ALCOHOL

HEROIN

• Heroin is an extremely addictive opioid drug(pain relievers) that can

produce significantly pleasurable cognitive effects.
• When someone uses heroin, it activates opioid receptors in the brain
which ultimately results in altered pain perception and a rush of
rewarding, euphoric feelings. An accompanying surge of dopamine in
the brain reward center reinforces continued heroin use — often
compelling the heroin user to want more of this drug and crave
experiencing its high again and again.
 OPIOD ADDICTION
• In addition to developing opioid dependence, people who use heroin
commonly build significant opioid tolerance, meaning that increasingly
large or more frequent doses of heroin may be needed for them to
experience the sought after high.
• This can be dangerous for many reasons: First, the more often someone
uses heroin, and the more heroin they use, the more likely they are to
overdose. Second, people who may have started smoking or snorting
heroin may be prompted to start injecting the drug to more quickly
elicit an intense high. Intravenous heroin use can also lead to overdose,
but may also increase the risk of skin infections, certain cardiovascular
issues, as well as various blood borne illnesses, such as HIV.
 WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
• The physical symptoms of of heroin withdrawal, such as diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• achy muscles and bones, and chills,
can often make it more challenging to quit because the person
may be tempted to resume using the drug to delay or otherwise
decrease the unpleasant sensations of withdrawal