HEROIN

By Tlotli Mhlanga
Contents
WHAT IS HEROIN..........................................................................3
HOW IT LOOKS LIKE AND WHERE IT IS FOUND...........................3
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS...............................................................4
HEROIN ADDICTION AND WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS................6
WHICH AGE GROUPS ARE HEROIN MORE POPULAR?.................7
HOW IS A HEROIN ADDICTION TREATED?...................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................8
REFERENCES.................................................................................8
PICTURES......................................................................................8
WHAT IS HEROIN
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive analgesic drug

DANGER
derived from morphine. Heroin is also a narcotic (a
pain-relieving drug). It is often used illicitly as a
narcotic which produces euphoria. Street names
include, horse, smack, big H, black tar, cabolla, 8-
ball, junk, TNT, sugar, nyaope, plazama and kwape.

HOW IT LOOKS LIKE AND WHERE

IT IS FOUND
Heroin comes from the opium poppy plant that
grows in South America, Asia, Mexico. Pure heroin
has the consistency of powder. You can find in a
dark brown, white powder or as a liquid with the
consistency of sticky black tar.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The changes of someone using heroin include:





Depression
Anxiety
Mood swings
Hostility towards others
DA
 Agitation and irritability
 Weight loss
 Bruising
 Disorientation
 Paranoia
The short-term symptoms of someone using
heroin include:
 Euphoria
 A dry mouth
  Warm, flushed skin
 Arms and legs that feel heavy
 Upset stomach and vomiting
 Itching
 A fuzzy brain
 Switching in and out of drowsiness
 Bad complexion
The long-term emotional and physical effects of
someone using heroin
Include:
 Collapsed veins
 Insomnia
 Infections of the heart lining and valves
 Constant skin infections
 A higher chance of getting HIV and AIDS,
hepatitis B, hepatitis C
 Liver or kidney disease
 Mental disorder
 Pneumonia and tuberculosis
 Miscarriage and menstrual problems
HEROIN ADDICTION AND
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Heroin addiction
Heroin is addictive and makes a person develop a
disorder which causes health problems,
disabilities, trouble at home, work, or school. If
you use heroin a lot your body builds a
tolerance to heroin. It means you need more of
it to get the same ‘high’.
When you withdraw from heroin you might
experience these symptoms:
 Jitters.
 The chills.
 Vomiting.
  Diarrhea.
 Bone and muscle pain.
 Insomnia.
 Cold flashes.
 Leg movements you can’t control.
WHICH AGE GROUP IS HEROIN
MORE POPULAR?
Children as young as 11 years of age are being

DANGER
treated are beings treated for heroin
addiction. Heroin has become more popular
within young professionals and teenagers (13
to 25). This is because of peer pressure, social
media, curiosity, the influence of Culture and
Society and the desire to be themselves.
HOW IS A HEROIN ADDICTION
TREATED?
MAT (medication-assisted-treatment)
provides more comprehensive, individually
tailored of medication and behavioral therapy
 for the heroin addict. The outcome will
provide a better chance of the heroin addict
to live longer. Medicines will help wean your
body off heroin and will help stop cravings for
heroin. Behavioral therapy will help you get
your mind off thinking about drug abuse.

DANGER
CONCLUSION
Heroin is drug used illicitly as a narcotic. It is a
dangerous and addictive drug. It is mainly
snorted, smoked, and injected. It can cause
anxiety, depression, and constant tiredness. An
overdose of heroin can death. The drug is
becoming more popular amongst young adults
and can be treated in rehab or in the process of
MAT.

REFERENCES
https://www.webmd.com
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/heroin.html
https://www.optionsbehavioralhealthsystem.com/addiction/heroin/
effects-signs-symptoms/
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/he

PICTURES

The
short-term effects of heroin

The long-term effects of

heroin