People are curious and ask, "How is heroin made?" when they see the drug affecting them or those around them. "Heroin," though, is actually a brand name for diacetylmorphine. The drug company Bayer synthesized diacetylmorphine in 1895 and branded it "Heroin." Heroin made a claim to be a non-addictive replacement for morphine. Now, however, heroin is the common name for the drug diacetylmorphine and it's clear the claims Bayer made about heroin being non-addictive were false. (See History of Heroin)

How is Heroin Made? - Where Does Heroin Come From?

Heroin is an opiate, stemming from the term opium, indicating heroin is made from the opium poppy. However, heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate as heroin is made not directly from the poppy, but from morphine. Morphine comes from the opium poppy directly.

Opium and morphine, from which heroin is made, come from a variety of sources:¹

• Afghanistan -leading illegal opium and heroin exporter producing up to 82% of the world's supply
• Pakistan, Southeast Asia, South America - other illegal sources
• Tasmania, Australia, France, Japan, the United Kingdom - sources of legal opium and heroin

How is Heroin Made? - What is Heroin Made Of?

Heroin is made by first growing the opium poppy. Once the poppy is ripening, its pod is scored allowing a white, milky, latex to come out.² This latex dries into a sticky, jelly-like resin. Typically this raw opium is made into morphine close to the source as morphine pressed into bricks and dried in the sun is much easier to handle and smuggle.

It is from morphine that heroin is made. Morphine is made into heroin with a chemical reaction containing the chemical compound acetic anhydride. The heroin is then purified using chemical or mechanical means.

How is Heroin Made? - What is Synthetic Heroin?

As heroin is made from opium which is made from the actual opium poppy, heroin is known as a semi-synthetic opiate. Synthetic heroin is not really heroin at all; synthetic heroin is actually one of several synthetic opiates. Synthetic opiates are called such because they are completely man-made and contain no opium. Synthetic opiates are often called synthetic heroin due to the similarity of their effects.

Synthetic opiates that are sometimes called synthetic heroin include:

• Fentanyl
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Pethidine

Information on Street Names for Heroin

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Information about heroin has been available for over one hundred years making the question, "what is heroin?" easy to answer. Heroin is a semi-synthetic drug derived from morphine, which is derived from poppies (how is heroin made?). Heroin information also indicates heroin is an opioid drug - a drug that binds to opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and gut. The key information to know about heroin is that it is most commonly found as a street drug and has a high potential for abuse, addiction, and harm.

What is Heroin? - About Heroin History

Heroin, scientifically known as diacetylmorphine, was first synthesized in 1874 in London. English chemist C. R. Alder Wright attempted to learn, what was later to be known as, heroin information. More about heroin wasn't known, however, until 1895 when the drug company later to be called Bayer, marketed diacetylmorphine under the brand name Heroin.¹

Heroin information at the time suggested heroin could be used as a non-addictive substitute for morphine, a highly abused recreational drug at the time. However, later the addictive and harmful properties were learned about heroin use and heroin addiction. Information on heroin shows it was used as a cough suppressant and as an anti-diarrheal.

What is Heroin? - What is Heroin Used For?

Heroin is a powerful pain-killer and is available by prescription in some countries like the United Kingdom for pain management and palliative care. In the Netherlands prescription heroin is also available for severe heroin addicts for whom methadone treatment has failed. Because the dangerous side effects and likelihood of addiction is known about heroin, anywhere it is legally available, use is strictly controlled.

What is known about heroin street use is that heroin is found to induce transcendent relaxation and euphoria, known as the "rush." Information on heroin indicates during the rush users also feel:²

• Dry mouth
• Flushing of skin
• Heaviness in the arms and legs
• Clouded mental function

Heroin information also shows after the initial rush the person nods in and out of wakefulness, known as being "on the nod."

