Opiates are strong central nervous system depressants, but regular users develop physiological tolerance allowing gradually increased dosages. In combination with other central nervous system depressants, heroin may still kill experienced users. Toxicology studies of heroin-related deaths reveal frequent involvement of other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol, benzodiazepines such as diazepam (valium), and occasionally methadone. Ironically, benzodiazepines and methadone are ofte ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Drug interactions

Heroin - Manufacturing. Heroin is produced for the black market through opium refinement processes. Unlike drugs such as LSD, the production of which requires considerable expertise in chemistry and access to constituents which are now tightly controlled, the refinement of heroin from opium is a relatively simple process requiring only moderate technical know-how and common chemicals. First morphine is isolated from the crude opium and then reacted with acetic anhydride, a chemical also used in the product ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Production and trafficking

Recreational uses: Euphoria Relaxation Other uses: Pain relief Cough suppressant anti-diarrheal Alcohol Barbiturates Stimulants Other opioids Severe: Respiratory arrest Spontaneous abortion Atypical sensations: ? Cardiovascular: See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Usage and effects

The withdrawal syndrome from heroin (or any other short-acting opioid) can begin within 6 hours of discontinuation of sustained use of the drug: sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, persistent and intense penile erection in males (priapism), general feeling of heaviness, cramp-like pains in the limbs, yawning and lachrymation, sleep difficulties, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches not precipitated by any physical trauma, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gooseflesh (hence, the term "cold turkey"), cramps, and fever occur. Many ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Withdrawal

Many countries and local governments have instituted programs to supply sterile needles to people who inject illegal drugs in order to reduce some of these contingent risks. While needle exchanges have demonstrated an immediate public health benefit, some see such programs as tacit acceptance of illicit drug use. The United States does not support needle exchanges federally by law, though some of its state and local governments do. A heroin overdose is usually treated with an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone (Narcan) or naltrexone, ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin

Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 by C.R. Alder Wright, a British chemist working at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London. He had been experimenting with combining morphine with various acids. He boiled anhydrous morphine alkaloid with acetic anhydride over a stove for several hours and produced a more potent, acetylated form of morphine. We now call it diacetylmorphine. The compound was sent to F.M. Pierce of Owens College, Manchester, for analysis. He reported the following to Wright: Doses … were subcutan ...

See also:

Heroin, Heroin - History, Heroin - Usage and effects, Heroin - Production and trafficking, Heroin - Manufacturing, Heroin - History, Heroin - Trafficking, Heroin - Risks of non-medical abuse of heroin, Heroin - Withdrawal, Heroin - Drug interactions, Heroin - Culture, Heroin - Books

Read more here: » Heroin: Encyclopedia II - Heroin - History