Heroin

Heroin (INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is an opiate synthesized directly from the extracts of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, originally intended to break morphine addictions. It is the 3,6-diacetyl derivative of morphine (hence diacetylmorphine) and is synthesized by acetylation. The white crystalline form is commonly the hydrochloride salt diacetylmorphine hydrochloride. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been aptly described as an "orgasm" centered in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.

Due to heroin's mimicry of endorphins, it is used both as a pain-killer and a recreational drug. Frequent administration has a high potential for causing addiction and may quickly lead to tolerance, however occasional use may not lead to symptoms of withdrawal. If a continuous, sustained use of heroin for as little as three days is stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms can appear. This is much shorter than other common painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Internationally, heroin is controlled under Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is illegal to manufacture, possess, or sell heroin in the United States and the UK, however, under the name diamorphine, heroin is a legal prescription drug in the United Kingdom. Popular street names for heroin are gear, diesel, smack, B, boy, skag, Harry, Bobby, black tar, horse, honk, munge, junk, brok, jack, jenny, blow, brown, brown sugar, brownstone, dark, sweaty, dope, pof, sam, waccocco, lovage, dragon, bitch, skurge, ron, ice cube, jim, moop, sweet lady H and H.