If you are wondering “What are common heroin street names” then you have come to the right place. At Royal Life Centers, we understand that it is important for people to be informed about heroin and other opioids. By knowing the common heroin street names, you can protect yourself and make educated decisions when it comes to your health and well-being.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a powerful and highly addictive opioid with an extensive history of abuse in the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) currently classifies heroin as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has a high risk for abuse and no accepted medical uses.
As the opioid epidemic continues to spread throughout the country, knowing how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from these dangerous drugs is more important than ever. Being able to recognize the various different slang terms used to refer to heroin is an important step in the right direction.
Once you know how to identify heroin and recognize the signs of an addiction to this drug, you can start looking for treatment options. Royal Life Centers can provide the care you or your loved one needs to achieve long-term recovery from substance abuse.
What Does Heroin Look Like?
Heroin is made from morphine, a naturally occurring opioid that is derived from the opium poppy plant native to Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. It can most often be found as a white or brown powder but also comes in the form of a black, sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.”
Most people will inject, snort, sniff, or smoke this drug depending on the type of high they are looking for. It is also common practice to mix heroin with other drugs, such as cocaine, a process known as “speedballing” that provides a more fast and intense high – as well as a more dangerous one.
What Does Heroin Feel Like?
Heroin is a depressant drug, meaning it slows down the system and has a sedative effect. This drug works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, producing feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and even relieving pain.
However, these pleasant side effects are generally short-lived and are often followed by far less enjoyable and even dangerous symptoms. When misused, heroin can easily lead to life-threatening side effects, especially if taken over a long period of time.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were around 9,173 deaths reported in 2021 as a result of heroin. Nearly 75% of these overdose deaths also involved the use of other synthetic opioids, with fentanyl being a key player in these numbers.
What Are Common Heroin Street Names?
With the serious threat that heroin poses to communities throughout the nation, it is important to recognize this drug in all of its forms to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. This includes knowing the many different heroin nicknames that may be used to refer to this drug.
When it comes to slang for heroin, some of the most common names given to this drug include:
- Big H
- Brown Sugar
- Antifreeze
- Junk
- Mug
- Tar
- Train
- Skag
- China White
- Dope
- Hanoi Rocks
- Hell Dust
- Horse
- Smack
- Nose drops
- White Nurse
Many of these terms originate from the drug’s appearance, effects, and history. For example, the name Brown Sugar can be attributed to how heroin looks in its less refined powder form, which takes on the appearance of brown granules that can resemble brown sugar to the unsuspecting eye.
No matter how many other names for heroin are created, there is no hiding the fact that this drug is extremely dangerous and has the ability to cause serious damage to you and the people around you.
What Are The Effects of Heroin Abuse?
People who use heroin often experience a euphoric “high” resulting from the drug’s effect on the brain and body. While this is the most commonly known effect of heroin, there are many other side effects of heroin abuse.
Heroin’s short-term effects include:
- Altered brain activity
- Decreased pain
- Constricted pupils
- Flushed skin
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Labored breathing
- Slowed heart rate
- Heavy limbs
- Severe itching
In high doses, heroin abuse can also lead to respiratory failure and death, also known as heroin overdose. People who use heroin for extended periods of can also experience serious, potentially fatal health issues.
Long-term effects of heroin include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Skin abscesses
- Lung complications
- Nose damage
- Liver damage
- Heart infections
- Collapsed veins from injection use
- Death due to an opioid overdose
- Permanent brain damage
Despite the many life-threatening risk factors of heroin many people still abuse the illicit opioid drug and become addicted. For this reason, understanding heroin addiction often comes down to how heroin affects the brain.
How Does Heroin Affect the Brain?
Heroin can affect the brain in many ways, none of which are good. When heroin binds to opioid receptors in the brain, it takes control of the areas responsible for controlling pain, pleasure, and reward. This interaction releases a flood of dopamine into the system, which is the neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure. This surge of dopamine produces a euphoric “rush,” one of the main reasons why people become addicted to heroin so quickly.
With long-term use of heroin, you can develop permanent changes in your brain. These changes can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a chronic brain disorder that will be difficult to recover from on your own. The long-term effects of heroin use can also include damage to the brain’s white matter, impairing cognitive function. This includes your decision-making abilities, impulse control, and attention.
These are just a few of the many dangerous side effects heroin abuse can have. If you are struggling with this substance, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. This is a very serious disease, but with the right support and care, you can recover from it.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Abuse?
Admitting you may have a substance abuse problem can be scary and difficult, but coming to terms with your condition is the first and most important step you will take on your path to recovery. The symptoms of heroin addiction can vary depending on the person, amount used, length of usage, and several other factors.
Common signs of heroin use and addiction include:
- Changes in mood, such as increased irritability, aggression, or depression.
- Changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn or isolated.
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
- Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school.
- Stealing or borrowing money to support your drug use.
- Spending more time with people who use drugs.
- Lying or covering up your drug use.
- Using drugs in dangerous situations, such as driving while high.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be abusing heroin, it is important to talk to them about your concerns. Our program offers many effective treatments for heroin addiction and can help you achieve long-term recovery.
Heroin Treatment at Royal Life Centers
Families often find themselves asking “What are the signs of heroin abuse” and “What are common heroin street names” when searching for answers to their erratic loved one’s behavior. If you think you or someone you know may have a problem with heroin, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
At Royal Life Centers, our heroin rehabs offer comprehensive and individualized addiction treatment programs to assist each of our guests in overcoming heroin addiction. From medically assisted detox programs to one-on-one counseling and therapy sessions, our experienced team is here to help individuals find the path to long-term recovery.
When you receive treatment for heroin with Royal Life Centers at the Haven, you will have access to a wide variety of addiction treatment services during our inpatient levels of care which include:
After completing treatment in detox and residential, you can transition into our aftercare facility located next door, Sound Recovery, or one of our other outpatient treatment centers to continue treatment during:
During treatment, we also provide specialized treatment for opioid abuse including:
- Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services to minimize the effects of heroin withdrawal
- Psychoeducation on the negative impacts of heroin addiction on quality of life
- Relapse prevention planning to combat triggers and cravings during recovery from heroin addiction
If you are ready to take the first steps toward opioid addiction recovery, contact us today by calling 877-RECOVERY. Our compassionate staff is dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans for each and every guest. Together, we can help you overcome heroin addiction and find a life of freedom from drugs and alcohol.
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