What is Heroin? - Heroin info on How Heroin is Used

Information about heroin shows heroin euphoria is highest when heroin is injected and lowest when heroin is ingested (swallowed). Information about heroin use methods includes:

• Injection - the most pleasurable and most risky form of heroin use. Risk of contraction of HIV is high due to prevalence of needle sharing.
• Smoking - involves vaporizing the heroin and inhaling the resulting vapor.
• Suppository
• Snorting
• Ingestion - uncommon due to lack of feeling the initial pleasurable rush.

It is known about heroin that the faster heroin enters the bloodstream, the greater the chance of addiction, making injecting the most addictive method of heroin use.

For more general information on heroin, click the "next" link below. For information on

• Heroin Addiction: Signs, symptoms, causes, effects, life of a heroin addict, withdrawal and treatment issues.

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Crack cocaine addiction can happen after only trying crack once or twice, and once crack cocaine abuse has gone on for weeks, months or even years, crack addiction treatment becomes more challenging. The earlier one seeks crack cocaine treatment, the more likely the treatment will be successful and the less damage will have been done on the body and mind by the crack cocaine abuse. The goal of all crack cocaine treatment is to get the crack user off of crack, provide them with new life skills and prevent future relapse.

Crack Cocaine Treatment: Detox from Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine effects can be deadly and include seizure, heart attack and stroke. Luckily, while crack cocaine detox may be uncomfortable, it is not typically life-threatening.

Detox is the first step in crack cocaine treatment. It is the period after the last dose of crack cocaine. During this initial period, the addict may feel dramatic cravings to use crack cocaine and so detoxing in a cocaine rehab center can be helpful in cases of crack cocaine abuse. The detox part of crack cocaine treatment, including cocaine withdrawal, is generally overseen by medical professionals.

Crack Cocaine Treatment: Complications in Crack Cocaine Treatment

Crack cocaine abuse is often accompanied by other substance abuse issues and mental illness. An important part of crack addiction treatment is screening for these other disorders. During crack cocaine treatment all alcohol and drug-use must be stopped, and other addictions may complicate the detox process.

Mental illnesses may become noticeable during crack cocaine treatment after the detox phase. Mental illnesses commonly occurring with crack cocaine abuse include:

• Depression, possibly suicidal
• Anxiety disorders
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Crack Cocaine Treatment: Commonly Use Crack Addiction Treatments

No medication is FDA approved for use in crack cocaine treatment; behavioral therapies are most successful for crack addiction treatment. Crack addiction treatments can be found through centers specifically for drug addiction rehabilitation, hospitals or in community organizations. Crack cocaine treatment can be found in inpatient or outpatient settings.

Commonly used crack addiction treatments include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy - short-term therapy aiming to change the unhealthy thoughts and actions involved in crack cocaine abuse.
• Motivational therapy - cultivates negative feelings around crack cocaine abuse and encourages changes in the behaviors around crack cocaine abuse.
• Group therapy - allows crack addicts to meet others going through the same process for learning and support. Possibly a 12-step group like Narcotics Anonymous.
• Interpersonal therapy - investigates the initial cause of the crack cocaine abuse
• Education - education about crack cocaine addiction, personal triggers and skills to handle stress.

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The life of a crack addict is often one filled with danger, fear, and violence. Many crack addicts have lost their homes due to crack addiction and are commonly found living on the street or in transient housing. Crack addicts typically have problems getting or staying employed and so have no legal way of financing their crack addiction. As an alternative, crack addicts are often working as prostitutes or committing crimes in order to pay for their crack addiction. Crack addicts commonly lose their family, friends and all social contacts due to their crack addiction. Crack addiction is the only thing a crack addict cares about and the rest of their life simply falls away; every moment is used getting high or figuring out how, when and where to get high.

Crack Addicts: Crack Addiction Begins

A crack addict may start as a cocaine or other drug user. A crack addict typically has an unhappy home life or other stresses or problems. The addict begins using drugs or alcohol to escape from the stresses of their life. The addict may feel like they are just "partying" but, in fact, they are trying to cope with unhappiness.

