cleaned out of your system, but it will stay in your hair. If you are going through a hair test, heroin use can be detected even if it's months and months ago. Hair has the longest testing time. " Heroin itself, will come up in a urine test 3 to 4 days after using. The metabolytes of heroin will be there for a long time and can be detected several weeks later. Heroin (diacetylmorphine) and its metabolites are detectable.

Page last modified Sun Apr 05 14:04:06 2009.