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What is Synthetic Heroin?

What is Synthetic Heroin?

Heroin is already one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs, but there is a synthetic version. What is synthetic heroin?

The drug Heroin is processed from the opium poppy seed plant. This plant is what also makes morphine that is the main chemical in all opioid drugs and medications. Heroin does not grow out of the ground and is created/ synthesized from opium poppy seed plants. The resulting product we call Heroin is either a brownish-white powder or a black sticky substance, or tar. Both formulations of Heroin have been made by man and can be said to have been synthesized. What is Synthetic Heroin?

What is Synthetic Heroin?

Unlike the word synthetic implies as fake or unnatural, Heroin is a drug produced from a plant. There is no such thing as lab-created or synthetic Heroin. Today, the word synthetic and its use usually imply that it (the drug) is more potent. This confusion about the term synthetic surrounding Heroin is likely due to the ever-devastating and very synthetic opioid pain killer known as Fentanyl. Fentanyl is an artificial/synthetic opioid. It does not contain morphine from the poppy seed plant. There is no such thing as synthetic Heroin, only references to Fentanyl laced Heroin which qualifies as synthetic. Most of the Heroin found in the United States comes from China and Mexico and is not synthetic. 

How To Tell When Someone is Addicted to Heroin?

It won’t always be obvious when someone is addicted to Heroin, at least not at first. Most people can maintain their jobs and regular commitments for about one year. After one year though, their life begins to fall apart rapidly. In the second and third years of this addiction, their priorities are centered around getting Heroin. They lose their jobs, start asking for money, and usually concoct lies to get it from their family. The most obvious sign of heroin addiction will be heroin withdrawal symptoms.

What Are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Heroin is a physically addicting drug. Anyone who is addicted will get violently sick when they do not use Heroin every day. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are also called detox symptoms. They will start within a few hours of the last use and get worse as time goes on for about ten days or longer. Heroin detox is a medical emergency, and people require safe and effective opioid replacement drugs to help them get through it. Heroin withdrawal includes:

  • Flu-like symptoms (sneezing, chills, cold sweats, runny nose, fever)
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle and bone pain
  • Insomnia
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Agitation, anxiety, and depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Intense cravings and desperation for Heroin

What is a Heroin Detox Program?

A Heroin detox program is also called a medically supervised opioid detox. This is because heroin requires medications and doctor supervision. Therefore, the heroin detox program we recommend will be overseen by an entire medical staff specializing in Heroin and other opioid detoxification. The opioid replacement drugs that help the patient detox symptom-free are buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and other prescription medications to counter symptoms. A Medically Supervised Heroin Detox to get clean will take from ten days up to two weeks.

What Do the Experts Recommend for Heroin Detox?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports medication-assisted treatment, also known as MAT. It is also referred to as an opioid replacement drug. They reference them as an effective medicine for the treatment of opioid addiction.

Medicines to help people stop using Heroin include buprenorphine and methadone. They work by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain as Heroin, heroin weakly, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another treatment is naltrexone, which blocks opioid receptors and prevents opioid drugs from having an effect. (NIDA)

Call Now for Priority Entry to Heroin Detox and Treatment

The main worry that all heroin addicts have when they begin to feel withdrawal symptoms is to feel better quickly. Therefore, we were to connect our clients to heroin detox and treatment, where they are drugged upon arrival. Medications are vital, but so is their emotional and mental health. All patients are also assessed by psychiatric doctors and provided support from addiction counselors. Give Evoke Waltham a call for immediate entry to detox and treatment programs. We can help anyone on their path to a sober and happier lifestyle.