At some point, the user tries crack and a crack addiction takes hold. Crack addiction can happen almost immediately. The crack addict then starts to use crack to deal with stress and crack quickly becomes the focus of life. (read: Crack Cocaine Symptoms: Signs of Crack Cocaine Use)

Crack Addicts: Crack Addiction Takes Hold

At the beginning of crack addiction, the crack addict may feel they have their addiction under control. Crack addicts can binge on crack for hours or days and then abstain for days, giving the impression they are in control of their drug use. Each time the crack addict gets high, however, the crack addict is becoming more physically and psychologically addicted. Each crack use further changes the chemicals in the crack addict's brain, linking pleasure only to crack usage. (read: Effects of Crack Cocaine)

Soon the crack addict finds the only thing that makes them feel good is using crack and using crack is the only way they know to handle stress. The crack addict likely feels guilty and depressed after a crack binge. The crack addict may try to stop crack use and fail.

Crack Addicts: Crack is all that Matters

At this point in the addiction, the crack addict is using crack not to feel good, but simply to avoid feeling bad. The crack addict no longer has any control over his crack use. Crack use is now an obsession. Every waking thought is now devoted to affording, getting and using crack. Crack addicts often end up:

• Jobless
• In the hospital
• In prostitution
• Committing violent crime
• Stealing
• Getting arrested
• Becoming homeless

Once the crack addict has reached this point, a crack cocaine rehab center is likely needed to stop the crack addiction.

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The effects of crack cocaine are potentially devastating and can be seen in every area of a crack addict's life. The physical and psychological effects of crack cocaine are seen both during and after crack use. These crack cocaine effects typically indicate the need for medical treatment and cocaine rehab. The side effects of crack cocaine can be even worse and possibly even deadly.¹

Effects of Crack Cocaine: Physical Crack Cocaine Effects

The physical crack cocaine effects happen due to the extreme stimulating properties of crack cocaine and then the crash after ceasing crack cocaine use. Crack cocaine effects also reflect the physical dependence crack users have on crack cocaine.

Physical crack cocaine effects include:

• Restlessness, agitation
• Chronic sore throat, hoarseness
• Shortness of breath
• Bronchitis
• Respiratory problems such as congestion of the lungs, wheezing and spitting up black phlegm
• Burning of the lips, tongue, and throat
• Slowed digestion
• Blood vessel constriction
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Brain seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Sweating
• Rise in blood sugar levels and body temperature
• Suppressed desire for food, sex, friends, family, etc.
• Heart attack, stroke, death

Many of these physical crack cocaine effects lead to permanent or lethal side effects.

Effects of Crack Cocaine: Psychological Crack Cocaine Effects

Psychological or emotional crack cocaine effects can change how a person feels about themselves and the world around them. The primary crack cocaine effects that make crack appealing are the extreme euphoria and mental and physical alertness. The euphoria experienced as a crack cocaine effect the first time crack is used, is often the most pleasurable and is not matched by other uses of crack cocaine. Crack addicts often continue to use crack searching for the extreme euphoria felt the first time crack was used. (read: Crack Cocaine Symptoms: Signs of Crack Cocaine Use)

Psychological crack cocaine effects include:

• Euphoria
• Uninhibited, impaired judgment, impulsive
• Grandiosity
• Hypersexuality
• Hypervigilance
• Compulsivity
• Mood change, anxiety, irritability, argumentative
• Transient panic, terror of impending death, paranoia
• Delusions, hallucinations (particularly auditory hallucinations)

Effects of Crack Cocaine: Side Effects of Crack Cocaine

While immediate effects of crack cocaine can result in seizure, stroke or death, these risks become greater over time. The side effects of crack cocaine often occur after longer-term use.

The side effects of crack cocaine include:

• Disability from drug-induced health problems
• Emphysema and other lung damage
• Changes in blood pressure, heart rates, and breathing rates
• Nausea, vomiting
• Convulsions
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite leading to malnutrition and weight loss
• Cold sweats
• Swelling and bleeding of mucous membranes
• Damage to nasal cavities
• Heart attacks, strokes or seizures leading to brain damage or death
• Suffocation from brain seizures

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Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug made of purified cocaine. Signs of crack cocaine use are similar to signs of cocaine use, but vary due to the method of ingestion and drug strength. Signs of crack cocaine use are also typically signs of crack addiction as people who regularly use crack cocaine are almost universally addicts. Paying attention to crack cocaine symptoms, and signs of crack use, is extremely important so as to try to get help for anyone facing crack addiction symptoms.

