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Navigation: How Heroin Affects the Brain, Immediate Physical Effects of Heroin, Short-Term Physical Effects, Long-Term Health Risks of Chronic Heroin Use, Treatment Options and Recovery

Heroin is a potent opioid drug that has been a subject of intense study and debate for decades.

Derived from morphine, heroin is a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of certain poppy plants. It typically appears as a white or brown powder or a sticky black substance known as “black tar heroin”. [1]

Heroin was originally synthesized in the late 1800s and marketed as a painkiller and cough suppressant. However, it quickly became clear that the drug’s addictive properties overshadowed any medicinal benefits.

Although it’s widely known for its addictive properties, many people wonder: is heroin itself physically harmful, or is it mainly the addiction and lifestyle surrounding it that causes problems?

This is what we are going to discuss here today. In this article, we will dive into the physiological effects of heroin, how it interacts with the body, and the long-term health consequences associated with its use.

How Heroin Affects the Brain

When heroin enters the brain, it is converted back into morphine, which then rapidly binds to opioid receptors. This substance affects areas of the brain involved in pain perception, reward, and critical physiological functions like heart rate and breathing.

This binding action produces intense feelings of euphoria, often described as a “rush”. The strength of this euphoric high depends on how quickly the drug enters the brain. This is why injecting heroin tends to create more intense effects compared to snorting or smoking it.

However, beyond the initial rush, heroin has a depressant effect on the central nervous system, slowing down brain function and leading to a sense of calm and relaxation.

Repeated heroin use can alter the structure and physiology of the brain over time. Prolonged heroin use impacts the brain’s ability to produce natural endorphins, the chemicals responsible for regulating pain and mood. As a result, the user becomes reliant on heroin to feel “normal,” which can lead to addiction. [2]

Additionally, heroin use changes the brain’s white matter, impairing decision-making abilities, behavior regulation, and responses to stressful situations. These long-term brain changes make it difficult for people to stop using heroin, even if they want to. [2]

Immediate Physical Effects of Heroin

Many of heroin’s effects on the body are immediate and intense. Upon ingestion, it can produce a rush within seconds, depending on how it’s administered. This rush is often described as a warm, pleasurable sensation, accompanied by a sense of detachment from reality. However, not all the physical effects are pleasant.

Short-Term Physical Effects

Some common physical reactions to heroin include:

  • Respiratory Depression: Heroin is a central nervous system depressant. It slows down respiration and can reduce the heart rate, sometimes to dangerously low levels. [3]
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Many users experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation as heroin affects the digestive system. [3]
  • Drowsiness: Heroin users often nod in and out of consciousness, which poses a risk if they’re in a situation that requires alertness, such as driving. [3]
  • Itching and Flushed Skin: Heroin can cause the skin to flush and itch, a result of histamine release within the body.
  • Decreased Sensation of Pain: This is one of the reasons heroin has such a high addiction potential. However, it also means that users may inadvertently injure themselves while under its effects.

These immediate effects, while short-lived, underscore the dangerous nature of heroin use. As the body builds a tolerance, users need increasing amounts of heroin to achieve the same high, leading to a higher risk of overdose.

Long-Term Health Risks of Chronic Heroin Use

While the short-term effects of heroin can be severe, it’s the long-term impact that poses the greatest threat to a person’s health and safety. Chronic heroin use can lead to a host of health complications, many of which are irreversible. As we mentioned earlier, long-term heroin use affects the brain’s white matter, impairing decision-making abilities, regulating behavior, and responding to stress.

Here are some of the most significant long-term health risks of using heroin:

Tolerance

Tolerance is when the body adapts to the presence of a certain substance—in this case heroin—requiring progressively higher doses to achieve the same effects. As tolerance builds, users may take increasingly larger amounts to get the same euphoric high. This significantly raises the risk of overdose. [2]

This adaptation also affects the brain’s reward system, altering neurotransmitter levels and leading to long-term changes in brain function. Over time, these neurological changes can impair cognitive abilities, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

If left unaddressed, tolerance can even develop into drug dependence, which puts further strain on the body.

Dependence

Physical dependence is one of the most significant long-term health risks associated with heroin. It is when a person can no longer function normally without taking the drug.

This occurs because heroin alters the brain’s reward system, causing intense cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors. This makes it extremely difficult to stop using without proper medical assistance. Compulsive drug use is more commonly associated with drug addiction. Meanwhile, dependence is often characterized by the body’s inability to function properly without the substance.

When a drug dependent individual stops taking heroin or tries to reduce their intake, they experience intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These effects often lead to relapse and sometimes even overdose as the person tries to compensate for the times they reduced their intake.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be highly distressing. Some common symptoms include severe muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, and cold flashes, among others. The discomfort and pain of withdrawal contributes to a vicious cycle of substance abuse, wherein the person feels like they have no choice but to keep taking it.

Withdrawal can occur within a few hours after the last time the drug was taken. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 24 to 48 hours after the last heroin dose. They also typically subside after a week. [2]

Mental Health Complications

Chronic heroin use can lead to numerous mental health complications, with effects that extend far beyond the immediate euphoria the drug provides.

