HEROIN

ADDICTION & REHAB

WHAT IS HEROIN?
A highly
addictive Obtained from
and illegal the opium
drug poppy plant

Derived from Far deadlier

morphine than other
drugs

HOW IS HEROIN USED?

MOST COMMON METHODS

Injecting Snorting- Smoking

9 out of 10
Sniffing Heroin users also use
HEROIN HIGH PRODUCED another drug.

STREET NAMES
Intravenous by Injection Smack H Horse
Instant

Intramuscular Injection Brown Sugar Black Tar

A Few Minutes

Snorting & Smoking Dope White lady

15 Minutes Max.

Some people mix heroin with Girl/Boy Big H Hell Dust

cocaine, a practice called
speed balling.

WHAT DOES HEROIN LOOK LIKE?

Heroin comes in many forms:

• White Powder
• Brown Powder
• Black & Sticky (Black Tar)

IS HEROIN AN OPIOID?
Opioids include:
OPIOIDS • Heroin
• Fentanyl (Synthetic Opioid)
are a class of drugs
• Prescription Painkillers

Prescription Painkillers:

Oxycontin Vicodin Morphine

(Oxycodone) (Hydrocodone) Codeine

HEROIN EPIDEMIC
The heroin user population
RIP and overdose deaths are Heroin poses a serious
continuing to rise at an and increasing threat to
aggressive rate. the United States.

948,000
people reported
using heroin in
2016. 60%

Reports of heroin Increase in heroin users among all

use tripled from income levels between years 2002
2007 to 2014. to 2004 and 2011 to 2013.

HOW LONG DOES HEROIN STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM?

For chronic users, heroin may linger in the
system longer periods of time.

Generally, heroin can remain in the system

for a matter of days.

Up to

1.5 1-3 90
Saliva Urine Hair

Common Heroin
Heroin Addiction Addiction Symptoms:

Health Intense
Problems Cravings

Use Interferes with Work,

Home or Academic
Responsibilities

Failed Attempts to Quit or

Reduce Use
626,000
people were living with
a heroin use disorder Spends Most of Time-
in 2016. Getting and Using Heroin

Use often lead to tolerance Continues Use Despite Adverse

development. -Negative Consequences

Tolerance requires increased

amounts and great frequency Use of Larger Amounts
of doses to get high.

Longer Periods of Use

Than Intended

Experience of Withdrawal

SIGNS OF HEROIN USE

Presence of Drug Appearance-Hygiene
Paraphernalia Not Kept Up

Missing Money or Unusual-Secretive

Valuable Items Behavior

Change of Social
Track Marks
Circle & Hobbies

Criminal Problems Financial Issues

Unexplained Neglect of
Absences Responsibilities

HEROIN EFFECTS
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM
• Euphoria • Insomnia
• Dry Mouth • Stomach Cramps
• Flush Skin • Constipation
• Limb Heaviness • Kidney & Liver Disease
• Vomiting & Nausea • Lung Complications
• Itchiness • Abscesses
• Clouded Mental Function • Damaged Nasal Tissue
• In-And-Out of • Collapsed Veins
Consciousness • Infection in Heart
Aka “Nodding Out” Valves and Lining
• Mental Disorders
• Menstrual Irregularity
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Death by Accident,
Violence or Suicide

Additives can lead to

permanent damage of:
RISKS
Lungs
Injection drug use related infectious
diseases:

Liver

HIV Hepatitis Kidneys

Heroin containing additives,

such as starch or sugar is Brain
known to clog blood vessels.

HEROIN OVERDOSE
Heroin overdose is extremely dangerous and often results in:

Slow Unresponsiveness Respiratory Bluish Skin Due

Breathing Failure to Poor Circulation

Varied Mental Nervous System Permanent Brain Coma & Death

Effects Damage Damage

HEROIN DEATHS
Heroin overdose deaths
From 2002-2013, are increasing in many
Heroin overdose deaths cities and counties
quadrupled. across the U.S.

In 2013, U.S. states reported Fentanyl is more powerful

a spike in overdose deaths than heroin and will cause
from fentanyl- laced heroin. even long-time users to
overdose.

HEROIN WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

6-8 3-4
Hours After Last Use Days After Use
Withdrawal Begins Symptoms Peak

When addicted to heroin stopping use causes severe withdrawals.

• Flu-like symptoms • Tremors
• Restlessness • Stomach Pain
• Bone-Muscle Pain • Vomiting
• Sleep Disturbances • Diarrhea
• Panic • Hot-Cold Flashes
• Insomnia • Strong Cravings

HEROIN WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

More people seek treatment for heroin
addiction than for any other illicit drug.

In 2011:
306,000
received methadone
at opioid treatment
centers.

300,000
51%
people received
of opioid treatment
medication-assisted
centers offered
treatment for opioid
buprenorphine.
addiction.

MEDICATIONS THERAPY METHODS

• Buprenorphine • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Methadone (CBT)
• Naltrexone • Contingency Management
• Individual – Group
Counseling

HEROIN DRUG REHAB

• Heroin is extremely difficult to quit, and rehab is
essential for recovery.

• Treatment portions of rehab begin after

detoxification.

26%
of rehab admits identify heroin as their primary
drug of abuse (SAMHSA, 2015).

INPATIENT OUTPATIENT
• Short-term Residential • Intensive Day Treatment
• Long-term Residential • Individual & Group Counseling
• Partial Hospitalization • Support Groups

In 2016:

23% 43%
received treatment attended support groups
at an inpatient rehab • Narcotics Anonymous
• Heroin Anonymous

HEROIN REHAB DURING PREGNANCY

• Untreated heroin addiction during pregnancy can be
devastating for unborn babies.

• Methadone and buprenorphine are used in treatment

of pregnant women.

Benefits:
• Stabilized fetal opioid levels
• Reduced prenatal withdrawal
• Link to treatment for infectious diseases
• Decrease risk of transmission to unborn baby
• Quality prenatal care

(877) 322-2450 FIND REHAB CENTERS

FINDREHABCENTERS.ORG

Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/heroin/index.html
https://www.dea.gov/resource-center/2016%20NDTA%20Summary.pdf
https://www.dea.gov/divisions/hq/2016/hq062716_attach.pdf
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/treating-opioid-use-disorder-during-pregnancy/treating-opioid-use-disorder-during-pregnancy
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2016/NSDUH-FFR1-2016.htm