Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Heroin can be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance is known as black tar heroin. Other common names for heroin include big H, horse, hell dust, and smack. People inject, sniff, snort, or smoke heroin.
Some people mix heroin with crack cocaine, a practice called speedballing. Heroin enters the brain rapidly and binds to opioid receptors on cells located in many areas, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure and in controlling heart rate, sleeping, and breathing.
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What is Methamphetamine?
Crystal meth is the common name for crystal methamphetamine, a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system. There is no legal use for it. It comes in clear crystal chunks or shiny blue-white rocks. Also called “ice” or “glass,” it’s a popular party drug. Usually, users smoke crystal meth with a small glass pipe, but they may also swallow it, snort it, or inject it into a vein. People say they have a quick rush of euphoria shortly after using it. But it’s dangerous. It can damage your body and cause severe psychological problems.
Methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that’s been around for a long time. During World War II, soldiers were given meth to keep them awake. People have also taken the drug to lose weight and ease depression. Today, the only legal meth product is a tablet for treating obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s rarely used and is available only by prescription.
Why Do People Mix Heroin and Meth?
Mixing heroin and meth is a dangerous cocktail that can have deadly consequences. However, combining sedatives and stimulants has been attractive to people using drugs for a long time. People who abuse drugs frequently combine different drugs to get enhanced effects of one or both substances. Often, this involves combining two drugs of the same type to strengthen the main effect of both drugs. However, in some cases, two drugs with different actions are combined because the combination can create a different effect, amplify the actions of both drugs, and counteract the negative effects of one substance.
What are the Dangers of Mixing Heroin and Meth?
One of the major risks of taking a stimulant with an opiate is the potential that the stimulant masks the negative effects of the depressant, making it hard to tell when an overdose point has been reached. For example, while the opiate may slow breathing, the stimulant might accelerate it, making one feel like breathing is normal.
This can make it harder to tell when the dose of heroin that is tolerated might have been exceeded, which can then lead to other overdose effects and result in death. In addition, the meth high generally lasts longer than the heroin high, causing the person to move from a slowed heart and respiration rate to a dramatically increased one. As with normal meth use, this can lead to sudden heart arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, and potential heart issues, such as stroke or heart failure.
How Can Recreate Life Counseling Help You?
Treatment plans here at Recreate Life Counseling are designed with respect for our clients’ core values. We understand that for our clients to achieve and stay in recovery we must believe in them and help them in their journey to recreating themselves and their lives. Here in Boynton Beach, Florida, we will create an individualized treatment program that meets the needs of each client so that the vision they have for their lives can become a reality.
We are constantly updating our theories and methods to avoid ineffective methods from the past. Our clients will be able to discuss rehab options that best fit their needs. We walk them through the entire recovery process. We encourage that you talk to one of our team experts in substance abuse to answer all your questions about getting help for yourself or an addicted loved one.