Long-term use is often associated with a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. This is due to heroin’s impact on brain chemistry, especially the areas involved in reward and emotional regulation. Over time, the brain’s ability to produce natural mood-stabilizing chemicals, like dopamine and serotonin, is diminished, making users reliant on heroin for feelings of happiness or even normalcy. [4]

Aside from mental health disorders, it can also cause significant cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, decreased ability to concentrate, and poor decision-making skills.

Finally, prolonged use of heroin can increase the risk of psychotic disorders, including symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions. These mental health challenges make it difficult for addicted individuals to maintain relationships, hold jobs, and fulfill their everyday responsibilities. This creates a vicious cycle of drug use and psychological distress that impacts every other aspect of the person’s life.

Damage to Vital Organs

The brain is not the only vital organ affected by heroin abuse. In fact, the most affected organ is often the liver. Regular heroin use increases the likelihood of developing liver disease, including hepatitis C and other infections, because heroin users sometimes share needles.

Hepatitis C, which is a viral infection, can eventually lead to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Heroin itself, when injected, is processed through the liver, where toxic metabolites can accumulate, straining liver function and impairing its ability to process toxins and produce essential proteins. [4]

Chronic heroin use can also significantly damage the heart and lungs. Injecting heroin can cause bacterial infections in the heart, including endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves that can be life-threatening. [4]

Additionally, heroin can depress the respiratory system, resulting in chronic lung problems like pneumonia or even collapsed lungs. This respiratory suppression can lead to a decreased oxygen supply in the body, which strains the heart and can increase the risk of heart attack. [4]

Over time, these combined effects of heroin use place immense pressure on the body’s essential organs, often leading to irreversible damage that reduces life expectancy.

Treatment Options and Recovery

While overcoming heroin addiction is undoubtedly challenging, it is definitely achievable. All you need is determination and some support. With proper medical assistance, many people are able to navigate the difficult journey of recovery.

It’s worth noting that addiction is a chronic condition, meaning that like other chronic conditions, there is no cure for it. However, it is treatable, meaning it is still possible for the addicted person to become sober again. Addiction recovery is a lifelong journey, which means they will have to learn how to maintain their sobriety even after they leave rehab.

This transformation often begins with a personal realization and a desire to reclaim one’s life, igniting a powerful motivation to seek healthier paths. The journey requires resilience and commitment, as it involves addressing not only the physical dependence on the drug but also the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to addiction.

With the right mindset and support systems in place, individuals can rebuild their lives and foster a sense of hope for the future. Here are several treatment options for heroin addiction:

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

This approach combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat heroin addiction. Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone work to reduce withdrawal symptoms, prevent cravings, and block the euphoric effects of heroin. MAT has been shown to improve treatment retention and reduce the risk of relapse, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery and improve their quality of life. [5]

Behavioral Therapy

Various forms of behavioral therapy are effective for heroin addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals understand and change their thought patterns and behaviors related to drug use. Contingency management, another approach, rewards patients for staying drug-free. These therapies are often combined with MAT for a more comprehensive treatment plan, helping patients develop coping strategies and life skills that support long-term recovery. [5]

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs

Inpatient rehab provides a structured, supportive environment free from the triggers and stressors that contribute to heroin use. Programs typically last between 30 and 90 days, during which patients participate in individual and group therapy, educational sessions, and recreational activities.

Inpatient care is particularly beneficial for those with severe addiction, as it offers intensive support and medical supervision to manage withdrawal symptoms and build a foundation for recovery.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient treatment offers more flexibility than inpatient care, allowing individuals to continue their daily responsibilities while attending therapy sessions several times a week. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) can include individual counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention education.

Outpatient treatment is a great choice for those with milder addiction or as a step-down from inpatient care, as it provides ongoing support while helping patients reintegrate into their daily lives.

Support Groups and Peer Counseling

Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other 12-step programs provide a community of people who share experiences and support one another in recovery. These programs can be beneficial for addicted individuals as they can learn from people who are going through similar challenges.

Peer counseling and group therapy sessions are highly accessible and can be an essential component of a long-term recovery plan, especially when combined with other treatment methods.

Holistic Therapies

Holistic approaches like mindfulness meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and art therapy can complement traditional treatments for heroin addiction. These therapies focus on improving overall well-being, reducing stress, and promoting emotional healing. Alternative treatments acknowledge that addiction impacts the entire person—not just their physical health and mental health, but also other aspects of their lives.

By incorporating holistic therapies into a recovery plan, patients can address underlying emotional or psychological issues that may contribute to addiction, helping to create a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

Each of these treatment options can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual, often combining several approaches to create a comprehensive and personalized recovery plan.

Heroin is physically harmful, both in the short and long term. Its impact on the body is profound, causing irreversible damage and posing a high risk of death through overdose or associated lifestyle risks. However, with the right treatment and support, recovery is possible. The focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment is essential for helping those struggling with addiction reclaim their lives.

 

Sources:

[1]: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/heroin

[2]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-long-term-effects-heroin-use

[3]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-heroin-use

[4]: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/heroin-use

[5]: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-treatments-heroin-use-disorder

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Fel Clinical Director of Content
Felisa Laboro has been working with addiction and substance abuse businesses since early 2014. She has authored and published over 1,000 articles in the space. As a result of her work, over 1,500 people have been able to find treatment. She is passionate about helping people break free from alcohol or drug addiction and living a healthy life.

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