With the exception of anabolic steroids, drugs in the other classes are utilized to alter mood, thought, and feeling through their actions on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). For example, some of these drugs alleviate pain, anxiety, or depression. Some induce sleep and others energize. Though therapeutically useful, the “feel good” effects of these drugs contribute to their abuse. The extent to which a substance is reliably capable of producing intensely pleasurable feelings (euphoria) increases the likelihood of that substance being abused.
One of the most detrimental long-term effects of heroin is addiction itself. Addiction is a characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain. Heroin also produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence, which are also powerful motivating factors for compulsive use and abuse. As with abusers of any addictive drug, heroin abusers gradually spend more and more time and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once they are addicted, the heroin abusers’ primary purpose in life becomes seeking and using drugs. The drugs literally change their brains.
Heroin abuse during pregnancy, together with related factors like poor nutrition and inadequate prenatal care, has been associated with adverse consequences including low birth-weight, an important risk factor for later developmental delay. If the mother is regularly abusing the drug, the infant may be born physically dependent on heroin and could suffer from serious medical complications requiring hospitalization.
When people addicted to heroin try to stop using they can experience extreme withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can include:
• Extreme craving for the drug.
• Restlessness.
• Muscle and bone pain.
• Vomiting.
The most severe heroin withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after stopping use and can last up until a week.
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