Alcohol and Substance Abuse – Opiates

• Heroin [Horse, Junk, Smack, Snow, "H", Brown, Black]
• Morphine
• Codeine (OxyContin, Tylenol with Codeine)
• Methadone, LAAM

What The Drugs Looks Like:

• Heroin comes in the form of a white or brown crystalline substance that can be powdered.
• Commercial opioid medications come in pill and liquid forms.

Most Typical Routes Of Administration:

• Nose (snorting powered form)
• Lungs (inhaling pipe smoke)
• Mouth (swallowing pills)
• IV (injection into a vein)

What These Drugs Do (Symptoms Typical Of Intoxication):

• Short term effects:
  • The intense "rush" which most abusers prefer is obtained from intravenous injection
  • Feeling of well being, euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness and mental confusion
  • Higher doses and overdose can cause: sleep; very low blood pressure, slowed heart rate and respiration; low body temperature; muscle constriction; cold clammy skin; cyanosis (not enough oxygen in the bloodstream); coma and death.
  • Physical as well as emotional responses to pain are numbed
  • Apathy and an inability to concentrate,
  • Nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills
  • Slowed pulse, rate of breathing and lowered blood pressure
• Long term effects:
  • Chronic constipation
  • Impaired vision
  • Mood swings and instability
  • As tolerance develops, the user can no longer get the pleasurable effects, but must continue taking the drug to prevent withdrawal.

Pattern of Withdrawal Symptoms:

Symptoms last 10-14 days or even longer

• Chills and hot flashes
• Sweating
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Dilated pupils
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Yawning fits
• Diarrhea
• Panic attacks
• Bone aches
• Muscle aches
• Lethargy

Most Significant Problems:

• High possibility of a potentially fatal overdose
• Addictive with strong, painful withdrawal symptoms
• May possibly contribute to depression or anxiety

How Tested For:

• Blood Test (remains positive for approx. 2 days after last dose)