Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive opiate drug made from the resin of opium poppies.

H, kit, brown, gear, smack.

A fine powder that ranges in colour from white and off-white to brown and grey.

Physical Signs

Tiny pupils
Frequent scratching
Noticeable weight loss
Excessive sleepiness
Needle marks: On the arms or other body parts, along with a general deterioration in appearance
Dry mouth and flushed skin
Sudden bouts of falling asleep
Slow, shallow breathing

Behavioural Signs

Poor performance at work or school along with social isolation and secretive behaviour
Avoiding eye contact
Wearing long sleeves and long trousers: To cover up injection site marks
Constant itching of the neck and arms
Poor decision-making and increased risk-taking behaviours
Lying to friends and family about drug use
Argumentative and suspicious behaviour

Physical Dependence: Dependence on opiates can develop quickly, often within a few days of use.
Withdrawal Symptoms: Users may experience severe withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not taken.
Injection Risks: Injecting heroin can lead to collapsed veins and skin abscesses.
Snorting Risks: Snorting heroin can cause damage to the nostrils and lead to lung disease.
Smoking Risks: Smoking heroin can damage the lips, mouth, and lungs.
Organ Damage: Heroin use can result in liver and kidney disease.
Infections: Sharing needles can lead to bacterial and viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis.
Overdose Risk: Heroin use significantly increases the risk of overdose, which can be fatal.
Mental Health Issues: Chronic use can lead to severe mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

Find help and support for Heroin

links to help and support specific to Heroin will be added into here.

These will be added into the back end of the site and categorised accordingly. The category will then be brought through into here.