What You Need to Know About Drugs: Heroin

Heroin belongs to a group of pain-relieving drugs called narcotics. Although certain narcotics such as codeine and morphine are legal if prescribed (given) by doctors to treat pain, such as when someone has surgery or breaks a bone, heroin is an illegal narcotic because it is has dangerous side effects and is very addictive.

Many people who are addicted to heroin inject the drug into a vein using needles. They may inject the drug several times a day. Over time, the needles will leave scars, sometimes called tracks, all over the body. 

Often, heroin addicts will share needles, which can lead to infection with dangerous germs like hepatitis B or C or HIV , the virus that causes AIDS.

Heroin is a very addictive drug and many people find it extremely difficult to stop using it - even after using heroin for just the first or second time. Heroin users constantly crave their next dose.

If heroin addicts suddenly try to stop using the drug or are unable to get another dose, they often develop withdrawal symptoms, like feelings of panic, sleeplessness, bad chills and sweats, seizures, or convulsions (severe shaking).

If you take an overdose of heroin, it can stop your breathing and kill you.