When people ask "what is marijuana," they're probably not inquiring about the many industrial preparations made from the cannabis plant.The answer to, "What is marijuana?" typically refers to a product from which to become intoxicated (get high).

Marijuana, sometimes spelled marihuana (its Mexican Spanish spelling), is a psychoactive drug that has been used for thousands of years. The active drugs within marijuana are known as cannabinoids. Information on marijuana shows the most common cannabinoid within marijuana is named delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC.¹

More detailed information on marijuana facts and statistics.

What is Marijuana? - Information on Marijuana Forms

Marijuana can take many forms but all forms originate from the female cannabis plant. Information on marijuana indicates marijuana can be seen as:

• Unprocessed - the dried flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant
• Kief - powder resin glands from the cannabis plant, rich in cannabinoids
• Hashish (hasheesh, hashish) - a concentrated resin from the flowers
• Hach oil - a potent oil and resin compound extracted from the cannabis by a solvent
• Residue (resin) - tar built-up on the insides of items used to smoke marijuana

What is Marijuana? - Marijuana Use Information

According to marijuana information, smoking is the most common way to use marijuana. Marijuana is typically rolled into paper joints or tobacco leaf blunts, or smoked in small pipes. Information on marijuana indicates it is also often smoked through a bong, which is similar to a portable hookah, with a water chamber.

Information on marijuana use also shows marijuana can be consumed:

• By vaporizer - a device that heats marijuana to very high temperatures to allow the active drug to be inhaled rather than smoked
• Orally - only after cannabis has been heated or dehydrated, making the psychoactive drugs available to the body (read: marijuana effects on body)
• Via tea or tincture

What is Marijuana? - Hemp and Marijuana Information

According to the Random House Dictionary, hemp is defined as a "tall coarse plant, Cannabis sativa," and is a synonym for marijuana. Hemp is also defined as the tough fibers of the cannabis plant.² Further, marijuana is also defined as the "dried leaves and females flowers of the hemp plant."³

While these definitions are technically true, marijuana information indicates that in common usage, marijuana refers to the plant from which people get high, whereas hemp is the fibrous stalks grown for the making of hemp products like rope. The hemp used for industrial purposes cannot be used to get intoxicated.

What is Marijuana? - Information on Marijuana Street Names

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world so it's not surprising that marijuana information shows a huge number of street names for the drug. Information on marijuana indicates street names are regional, but some common street names include:

• Pot
• Weed
• Dank
• Gange
• Mary Jane
• Jane
• Hash - short for hashish
• Butane honey old (or BHO) - hash oil

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As is the case for all illegal drugs, there are many other names for heroin. Slang for heroin and other drugs was partly developed to hide heroin use discussions from others, and partly developed organically in reference to the drug culture itself.

Street names for heroin and slang for heroin tend to be regional, but some of the street names for heroin include:

• Gear
• Number 8 (for the eighth letter of the alphabet, 'h')
• Chiva
• Brownstone
• Murder 1
• Smack
• China white - a very pure form of heroin
• Dr. Feelgood (also refers to a doctor who is willing to overprescribe drugs)
• Dope (although can also refer to other drugs like cannabis)
• Junk (common to all "hard" drugs)
• Caballo (Spanish slang)

Slang for Heroin - Chasing the Dragon

The phrase "chasing the dragon" is actually a slang phrase of Cantonese origin. "Chasing the dragon" refers to inhaling the vapor (the dragon) from heated heroin, morphine or opium. Specifically, the term "chasing the dragon" refers to the way in which a heroin user keeps the heated, liquid drug moving so it does not form into a single mass.¹

"Chasing the dragon" is also commonly used metaphorically. When a heroin addict seeks to re-experience the same high as the first time they used heroin, they are said to be "chasing the dragon" - a high they will never again experience.

"Chasing the dragon" should not be confused with "chasing the white dragon" as the latter refers to smoking methamphetamine.