Crack Cocaine Use: Crack Cocaine Symptoms

Crack cocaine symptoms can be divided into two groups: crack cocaine symptoms felt during crack cocaine use and those felt after crack cocaine use. During use, crack cocaine symptoms tend to be considered pleasurable while after use, crack cocaine symptoms are unpleasant. During crack cocaine use, an overdose or side effects are a huge concern. See cocaine overdose.

During use of crack cocaine, crack cocaine symptoms include the following:¹

• Energy, restlessness, insomnia
• Heightened sense of sight, smell and touch
• Euphoria
• Increased heart rate
• Dilated pupils
• Increase in blood pressure
• Increase in body temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Vertigo
• Muscle twitches
• Anxious, irritable or aggressive
• Severe mental distress including paranoia and psychosis

After use of crack cocaine the user experiences what is known as a "crash." This state feels bad partly because use of crack cocaine uses up all the dopamine (the brain chemical that makes you feel good) found in the brain and the crack cocaine user is now left with a deficit of this brain chemical.

After use of crack cocaine, crack cocaine symptoms include the following:²

• Crack cocaine craving
• Depression
• Agitation, anxiety, anger, irritability
• Fatigue, lack of motivation
• Nausea, vomiting
• Shaking, muscle pain
• Disturbed sleep

Crack Cocaine Use: Signs of Crack Use

Many of the signs of crack use are those seen in all addictions, although signs of crack use may be harder to hide due to life-altering crack effects. Signs of crack use are devastating to see in a loved one, but worse would be not knowing the signs of crack cocaine use. Once signs of crack use are seen, an intervention with the crack user should begin as soon as possible.

Signs of crack use include:

• Secretive behavior
• Unexplained spending of cash
• Weight loss
• Burns on the hands or mouth, cracked or blistered lips
• Breathing problems, coughing up black phlegm, tuberculosis
• Track marks
• Lack of interest in previously pleasurable activities
• Legal problems
• Hyper-alert behavior
• Delusions of grandeur
• Lower inhibitions

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Crack is considered to be the most addictive form of cocaine leading to substantial crack addiction rates in those who try the drug. Some experts also believe that crack is the most addictive of any drug. Crack cocaine releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine, making the user temporarily feel euphoric and prone to seeking more of the drug, and ultimately, crack addiction.

Crack Addiction: Who Suffers Addiction to Crack Cocaine?

Crack addiction can happen to anyone but crack addiction typically occurs after someone becomes a recreational cocaine user. Because crack has a faster, more intense high, powder cocaine users may be attracted to crack cocaine and once used, crack addiction is very common.

The profile of a typical crack user is an African-American man between the ages of 18 - 30 from a poor socioeconomic background.

Crack cocaine addiction statistics on American youth from 2003 include:

• Of eighth and tenth graders: 0.7% have used crack within the last month, 1.6% in the past year, and approximately 2.6% ever
• Of twelfth graders: 0.9% have used crack within the last month, 2.2% in the past year, and 3.6% ever¹

Crack Addiction: Crime, Poverty and Addiction to Crack Cocaine

The link between crack cocaine addiction and poverty is seen throughout North America. Many crack addicts are homeless or in transient housing.

Addiction to crack cocaine and crime also has a clear link. In the U. K., crack cocaine users reported the highest amount of money spent on the drug and the highest rate of crime. This heightened crime was echoed in a study comparing crack cocaine to heroin. Specifically, addiction to crack cocaine makes a person more likely to steal, commit a violent crime or end up in jail.²

Crack Addiction: Why is Crack Cocaine Addiction so Common?

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, done in 2003, 4% of Americans age 12 and older have tried crack cocaine and more than 40,000 emergency room visits were crack cocaine-related in 2002.

