HEROIN
Heroin Chemistry
www.erowid.org/entheogens/heroin/heroin_chemistry.shtml

NAME: Diacetylmorphine
CHEMICAL NAME: (5alpha,6alpha)-7, 8-Didehydro-4, 5-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3, 6-diol diacetate (ester)
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES: heroin, diamorphine, acetomorphine
CHEMICAL FORMULA: C21H23NO5
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 369.42
MELTING POINT: 243-244° (hydrochloride monohydrate-fine crystals)

Heroin
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What is Heroin?

Heroin is one of many drugs classed as "opiates". The name comes from "opium" which is the original drug in the family. Opium, which is dried poppy sap, may be refined into morphine and codeine. Through minor chemical treatment "semisynthetic opiates" such as heroin, hydromorphine (Dilaudid) and oxycodine (Percodan) are produced. Through chemistry, not relying on the products of nature, completely synthetic opiates may be manufactured {(e.g., Meperidine (Remeral) or proporyphere (Darvon)}.

Why is Heroin Addictive?

Addictive drugs have two things in common. They produce an initial pleasurable effect followed by a rebound unpleasant effect. Heroin and other opiates mimic certain chemicals that are present in the brain (.e.g., endorphins and enkephalins) that block pain and induce a feeling of pleasure. These chemicals are released in larger quantities when we have sex, exercise, laugh or do enjoyable work (the "natural highs").

Heroin and other opiate drugs produce these same good feelings. However, unlike the "endogenous opiates" that we produce ourselves, a tolerance is built up to heroin and similar drugs so that it takes more and more to get the pleasurable feeling. When the person fails to take the drugs, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms occur.

These brain cells represent a simplified way of looking at the BRAIN'S REWARD SYSTEM. On the left we see the various drives and needs of the body; sex, hunger, thirst and friendship. When these drives are satisfied, or when pain is relieved, a signal is sent to certain brain cells (the "monitor cell" on the left) which manufacture a chemical substance that signals reward. When these "monitor cells" have been stimulated, a signal is sent to the tip where a small amount of this reward chemical is released. The chemical (or neurotransmitter) then reaches and stimulates the reward center, causing a feeling of well-being.

Heroin produces as artificial feeling of pleasure. This is like having counterfeit money which will fit into the slot machine. When the drug comes in, it stimulates the reward center. This short circuits the survival mechanism, because the reward center cell can't tell the difference between the drug and the natural messenger.

The result is a dependence on the immediate, fast, predictable drug which, at the same time, short circuits interests in and the motivation to make life's normal rewards work.

What is Heroin Withdrawal Like?

Heroin and other opiate withdrawal symptoms are extremely uncomfortable, but are not likely to be fatal or lead to permanent injury. The symptoms occur because there is no longer enough opiate present to cause a pleasurable, or even a normal feeling. The symptoms usually begin four to twelve hours after the last dose. The symptoms typically reach their peak in thirty-six to seventy-two hours. Early symptoms include:

"Goose flesh" Hot and cold flashes Runny nose Diarrhea Abdominal cramps Muscle pain and spasm

Joint aching Insomnia Malaise ("feels like the flu") Yawning Irritability Sweating

The intensity of the symptoms vary directly with the dose and duration of use of the drug. These acute symptoms are usually greatly improved by the fifth day and are largely gone by seven to ten days. (This is true for heroin but may vary somewhat with other opiates such as Methadone where the symptoms tend to come on later and last longer.).

This acute withdrawal is followed by a "protracted abstinence syndrome" from about week four to week ten or longer. It consists of a mild increase in blood pressure, restlessness, restless sleep, irritability, and craving for the drug.

What are the Dangers of Heroin and Other Opiate Addiction?

The first, and most rapidly lethal danger is that of overdose. This is most likely to occur with intravenous use and often occurs because the user happened to get a higher quality of heroin than usual (less adulterated with other substances). The symptoms include:

• Decreased respirations
• Blue lips
• Pinpoint pupils
• Pulmonary edema (excessive fluid in the lungs) characterized by rattling respirations
• Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heat beat) particularly with proporyphere (Darvon,
  meperidine (Demerol) or Codeine

Death generally results from the decreased (or absent) respirations and/or pulmonary edema.

With intravenous drug use a host of additional health dangers exist:

• HIV/AIDS infection
• Hepatitis B (which may progress to cirrhosis)
• Hepatitis C (which may progress to cirrhosis)
• Abscesses and other infections of the veins, skin and muscle
• Endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart and heart valves which may lead
  to rupture of the valves, stroke, heart failure and death.)
• Bone and joint infections
• Pneumonia
• Kidney failure from infections and/or adulterants in the drug
• Injury to the retina of the eyes from adulterants in the drug
• Asthma-like wheezing and spasm, particularly common from inhaling the fumes of the
  heated drug ("chasing the dragon")
• Impaired immunity to disease

In addition to the major health problems there are a host of other life problems such as:

• Loss of family
• Loss of job
• Loss of friends
• Arrest and incarceration
• Loss of self respect