Slang for Heroin - Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is actually not heroin, as such. Black tar heroin is synthesized from morphine, like heroin, but black tar heroin is created in a simpler way resulting in an unrefined and crude opium product. Black tar heroin puts users at greater risk for life-threatening infections and vein collapse than heroin.² Black tar heroin mostly comes from Mexico. (See How is Heroin Made)

Black tar heroin is also known as:

• Black
• Brown
• The letter "b" or "h"
• Tar
• Goma
• Mexican mud

Slang for Heroin - Associated Names for Heroin

Just as there are slang names for heroin, there are slang names for heroin paraphernalia and assorted practices. Some slang for heroin-associated items includes:³

• A-bomb, atom bomb - marijuana and heroin smoked in a cigarette
• Pineapple - heroin combined with an amphetamine
• Rig - syringe used to inject heroin
• Speedball, Belushi - a heroin-cocaine mixture
• Channel swimmer - the one who injects heroin
• Paperboy - heroin dealer
• "Z" - one ounce of heroin

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The history of heroin begins with the history of opium, from which heroin is produced. The use of opium goes back hundreds or possibly thousands of years with the opium poppy being cultivated during the Neolithic Age, the new stone age. Opium was widely used and abused throughout history. (How is heroin made?)

The history of heroin is over 125 years long, with heroin, then known as diacetylmorphine first synthesized from morphine in 1874 by English chemist C. R. Alder Wright. The history of heroin shows that heroin was not further studied until independently recreated 23 years later by Felix Hoffmann, an employee of what is now known as the Bayer pharmaceutical company.

From 1898 to 1910, Bayer sold diacetylmorphine under the brand name Heroin and the true history of heroin was born.

History of Heroin - Heroin for Sale

Heroin was marketed as a non-addictive alternative to morphine, which was widely abused at the time. Unfortunately, it was later discovered that heroin was 1.5-2 times more potent than morphine and breaks down into morphine once in the body. This point in the history of heroin marks an epic blunder on the part of Bayer.

Through 1914 to 1930, various legislative efforts pepper the history of heroin, banning it and its derivatives' use. In 1919, Bayer lost some of its trademark rights to the trade name "Heroin" under the treaty of Versailles,¹ which may explain why the term is so widely used today.

History of Heroin - Famous Heroin Addicts

Heroin use has been attracting addicts since its first sale in 1914 and its popularity is reflected in its mention in popular culture and in the number of famous heroin addicts. Heroin is frequently either the main theme or is mentioned in movies and on TV.

In the history of heroin, some popular culture references include:

• Requiem for a Dream, movie, 2000 - depicts the morphine addiction of a young couple
• Gia, movie, 1998 - depicts a true story of model Gia Carangi's addiction to heroin
• Pulp Fiction, movie, 1994 - a main character is shown using heroin, and later another overdoses on heroin
• Sopranos, TV, 1999 - 2007 - characters are frequently shown using or selling heroin

There may be many popular culture references in the history of heroin due to the number of famous heroin addicts. Some famous heroin addicts include:

• John Belushi, actor, died of cocaine and heroin overdose
• Robert Downey Junior, actor, repeated arrests and incarcerations for drugs including heroin
• River Phoenix, actor, died of heroin and cocaine overdose
• Kurt Cobain, musician, dies of suicide with a high concentration of heroin in bloodstream
• Jerry Garcia, musician, died during heroin rehab
• Janis Joplin, musician, died of a heroin overdose
• William S. Burroughs, writer, sold and was repeatedly addicted to heroin

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The facts about heroin use and heroin statistics are well known, as heroin has been studied for over 100 years. Heroin, actually named diacetylmorphine, is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from morphine. Heroin addiction facts show that although it was originally marketed in 1898 as a non-addictive alternative to morphine, shortly after becoming available its huge potential for addiction became clear. "Heroin" was actually the brand name given to the drug by the maker, Bayer, but facts about heroin indicate Bayer lost some of its rights to that trademark in the 1919 treaty of Versailles.

Heroin Facts - Heroin Statistics on Who Uses Heroin

Commonly held facts about heroin suggest heroin abuse is only a problem for black males, but more and more this isn't the case. In those self-identifying as black, the proportion of admissions to substance abuse treatment declined between 1995 and 2005 both for inhaling and injecting heroin. Heroin statistics also show that during this time white proportions increased in both categories.¹ While specific gender information is not available, the percentage of female heroin addicts is thought to be growing.

More heroin statistics and heroin facts on who uses heroin:^{2 3}

• The average age of first heroin use was 23.4 years in 2008.
• In 2008, it is estimated there were 213,000 current heroin users in the U.S.
• Most heroin addicts report having been introduced to heroin by someone they trusted.
• Of 12^th-graders, 1.2% report having used heroin in their lifetime.
• Between 2008 and 2009, there was an increase in lifetime drug use of 10^th-graders and heroin injection increased in this group.