Crack cocaine is prolific, available in every major American city, and inexpensive compared to other drugs, making a crack cocaine addiction easy to fall victim to. Addiction to crack cocaine is also common because crack triggers the reward system in the brain, making a person feel very good. Once this euphoric feeling passes through, in less than 20 minutes, the user is left feeling worse than before they used crack, leading them to use more of the drug to stop feeling bad. This cycle commonly leads to crack addiction.

Crack addiction is also extremely difficult to treat as relapse rates are thought to be between 94% - 99%.³

See crack cocaine treatment.

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When asking, "what is crack cocaine," we must first understand what cocaine is. Cocaine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system and typically produces an energetic and euphoric "high." Cocaine is typically found in powdered form. Crack cocaine is a purified form of cocaine. Crack cocaine is a hard substance that can be smoked and may be referred to as rock, base or just crack.

What is Crack Cocaine? How is Crack Cocaine Made?

Crack cocaine is made from powdered cocaine in a simple process involving sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). All that is needed to make crack cocaine is powdered cocaine, baking soda, water, a pin, flame and a spoon. Crack cocaine may be made from powdered cocaine by dealers, but is also commonly made by users due to its simple creation process.¹

Crack cocaine looks like rocks with jagged edges. Crack cocaine is often cut with less expensive, often toxic, substances.

What is Crack Cocaine? How is Crack Cocaine Used?

Crack cocaine is often used in binges where the user does repeated "hits" of crack cocaine, possibly multiple times per hour, for days. The crack cocaine is put in a pipe and heated while the user inhales the crack cocaine vapor. The crack cocaine vapor is held in the lungs for several seconds before being exhaled.

What is Crack Cocaine? Who Uses Crack Cocaine?

Crack cocaine is known typically as an inner-city drug. Poor addicts are likely to use crack cocaine as it's sold in small, inexpensive units and smoking crack cocaine delivers a large amount of drug quickly into the system. Those who smoke crack cocaine are at greater risk of crack addiction, overdose and injury to heart and lungs than those who snort cocaine.²

What is Crack Cocaine? How Does Crack Cocaine Work?

Smoking crack cocaine increases the speed the drug gets into the system and bypasses nose tissues making smoking crack similar to IV cocaine. Inhaled crack cocaine takes 7 seconds to take effect and reaches its peak high in about 1 - 5 minutes. This high only lasts about 20 minutes. This is compared to snorted cocaine which takes effect in 3 minutes, with a peak effect at 15 minutes with a high that lasts 45 - 90 minutes. The shorter durations in crack cocaine are one of the reasons it's highly addictive.

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Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are almost never life-threatening, but with a relapse rate of over 94%, cocaine rehab can be very challenging, and cocaine rehab centers offer the best possible environment for the cocaine treatment success. Cocaine rehab (rehabilitation) centers offer a 24-hour treatment environment where everyone involved is focused on cocaine rehab. The support offered in cocaine rehab centers can make the difference between staying off of cocaine, or not.

Cocaine Rehab Centers: Why go to Cocaine Rehab?

Cocaine rehab centers are specifically designed to handle the physical and psychological effects of cocaine withdrawal. Cocaine rehab centers offer many cocaine rehab services, some of which are available to those not residents of the cocaine rehab center also. However, staying in a cocaine rehab center has the advantage of staying in a safe, healthy, drug-free, supportive environment while going through withdrawal and the work of cocaine rehab.

A cocaine addict often lives in an environment where everything they do and everyone they know is centered around cocaine usage. This environment makes it extremely difficult for the cocaine user to get clean and stay clean. A cocaine rehab center provides an environment away from everything the cocaine addict has previously associated with cocaine use (known as triggers).

