Opioids and Prescription Opioids
Opioids are dangerous drugs found in the opium producing poppy plant. Consuming these drugs may cause a negative effect on your brain. Many doctors prescribe opioid drugs to reduce pain however consuming more than the prescribed quantity can be dangerous. It is a major reason why many people refer to opioid drugs as painkillers. If you are looking for an answer to the question, “is heroin an opioid,” then you are at the right place. Before learning about heroin, let us talk about opioids.
Many prescription opioids block pain signals that your body sends to the brain. Consuming the amount prescribed by the doctor can reduce moderate as well as chronic pain. Furthermore, opioids make people feel happy, high, and relaxed. But, opioids are addictive and dangerous drugs.
When you consume this drug without a doctor’s prescription, it may harm your body. The consequences can be dangerous and may even lead to an overdose. You might experience constipation, slowed breathing, and drowsiness. In severe cases, overdosing can lead to death.
What is Heroin? Is Heroin an Opioid?
Since heroin is extracted from opium poppy flower, it is an opioid drug. This drug grows in South America, Asia, and Mexico and is then transferred to the rest of the world. It is highly addictive with extreme withdrawal symptoms. Since 1924, the United States’ drug regulating authorities have restricted the consumption of Heroin. This sticky black or brown powder drug is illegal throughout the country. Many people refer to this drug as brown sugar, junk, smack, and horse.
Pure heroin is a white powder, which is derived from morphine alkaloids. This substance has a bitter taste and is highly addictive. Its potency is two to three times higher than morphine, and it contains euphoric properties.
Many people who are addicted to other opioid drugs switch to heroin because it has similar effects and is easier and cheaper to obtain.
Prescription Opioids and Heroin
Doctors prescribe opioid pain medication such as Vicodin and OxyContin to reduce pain. These opioid drugs have similar effects to heroin. According to research, the misuse of opioid drugs leads patients to consume heroin. According to data collected in 2011, about 4 to 6 percent people switched to heroin after misusing prescription opioids. Other studies suggest that people who consume heroin often consume this drug after misusing opioid for chronic pain treatment. About one third of people who consume heroin suggest that they first used opioid drugs.
Learn more about Opioids and Prescription Opioids
What Happens After Consuming Opioid Drugs?
When you consume an opioid such as heroin you will experience a rush of happiness and good feelings. After several hours the world around you slows down. You will start to think, act, and walk slowly. Many people say that they feel like they are in a dream.
Opioid drugs slow the breathing process, blocks pain signals, and reduce heart rate. In severe overdoses, you can’t recover your breathing process and eventually die. Many people consume opioid drugs to reduce stress, anxiety, and other mental problems. According to a study, about 75% of people use drugs to reduce mental health problems such as ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Side Effects of Heroin as an Opioid Drug
If you are still thinking, is heroin an opioid drug? The answer is yes, it is a metabolic opioid drug because it binds with opioid receptors in the brain. When injected, opioid drugs create a surge of euphoria with a warm feeling on the skin You may also notice a dry mouth or other side effects.
After that, you will experience a short interval of wakefulness and drowsiness. The switch between these states will confuse you. Depression in the central nervous system creates a clouded effect on mental functioning. Even if you take a single dose, you will experience the same effect, and the side effects will linger for a few hours.
You may also experience depression in the respiratory system. As a result, you will develop nausea and pinpoint pupils. The effects of opioid overdose include shallow and slow breathing. In severe conditions you will develop:
- Convulsions
- Muscle spasm
- Blue lips and nails
- Hypotension
- Coma
- Death
Also, when you inject drugs using needles, you are at high risk of developing hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and toxic reactions in the body. Other consequences of injecting heroin include:
- Abscesses
- Endocarditis
- Collapsed veins
- Spontaneous abortion
- Severe Addiction
- Pneumonia
How to Rehab from an Opioid Addiction?
Drug rehab centers can help reduce drug dependency symptoms and side effects. The rehab center contains professional doctors who will use various techniques to keep you sober. When you receive research-based treatment from a reputable rehab center, you can reduce opioid dependency. Here are some techniques that a professional rehab center offers:
- Individual therapies
- Family therapies
- Experimental therapies
- Behavioral and motivational therapies
- Detoxification
- 12-steps programs
- Healthcare programs
Hopefully, you find the answer to your question“is heroin an opioid drug”. It comes from the same opium poppy flower as other opioid drugs. That is why it has the same side effect, symptoms, and dependency.
Opioid addiction is similar to chronic diseases and you need proper treatment to cure the addiction relapse. A professional team of doctors can help you reduce drug dependency so you can develop a healthy recovery lifestyle.