Heroin Facts - Heroin Statistics on Where Heroin Comes From

Afghanistan is known to be the major producer of illegal heroin, producing 87% of the world's heroin. It is thought that Afghan opium (from which heroin and other drugs are made) kills 100,000 people annually.⁴

While the U.S. contains 4.6% of the world's population, it consumes about 80% of the world's opioid supply.⁵

Heroin Facts - Heroin Statistics on the Health Effects of Heroin

Heroin statistics on the health effects of heroin underscore its high potential for abuse and risk of death. Heroin facts show that about 2% of heroin addicts die annually due to their heroin addiction.

More heroin statistics and heroin facts on the health effects of heroin: ^{2 3 6}

• 50% - 70% of intravenous heroin users have suffered non-fatal overdoses
• 20% - 30% of intravenous heroin users have experienced a heroin overdose in the last year.
• Of those who begin using heroin, 23% of those will go on to become dependent on the drug.
• 3% -7% of heroin overdose cases require admission to a hospital for issues like pneumonia, infections and lung problems.

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Heroin rehab centers are facilities specifically designed to handle heroin addiction issues including heroin withdrawal and heroin recovery. Heroin rehab centers often provide the best chance at quitting heroin and a long-term heroin recovery due to the physical and psychological treatment available 24-hours a day.

Heroin rehab centers provide a safe and clean space away from all the people and places the addict associates with drug use. Being around specially-trained addiction treatment staff and other addicts in heroin recovery allows the addict to feel like part of a new, healthy, supportive community.

The best heroin addiction treatments involve acute withdrawal from heroin (detox) under medical supervision and then heroin treatment in a therapeutic community residential program lasting 3 - 6 months.¹ Some programs run for one year, although not all of that is residential.

Heroin Rehab Centers - What Help for Heroin Addicts is Offered?

There are different types of heroin rehab centers, but typically heroin rehab centers offer the following services:²

• Detoxification (detox) - Detox is the period immediately following the cessation of heroin. This is when withdrawal symptoms are at their worst. Detox is overseen by medical staff and help for heroin addicts may include medication during detox and longer withdrawal periods.
• Counseling - Counseling takes various forms in heroin rehabilitation. There is often one-on-one counseling, group counseling and support groups.
• Aftercare - Aftercare indicates supportive services available once the addict has completed heroin rehab. Heroin recovery aftercare can include continuing counseling, support groups and sober living facilities.

Heroin Rehab Centers - Types of Heroin Rehab

The two main types of heroin rehab are residential (or inpatient), or outpatient. Both types of heroin rehab are offered through heroin rehab centers, although they can also be offered through general drug rehab facilities or hospitals. Both types of heroin rehab can lead to successful heroin recovery when their program is closely followed by the heroin addict.

Types of heroin rehab:

• Residential (inpatient) - In residential heroin rehab, the addict lives at the heroin rehab center and care is offered 24-hours a day. Residential heroin rehab centers employ both doctors and addiction counselors to facilitate withdrawal management, counseling, and support. Residential heroin rehab centers may have hotel-like amenities and stays last from one month to one year.
• Outpatient - In outpatient heroin rehab, the addict spends days in the heroin rehab center but goes home each night. Schedules vary, and programs last for up to one year. Outpatient heroin rehab programs are best suited to those who have a safe and supportive home environment.

Heroin Rehab Centers - Tips for Successful Heroin Recovery

Heroin rehab centers have the benefit of offering staff specially trained in heroin addiction. The staff is there to help, but help for heroin addicts can only be successful if the addict commits to the process and works the program.

Tips for successful heroin recovery include:³

• Listen to the staff - being in a new place with new people means an adjustment period, but heroin rehab center staff are experts at helping make the transition smooth and successful.
• Commit to the process - heroin rehab isn't easy but being drug-free is worth the short-term sacrifices.
• Stay healthy - in addition to staying clean, getting healthy improves the odds of heroin recovery. Heroin addiction and heroin rehab are psychologically and physically very challenging, so eating right and exercising is important.
• Focus on today - as 12-step programs say, take it one day at a time. Heroin rehab is a process that can seem overwhelming when thinking a year or a lifetime in advance, but considering each day sober as a success makes heroin recovery much more achievable.

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Of those who begin using heroin, 23% of those will go on to become dependent on the drug.¹ Once dependent on heroin, heroin abuse normally follows and heroin abuse often leads to a heroin overdose. Heroin overdose is the number one cause of death among heroin abusers.

