What Does Heroin Feel Like?
What does heroin feel like? What is it about this drug that has gripped so many people in the United States and around the world? Why do people continue to use heroin despite the incredibly dangerous nature of the drug and its adverse effects?
It’s difficult to understand why people use heroin if you don’t know what heroin feels like or have never done it. There have been descriptions and essays written by people who try to convey the answer to “what does heroin feel like.” They describe using heroin as an experience that makes their life worth living.
Unfortunately, the good feelings quickly turn to a sense of desperation and a sickness.
Heroin is an opioid and similar to prescription opioid medication. Heroin binds to a person’s opioid receptors and releases the feel-good chemical dopamine, which increases pleasurable feelings and ignites a reward response in the brain.
Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700Effects of heroin vary based on how someone takes the drug. It can be smoked, injected or snorted. When someone injects heroin into a vein, it creates an immediate high. When it’s injected into a muscle, effects may not be as intense or manifest as fast. When someone snorts it or smokes heroin, effects can be less intense than injection and take 10 minutes to develop.
When someone stops using the drug suddenly, also called “cold turkey,” they’ll likely experience severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms lasting around one week. The withdrawal symptoms also depend on how long and at what dosage someone used heroin.
Mild heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramping
- Tearing
- Runny nose
- Sweats
- Yawning
- Chills
- Achiness
- Diarrhea
- Agitation
- Tremors
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
Severe heroin withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypertension, muscle spasms, respiration problems, cravings and difficulty experiencing pleasure.
Heroin use can be dangerous and continued abuse of the drug can lead to a severe addiction. The opioid’s effects wear off quickly and leaves a persistent desire to use the drug again in order to achieve the same pleasurable feeling.
Have more questions about Heroin abuse?
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See more topicsSeeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700