Is Heroin an Opiate?

Everyone has heard of the epidemic that is opiate addiction. Most often when you see it in the news they are talking about prescription pills. As a heroin user you recognize that you suffer from some of the same things, making you wonder if heroin is an opiate.

What is an Opiate?

In order to answer that question, you first need to understand what an opiate is. An opiate is any chemical compound resulting from the extracts of the Asian opium poppy. It is also known as a semi-synthetic drug.

This, of course includes some of prescription painkillers you hear so much about, but it also includes heroin. It is, perhaps, the most addictive of all opiates and most in need of treatment protocols. For help finding treatment for heroin addiction call us at 888-959-0638.

Where Does Heroin Come From?

Opiates are chemicals derived from the opium poppy plant.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin is made from a derivative of morphine, a naturally occurring substance that is extracted from the seeds of the opium poppies grown in central Asia.

This derivative chemical is then mixed with the chemical catalyst acetic anhydride to create pure heroin. The resulting substance is diluted, or “cut”, before being sold for illicit use that will require addiction treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Heroin Addiction?

Like all drugs addictions, heroin addiction has a number of recognizable symptoms. These include:

pulling away from friends and family
doing things you would normally never consider doing in order to get heroin
needing more and more heroin to achieve the same high
continuing to use heroin even though you recognize that it is destroying your life
being unable to function without heroin in your system
withdrawal symptoms any time you are without heroin

All of these symptoms point to a heroin addiction that requires immediate treatment.

Can you Overdose on Heroin?

Heroin is often highly toxic, very powerful, and its effects are amplified when it is combined with alcohol. Heroin also breeds dependence and tolerance very quickly, leading to users taking more frequent and larger doses. More often than not, overdose is the result.

It should also be mentioned that the majority of overdose deaths related to heroin occur in people that relapse after detox. This is because their tolerance is low and they use far too much of the drug, causing an overdose. This highlights the need for proper addiction treatment.

What are the Most Common Signs of Using Heroin?

Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

According to the National Library of Medicine, withdrawal from opiates like heroin has a number of very severe and unpleasant symptoms, such as:

trouble sleeping
anxiety
depression
vomiting
diarrhea
muscle cramping
joint pain

These symptoms are extremely difficult to deal with and may even be life threatening. The best way to avoid or ease these symptoms is to seek heroin addiction treatment.

Treatment for Heroin Addiction

If you are suffering from a heroin addiction, it is imperative that you get treatment as soon as possible. Every moment that you delay you are putting yourself at greater risk of dying from overdose, or contracting HIV and hepatitis. Call us at 888-959-0638 and we can get you the help you need today.