Heroin Use Leads to Heroin Abuse

It is common for heroin use to lead to heroin abuse because using heroin produces pleasure and reward in the brain and this is followed, within hours, by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Not only do heroin users end up heroin abusers in the constant search for the pleasure and reward of a heroin high, but heroin drug abuse also occurs because heroin abusers take the drug to avoid feeling bad during heroin withdrawal.

Heroin abuse also occurs because of the body's rapid tolerance to the pleasurable effects of heroin. Almost immediately, a heroin user finds they must consume more heroin in order to achieve the same pleasurable effects. This can cause a rapid increase in dosage and the heroin abuser may take up to ten times their initial amount within only 3 - 4 months of usage.²

Heroin Abuse Leads to Heroin Overdose

Heroin overdose is common among heroin abusers killing almost 2% of heroin users each year.

This is not surprising as opium (which creates both heroin and morphine) was once used as a poison. (How is heroin made?)

Many heroin abusers are under the mistaken impression that smoking or snorting heroin cannot lead to a heroin overdose, but in fact, the risk of a heroin overdose is substantial no matter how heroin is used. 50% - 70% of intravenous heroin users have suffered non-fatal overdoses, with 20% - 30% having experienced a heroin overdose in the last year.³

While taking a greater amount of, or more concentrated, heroin can lead to a heroin overdose, other behaviors of the heroin abuser can also increase the risk of a heroin overdose. Heroin overdose is more common:

• When other drugs such as alcohol or benzodiazepines are consumed with heroin
• After a period of abstinence from heroin - such as relapse after treatment
• Using heroin in a new environment - this is due to something called "place conditioning" where the brain reacts with greater tolerance in places associated with drug use ²

Heroin Abuse - Signs of Heroin Overdose

Heroin overdoses can be fatal often from respiratory arrest, although other causes of death such as contaminant poisoning and heart problems can also cause death in heroin overdose.

Signs of heroin overdose include:⁴

• Coma
• No, shallow, or difficulty breathing
• Dry mouth
• Tiny pupils
• Tongue discoloration
• Low blood pressure
• Weak pulse
• Bluish nails and lips
• Constipation
• Seizures
• Confusion, disorientation
• Drowsiness

Heroin Abuse - Help for a Heroin Overdose

A heroin overdose must always be handled by health care professionals. Unfortunately, many heroin users do not get the help they need for a heroin overdose due to the illegal nature of the drug, but with immediate medical attention, most people do not die from an overdose of heroin.

Things to remember about getting help for a heroin overdose:

• Always treat a heroin overdose seriously - call 911
• Heroin overdoses are treatable and rarely result in death if handled by medical professionals
• No home remedy for a heroin overdose, such as packing the person in ice or injecting milk or saliva, is effective

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The average age of a first-time heroin user is just over 23-years-old,¹ but in only a few months, that 23-year-old can have the life of a heroin addict.

The life of a heroin addict is often one of homelessness, joblessness, crime and malnutrition. As heroin addicts put their addiction before all else, heroin addicts tend not to eat, sleep or bathe regularly. Heroin addicts are typically in poor health, not simply due to heroin use, but because of the lifestyle factors surrounding being a heroin addict.

Heroin Addicts: Words of a Heroin Addict

Heroin addicts often know of the devastating effects heroin addiction has had on their lives, but in spite of this, they continue to be addicted to heroin. In heroin addict Pipster's story² below, he tells of being in jail 17 times because of what he's done because of being addicted to heroin, getting out clean each time, and yet using heroin once released.

"Why do I do this? The simple answer is that I feel nothing else I have ever experienced compares in the slightest, nothing in my life seems worth stopping for, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it's just too hard to stop.

Imagine feeling good about yourself, life seems good too, then when you wake up all that has changed, life is s*** again until you have a bag of gear . . .

Life is empty without it, there is nothing to replace it with, nothing to look forward to. You look at yourself in the mirror and realize how skinny and ugly you look and it just seems like such a long road to put it all right again. You just think "screw it" and carry on with the drugs."

Unfortunately, a heroin addict often loses the good parts of their life because of being addicted to heroin and these losses further fuel their desire to remain high and forget about their problems. A heroin addict can lose everything and still choose heroin over all else. Heroin addict Pipster continues:

"I have lost everything due to heroin, or my own lack of restraint. I'm not allowed to see my son. My family can't even look at me anymore. I walk with my head down at all times - my life just seems worthless without the pursuit of money for drugs by stealing. . .