Cocaine rehab centers commonly offer the following services:

• Medical oversight
• One-on-one and group therapy
• Treatment for co-occurring addictions or mental illnesses
• Peer support
• Preparation in dealing with a home environment and triggers
• Services once the addict has left cocaine rehab

Cocaine Rehab Centers: Entering Cocaine Rehab

Cocaine addicts often walk into a cocaine rehab center in acute withdrawal, with symptoms including paranoia or drug-induced psychosis. Cocaine rehab centers understand this and have medications and techniques available to help with cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine Rehab Centers: Continuing Cocaine Rehab

Cocaine rehab is as much about peer addicts as it is about the cocaine rehab center itself. During cocaine rehab, not only are addiction professionals working with the cocaine addict, but peers are also holding the cocaine addict accountable for their behavior in cocaine rehab. If the addict relapses or exhibits anti-treatment behaviors, they must answer to a group of people who are just like them. The peer accountability found in cocaine rehab can be a powerful motivator in keeping an addict clean.

Cocaine rehab treatment centers offer therapy and counseling to delve into what initially caused the addiction and how the addict is psychologically addicted to cocaine (read: Cocaine Dependence and Is Cocaine Addictive?). The counseling in cocaine rehab treatment centers also teaches cocaine addicts how to create healthy patterns in their lives and new strategies for dealing with stress.

Additionally, cocaine rehab centers typically offer aftercare: cocaine treatment designed to help once the cocaine addict has left the cocaine rehab center. This aftercare is crucial in ensuring the recovering addict remains clean and sober.

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The critical part of getting cocaine addiction treatment is the desire to get and stay off cocaine. Cocaine treatment can only work when the person truly wants cocaine help. Cocaine addicts cannot stop using cocaine on their own and need professional treatment for cocaine addiction. Cocaine addiction treatment can be very difficult, as relapse rates are thought to be between 94% - 99%.

When getting cocaine addiction treatment, remember the following:

• Be completely honest about all drug use - understating cocaine or other drug use can prevent successful treatment for cocaine.
• Tell the doctor about all medications, supplements, vitamins, etc. - any medication, even over-the-counter, can influence cocaine treatment.
• Take a support person with you - whether in a cocaine treatment center or cocaine treatment support group, another person's perspective can be helpful.
• Ask the doctor questions - ask any cocaine treatment professional any questions you have. You may want to write these questions down ahead of time.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment: Therapies Used in Cocaine Treatment

Behavioral therapies are the most effective approach to cocaine treatment. Drug-dependence programs (including cocaine addiction treatment) are available through cocaine rehab centers, hospitals, therapy or support and community groups. Cocaine addiction treatment is primarily done outpatient but some cocaine addiction treatment is available inpatient, in a full-time drug rehab center. A common support group used in cocaine treatment is Narcotics Anonymous, a 12-step group.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common choice in cocaine addiction treatment. CBT aims to change thinking and behavior around cocaine and other drugs. CBT is also known to decrease cravings during cocaine withdrawal. Motivational therapy (MT) is also used during cocaine treatment. MT aims to create a negative view of cocaine addiction and encourages changes in behavior.¹

Cocaine Addiction Treatment: Medications Used in Cocaine Treatment

There are no FDA approved medications for cocaine treatment. However, some drugs are being investigated for use in treatment for cocaine addiction. Medications being investigating for cocaine treatment include:²

• Alcohol antagonist drugs like disulfiram
• Anti-seizure medications like tiagabine
• Muscle relaxants like baclofen
• Wakefulness-promoting agents like modafinil
• Antipsychotics like quetiapine

Cocaine Addiction Treatment: Complications During Cocaine Treatment

While cocaine addiction treatment likely won't require medication or hospitalization, doctors are essential in cocaine treatment as they can screen for any additional physical or psychological issues. The number one goal of cocaine treatment is to prevent a cocaine-use relapse; any additional untreated physical or psychological issues can decrease the chances of cocaine treatment success. Common physical problems seen during cocaine withdrawal include lung and heart diseases.

Half of cocaine addicts have another mental illness. Any mental illness must be found and treated during cocaine treatment in order for cocaine treatment to be a success. Common mental health issues found during cocaine treatment include:³

• Depression, possibly suicidal
• Anxiety disorders
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Other addictions

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