Question 1

could heroin have any medical uses?

Accepted Answer

Afraid not ...: The risk to benefit ratio is way too big.

Question 2

what are the medical complications associated with chronic heroin abuse?

Accepted Answer

Many: Long lasting changes to neurotransmitter in the brain, alteration of hormones such as testosterone and thyroid. Iv use increases risk with blood borne infections such as HIV and hep c, accesses infection of heart valves. These are some long term risks, obviously with prolonged use risk increase from acute od such as respiratory depression and death.

Question 3

are enlarged liver and  cardiac hypertrophy related in any way?  what can cause it? my boyfriend, with no prior medical conditions died from this and it does not run in the family. he did have a history of drug use in the past (smoke heroin)

Accepted Answer

Not directly related: Heart hypertrophy and enlarged liver are not directly related most of the time but certainly both can be related to drug use.

Question 4

why can't i quit heroin?

Accepted Answer

Addiction to Heroin: Your brain has receptors that when given an opioid medication, heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, will be stimulated, which causes as cascade of Dopamine down the "reward pathway."  for some individuals this is very strong, and they crave multiple doses and stronger doses, leading to addiction.  A supportive treatment program that includes detox can get you going the right direction.

Question 5

how does heroin affect your body?

Accepted Answer

Where to start?: Heroin, if pure (as in England) used with sterile precautions, has same side effects as any other opioid - constipation, respiratory depression if excessive, and producing physical dependency - withdrawal if stopped abruptly. However, non-sterile injected heroin can cause abscesses in skin, brain, lung, bone &amp; heart valves,  pulmonary edema and kidney failure, hepB/C, AIDS&amp;other infections.

Question 6

what is the drug that stops heroin?

Accepted Answer

Heroin antidote: Naloxone (Narcan).

Question 7

what are the effects of using heroin?

Accepted Answer

Too many to count: Pure pharmaceutical heroin does what any other opioid would do - reduce pain, produce sedation and euphoria, and if the dose is too high - cause stupor, coma and ultimately respiratory failure and death. However, heroin found in US is NOT pure or sterile, and contaminants and unsterile use (with needle/works sharing) result in infections like hep B/C, AIDS, as well as severe addiction/dependency.

Question 8

can i die from taing too much heroin?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can die from taking a little heroin.  Any amount of heroin is too much heroin.

Question 9

what sorts of effects does heroin have?

Accepted Answer

Effects: Simple answer. ..  Nothing good. All bad and no good.
From distorted veins, to loss of family, your own dignity, Jobs  and responsibilities, to stealing and robbing on to bigger crimes 
Not talking of your own health ramifications 
which are too numerous to count.

Question 10

how long does heroin stay in your body?

Accepted Answer

Heroin: The half life of heroin is 8 hours.  Generally it take 5 half lives for a drug to be removed from the body.  Thus, heroin is metabolized and out of the body in 40 hours if the body is functioning correctly.

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Doctor answers about:

Medical use for heroin

A member asked:

Could heroin have any medical uses?

A member asked:

What are the medical complications associated with chronic heroin abuse?

A member asked:

Are enlarged liver and cardiac hypertrophy related in any way? what can cause it? my boyfriend, with no prior medical conditions died from this and it does not run in the family. he did have a history of drug use in the past (smoke heroin)

A member asked:

Why can't i quit heroin?

A member asked:

How does heroin affect your body?

A member asked:

What is the drug that stops heroin?

A member asked:

What are the effects of using heroin?

A member asked:

Can i die from taing too much heroin?

A member asked:

What sorts of effects does heroin have?

A member asked:

How long does heroin stay in your body?

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