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Opiates
Opiates (heroin, opium, codein, morphine) is processed from morphine, a
naturally occurring substance extracted from the seedpod of the Asian poppy
plant. Heroin usually appears as a white or brown powder. Street names for
heroin include "smack," "H," "skag," and "junk." Other names may refer to types
of heroin produced in a specific geographical area, such as "Mexican black tar."
The short-term effects of heroin abuse appear soon after a single dose and
disappear in a few hours. After an injection of heroin, the user reports feeling
a surge of euphoria ("rush") accompanied by a warm flushing of the skin, a dry
mouth, and heavy extremities. Following this initial euphoria, the user goes "on
the nod," an alternately wakeful and drowsy state. Mental functioning becomes
clouded due to the depression of the central nervous system. Long-term effects
of heroin appear after repeated use for some period of time. Chronic users may
develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses,
cellulitis, and liver disease. Pulmonary complications, including various types
of pneumonia, may result from the poor health condition of the abuser, as well
as from heroin’s depressing effects on respiration.
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