Opiates: Their History, Characteristics and Effects.

HEROIN abuse; CENTRAL nervous system depressants; DRUGS of abuse; DRUG addiction; NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY; OPIUM War, China, 1840-1842; DRUG withdrawal symptoms; INTRAVENOUS drug abusers; PEOPLE with drug addiction

The article presents information on the history, characteristics and effects of opiates, with special reference to heroin. Wars have been fought over heroin in places like China, which indicates that opium has been used for centuries as both a recreational drug and for medicinal purposes. Heroin, which is a depressant drug comes from the opium poppy and is a close relative of opium, morphine and codeine, which also come from the opium plant. Heroin is usually injected, although it can be smoked or snorted through the nose. Often the preparation and the utensils used for making the heroin powder are not clean, and the act of injecting itself has serious risks. The effects of heroin could become very dangerous if the amount of heroin is increased or, if it is mixed with other drugs (usually alcohol). Heroin is highly addictive and physical or psychological dependence among those using it can occur pretty quickly. Eventually, people who develop dependence also develop tolerance, thus needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect.