A hankering for heroin
Question
I'm thinking about taking heroin - smoking it, not injecting - because the buzz sounds amazing. Are there any risks to taking heroin other than addiction?
Answer
Finding out more about heroin - or any other drug for that matter - is definitely the right thing to do before making a decision.
It's important to know that one of the reasons why drugs can be dangerous is that sometimes you don't know what they are or what's in them. As a result, it's almost impossible to know how a drug will affect you. This means that you could be putting yourself in danger.
Drugs also affect different people in different ways, so listening to what other people say the drugs will do won't necessarily let you know how it will make you feel. This is particularly true in the case of heroin; although you've heard the "buzz" is amazing, first time users can actually spend a lot of time vomiting.
Heroin is a powerful drug and the some of the effects can include:
- In small doses, heroin gives users a profound sense of warmth and wellbeing;
- Users often experience a rush or buzz a few minutes after taking heroin;
- Larger doses can lead to drowsiness;
- First time users can experience nausea or vomiting.
Addiction is a clear risk involved in taking heroin. Although you don't get addicted instantly you may find that over time you would need to take more to achieve the "buzz". This in turn can mean that you need to spend more money to fund your use. Other risks involved in taking heroin include:
- Heroin in excessive doses can result in overdose or coma. It can also be fatal;
- Users can find their habit spirals out of control;
- Many users who start out smoking heroin turn to injecting for a more intense hit;
- Sharing needles when injecting heroin leaves users at risk of dangerous infections like HIV, hepatitis and gangrene;
- It can be difficult to withdraw from heroin;
- Users trying to kick the habit may experience a period of diarrhoea, insomnia, vomiting, hot and cold sweats, and cramps. This is known as 'cold turkey'.
Alongside these, all the other health risks associated with smoking in general would be applicable. Being in possession of a Class A drug is also a risk; if caught, the penalty could be as high as seven years in prison and a fine.
If you'd like more detailed information or just want the opportunity to talk through your options you can call Frank on 0800 776600.
Updated: 12/04/2010
Question answered by Addaction