I am going crazy just sitting here trying to be normal. I don't think I know how anymore. I'd rather go out and risk my liberty for some money for gear.

Heroin gives you a feeling of everything is OK, nothing is that bad and everything can wait until tomorrow. Without it, life is s***."

Heroin Addicts: Facts of Life for a Heroin Addict

While being addicted to heroin, the life of a heroin addict looks grim. The people and activities surrounding the heroin addict are all a part of being addicted to heroin. Getting out of heroin addiction means changing everything the heroin addict has come to know.

However, being a heroin addict almost always leads to jail, illness, heroin overdose, poisoning and death and the heroin addict has to choose to get treatment for being addicted to heroin to regain a healthy and happy life.

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Watching a loved one go from using heroin to a heroin addict is not something anyone wants to see. Using heroin is scary enough but full-blown heroin addiction is even more frightening. This cannot be ignored, however, as an estimated 23% of people who use heroin become dependent on it.¹

Heroin Addiction: Using Heroin the First Time

Addiction to heroin begins with simply using heroin. Heroin users typically have experience with other drugs such as marijuana and alcohol. It may even be the case that before using heroin a person might already be addicted to another substance.

Heroin use normally begins when a trusted person introduces the individual to using heroin. First-time heroin use is normally approached with curiosity and caution. Very few heroin users are introduced to the drug by a dealer.²

The first-time using heroin, the user typically gets very ill with elongated periods of nausea and vomiting. Because of this, many do not go on to use heroin a second time. However, those who do start using heroin find they develop a tolerance quickly to these unpleasant heroin symptoms and begin to experience euphoria and transcendent relaxation from the drug.

Heroin Addiction: Using Heroin

It's not known why some people become addicted to heroin while some manage to continue using heroin on occasion. What is known, however, is there is rapid and extensive tolerance to many of the effects of using heroin. In studies, consumption of heroin can increase tenfold over just 3 - 4 months of regular use - this is enough to kill a nontolerant person several times over.²

This rapid tolerance when using heroin leads to increased dosage, which leads to worsened withdrawal effects; both of which increase the chances of developing an addiction to heroin.

Heroin Addiction: Developing an Addiction to Heroin

The user has now become dependent and is no longer able to function without using heroin.

Using heroin more and more, the addict becomes tolerant to the euphoric effects of the drug, but finds that without using heroin, he feels depressed, agitated, in pain and having extreme cravings for heroin. This drives the heroin addict to spend all of his time and money obtaining the drug to maintain his heroin addiction.

Heroin Addiction: Being a Heroin Addict

Once the addiction to heroin progresses to the level where the heroin addict is spending all his time and money on the drug, everything else tends to fall away from his life. Addiction to heroin often leads to joblessness, homelessness, and crime to afford more heroin.

Facts regarding addiction to heroin include:²

• Overdose is the number one cause of death among those with heroin addiction.
• It's estimated 2% of heroin users die annually.
• The death rate among those with an addiction to heroin is estimated at 50 - 100 times that of the general population.
• Heroin addiction also causes an increased risk of cancer and several other life-threatening diseases.
• Using other drugs like alcohol and cocaine while using heroin increases the risk of death.³

More Information on Addiction to Heroin, Using Heroin

• Heroin Use: Signs, Symptoms of Heroin Use and Addiction
• Heroin Effects, Heroin Side Effects
• Heroin Addicts: Life of the Heroin Addict
• Heroin Abuse, Heroin Overdose
• Heroin Withdrawal and Managing Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
• Heroin Treatment: Quitting Heroin and Getting Heroin Addiction Treatment
• Benefits of Heroin Rehab Centers: Help for Heroin Addicts

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Signs and symptoms of heroin use and heroin addiction are critical to know for anyone who suspects they or a loved one has a problem with heroin use. Even seeing heroin use symptoms for a short period of time can indicate a problem with heroin use. Recognizing the signs of heroin addiction early is key to getting early help and intervention for the addict's best chance at a full heroin recovery.

Heroin Use - Signs of Heroin Use and Heroin Symptoms

Use of heroin signs can be similar to the signs of use for any powerful drug. Heroin use generally involves a major life shift away from family, friends, and work and towards heroin use behaviors. Those around the user may not want to acknowledge the use of heroin symptoms, but it's critical to deal with heroin use as soon as it's seen and to encourage the heroin user to get help.

