HEROINJaclyn BecotteFebruary 16th, 2016

“In 2011, 4.2 million Americans aged 12 or older had used heroin at least once in their lives.”

WHAT IS IT? It is an opioid drug It is synthesized from morphine

Which is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the opium poppy plant

Appearance: White or black powder Or a black sticky substance called “black tar

heroin”

HOW IS HEROIN USED? Heroin can be injected, inhaled, or smoked

People who inject heroin are at a high risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis C (HVC)

These diseases are transmitted when sharing needles

HOW DOES THE ADDICTION DEVELOP? The first step is often prescription opioid pain

medication Such as OxyContin and Vicodin Which are the most commonly abused drugs in

the U.S. 50% of young people who inject heroin reported

abusing prescription opioids before starting heroin After abusing prescription drugs, heroin is often the

next step because it is cheaper and easier to obtain

HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HEROIN USE

1. Fatal overdose2. Spontaneous abortion3. Infectious diseases (like hepatitis and HIV) 4. Collapsed veins5. Infection of the heart lining and valves6. Abscesses7. Constipation and gastrointestinal cramping8. Liver or kidney disease9. Pulmonary complications (types of pneumonia)

OPIOID RECEPTORS Heroin is converted back to morphine as it enters the

brain The morphine then binds to opioid receptors The receptors are located in many areas of the

brain, especially those involved: With the perception of pain And in reward

Opioid receptors are also located on the brain stem Which controls automatic processes critical for life

Such as: blood pressure, arousal, and respiration (breathing)

HEROIN OVERDOSES Frequently involve a suppression of breathing This can affect the amount of oxygen that reaches

the brain A condition called hypoxia Hypoxia can have short and long term

psychological and neurological effects including coma and permanent brain damage

LONG TERM EFFECTS Opioid addiction has long term effects on the brain which results

in: (1) Tolerance

which occurs when more of the drug is needed to achieve the same initial intensity and effect

(2) Dependence The need to continue the use of a drug to avoid withdrawal

symptoms

*Studies have shown some deterioration of the brain’s white matter after long term use which may affect decision-making abilities, the ability to regulate

behavior, and responses to stressful situations.

HEROIN DEPENDENCE Heroin dependence is a chronically relapsing disorder

that has been characterized by a compulsion to seek and use heroin despite negative consequences

After detoxification, a high percentage of heroin‐dependent patients suffer a relapse into daily drug use

HEROIN USE LINKED TO PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS Affective disorders have been frequently described in heroin

addicts Studies have indicated that individuals who regularly use

heroin are at risk for elevated levels of anxiety High levels of anxiety and stress have been found to be

associated with drug craving and drug use Studies have connected heroin craving and negative emotions

in heroin dependence The negative emotions were suppressed directly after

heroin use

TREATMENT Behavioral therapies and medications are effective at helping patients stop

using heroin and return to stable and productive lives Medications include: buprenorphine and methadone

both of which work by binding to the same cell receptors as heroin but more weakly

help a person wean off the drug and reduce craving

Naltrexone Which blocks opioid receptors, preventing the drug from having an effect

Naloxone (Narcan) used as an emergency treatment to counteract the effects of heroin

overdose.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: Should there be stricter regulations for prescribing

OxyContin and Vicodin to patients?

REFERENCES• National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heroin Retrieved from

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin on February 9, 2016

•

Blum, J., Gerber, H., Gerhard, U., Schmid, O., Petitjean, S., Riecher‐Rössler, A., & ... Walter, M. (2013). Acute effects of heroin on emotions in heroin‐dependent patients. The American Journal On Addictions, 22(6), 598-604. doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12025.x