General heroin symptoms and signs of heroin use include:¹

• Distancing from family and friends, spending more time "out" without reason
• Decreased performance in work or school
• Decreased personal care, such as not showering or changing clothes
• Unexplained expenses

The general signs of heroin use don't point to heroin use specifically, but drug use in general. In order to determine whether the problem is heroin use, heroin symptoms must be noted during heroin use or heroin withdrawal. Noticeable signs of heroin use during drug intake include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Shallow breathing
• Dropping in and out of wakefulness
• Vomiting
• Flushing of skin
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Restlessness (during withdrawal)

Signs of heroin use should be taken very seriously as heroin symptoms can be lethal. Even if unsure about heroin use or addiction, the heroin user should still be counseled to seek help for heroin use, or any other issue that might be causing the concerning behavior.

Heroin Use - Signs of Heroin Addiction

Signs of heroin addiction include the signs for heroin use but to a greater degree. Once a person has become addicted to heroin, they may have already lost their job, abandoned their family and quit seeing any drug-free friends altogether. Heroin addiction signs include a marked drop in self-care and hygiene to the point where the heroin addict rarely showers, changes clothes or grooms themselves. The biggest sign of heroin addiction is simply that the addict places no value on anything but obtaining and using the drug. The heroin addict has no motivation to do anything other than heroin.

Additional signs of heroin addiction include:

• Reckless behavior, such as stealing to obtain money to buy heroin
• Runny nose or constant sniffing - seen in those who snort heroin
• Needle marks on arms, legs and other parts of the body
• Slurred speech, confusion
• Hostility towards others, particularly if confronted with concerns about drug use
• Skin infections

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Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate, and like all opiates, heroin effects include effects on both the body and mind. The heroin effect sought in medical use is its powerful pain-killer effect. This effect, combined with the euphoria that often accompanies heroin abuse, are effects of heroin used in the management of pain.

Heroin addicts, however, use heroin primarily for the euphoria and transcendent relaxation effects of heroin. Due to the frequent, uncontrolled use of illegal heroin by an addict, the effects of heroin are extremely dangerous and addictive.

What are the Effects of Heroin? - Immediate Heroin Effects on the Body and Brain

When heroin is used, it is typically injected, smoked or snorted. These methods get the drug into the bloodstream quickly and produce immediate effects of heroin on the brain. Once in the brain, heroin is converted into morphine, another opiate, and binds to receptors in the brain known as opioid receptors. These receptors are involved with the perception of pain and reward: reducing the perception of pain and increasing the perception of reward.

Heroin effects on the body due to the opioid receptors throughout the body include:^{1 2}

• Suppression of breathing (respiration)
• Dropping of blood pressure
• Nausea, long periods of vomiting
• Flushing of skin
• Dry mouth
• Muscle spasm
• Constriction of pupils

What are the Effects of Heroin? - Heroin Short Term Effects

Heroin short term effects are perceived as mostly pleasurable by the user. While the opiate floods the brain, the effects of heroin are experienced by the user in the following ways:

• The rush - the initial sensation of euphoria and transcendent relaxation
• Heavy arms and legs
• Alternating wakeful and drowsy states - known as "on the nod"
• Cloudy mental state, confusion
• Feeling of itchiness

What are the Effects of Heroin? - Heroin Long Term Effects

Heroin long term effects can be devastating or even lethal. Tolerance to heroin often builds very quickly leading the user to consume more and more of the drug to achieve the same high. This increase in heroin dosage creates additional danger in heroin long term effects. Heroin long term effects also reflect the dangers of repeatedly taking increasing dosages of a street drug.

Heroin long term effects include:

• Chronic constipation
• Physical dependence - significant withdrawal symptoms upon drug cessation
• Addiction
• Depressed heart rate
• Overdose

Specific heroin long term effects are caused by injecting heroin, which most long term users choose to do. Long term effects of heroin due to injection include:

• Track marks
• Scarred or collapsed veins
• Skin infections

What are the Effects of Heroin? - Heroin Side Effects

In addition to the short and long term effects of heroin listed above, there are other primary effects of heroin and side effects due to the contaminants found in street heroin. These contaminants occur due to the heroin purification process or are added to heroin to increase its bulk.

Heroin side effects include:

• Increased heart rate (bradycardia)
• Coma
• Poisoning from contaminants process
• HIV, AIDS, hepatitis due to needle sharing
• Infection of the heart lining
• Cardiovascular disease
• Liver disease, related to hepatitis C contraction
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Death

Also see Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

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