Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that heroin use is a problem plaguing countries all over the world. One of the most common and successful ways to combat heroin use is with pharmacological measures. The writer points out that naloxone, a narcotic antagonist, is used to reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. In 2002 it was approved in a combination tablet with buprenorphine for the treatment of heroin addiction. The writer discusses that the approval of the combination buprenorphine/naloxone tablet means that more nurses working in an outpatient setting will be administering naloxone to patients seeking help for heroin and opiate abuse. The writer them emphasizes the importance of explaining the indications and possible side effects of any drugs administered to patients, and to know the proper procedures to take should a patient misuse the medication. The writer concludes that hopefully, as the medical community becomes more aware of the problems associated with drug use and dependence, we will be able to come up with better solutions to solving the problem.

From the Paper
"In a study done by Cantwell et al., paramedics assessed patients for respiratory status, concurrent drug intoxication, and evaluated the patient according to the Glasgow Coma Scale. Overdose victims were more likely to receive less than the standard dose of naloxone with each single increase in number of breaths. With an increasing Glasgow Coma Scale score, patients were more likely to receive less than the standard dose of naloxone. Patients with concurrent alcohol intoxication were more likely to receive greater than the standard dose of naloxone. It is thought that alcohol combined with heroin causes greater CNS depression than that produced by heroin alone. The trend towards older patients, and male patients receiving higher doses was also seen. The study suggests that patients with a higher level of consciousness and respiratory rate require a smaller dose of naloxone to return to a normal state than those patients with a lower respiratory rate and decreased level of consciousness."

Tags:treatments, substance, drug, abuse

Abstract
This paper examines the problem of heroin addiction and abuse in the contemporary United States.

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the growing problem of heroin abuse in America. The paper explains what heroin is, how it is made, how it looks and how it is usually injected by the typical heroin addict. The paper also looks at where most heroin is manufactured and imported, who are the typical drug traffickers and trends in heroin use patterns. Additionally, the paper discusses the tremendous addictive quality of heroin, its effects on users, withdrawal symptoms, the dangers of overdosing and the long term physical and social damage caused by heroin abuse.

From the Paper
"A recent National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, estimates that 1.4 million people have used heroin in their lifetime. This estimate was about twice as large as the one conducted almost three short years earlier. With heroin use on the rise, getting the facts about heroin abuse and addiction to the public has never been more important. Heroin use started making a comeback in the mid-to-late 80's, and is becoming the new drug trend. Many substance abuse experts are worried, because the same factors that fueled the crack epidemic are now fueling the new explosion of heroin. Researchers have found that whenever there is a stimulant epidemic, it is usually followed by an opiate epidemic. Why? Because what goes up, must come down. Besides smoking heroin is becoming popular with many who are already abusing crack. Mixing heroin with crack takes the edge off the crack high and mellows the "crash" that follows."

Tags:opiates, morphine, extracted, seed, pod, poppy, plants, synthesized, medicine, white, powder

Abstract
Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and friends changes, as does their performance at school or work. Substance abuse addicts generally spend their entire lives either concentrating on obtaining more drugs or attempting to be clean from the damaging effects of addiction. It is for these reasons that seeking to legalize heroin and cocaine in society is a ludicrous action, because doing so suggests to the children of today that substance abuse is an acceptable inclusion in life and that self-destructive behavior is not a concern within the social order.

From the Paper
Legalizing Cocaine and Heroin Addiction to substance is characterized by a "dependence" on "mood altering" drugs ("Addiction", 2008). Those that are addicted to substances, such as heroin and/or cocaine, find that they have a constant need for the drug and that it becomes the central focus of their lives. As the addiction progresses the individual often begins to develop illnesses or diseases that are associated with the drug use, sometimes causing fatal outcomes. Because these substances are "mood altering" they also have a tendency to change the person's personality, interaction with others and complete lifestyle. Consequently, their relationships with family and

Tags:cocaine, heroin, legal

Abstract
This paper discusses heroin, a powerful, highly addictive drug that is derived from opium, which was first synthesized from morphine in the 1890s and was initially considered to be an effective pain killer and cough suppressant. It looks at how its manufacture and sale is now illegal in most countries because of its widespread abuse and habit-forming qualities and focuses on the long-term and short-term, harmful effects on the human body.

Outline
Physical Effects
Psychological Effects
Sociological Effects
Symptoms of Acute Intoxication
Addiction

From the Paper
"In the longer term, the heroin user becomes totally dependent on the drug until his whole life revolves around the effort to get the next "fix." Other long term psychological effects of heroin include loss of enthusiasm and involvement in everyday affairs, withdrawal from hobbies and sports, reluctance to make new friends, irritability and overreaction to criticism, sudden changes in mood and compulsive lying. A heroin user goes to great lengths to deny that he is a drug abuser. Devious and manipulative behavior aimed at getting money for supporting the drug is also a typical long term effect of heroin. Distorted perception, hallucinations, and paranoia are the other long-term psychological effects of heroin."

Tags:opium, fix, addiction, acute, intoxication

Abstract
This paper researches the use of heroin. It reports that this highly addictive and often fatal drug was first developed in the 19th century from morphine and its abuse has become prevalent in North American society. It explains the effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and a feeling euphoria and reports that tolerance can develop to the drug, and if not treated an individual can die or go into a coma.

From the Paper
"Heroin, also known by street names such as "ferry dust", "smack", "brown sugar" and "junk," is the most abused and rapidly acting of the opiates. In its purest form, heroin is a white, fluffy powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroin ranges in color from white to dark brown due to the impurities from the manufacturing process as well as additives. Heroin also comes in a dark sticky substance commonly known as "black tar heroin." While injection remains the predominant method of use for addicted users, sniffing and smoking heroin, especially among younger users, is rapidly on the rise."

Tags:abuse, addiction, drug, drugs, heroin, history, psychology

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at heroin. According to the paper, heroin, like all drugs, knows no social, ethnic or economic barriers. The paper goes on to discuss the history of the drug, as well as the abuse of the drug.

From the Paper
"In the November 1998 issue of The Journal of Psychology, Frank Patalano reported the results of a study conducted to study cross-cultural similarities in the personalities of heroin users in the United States and India. Findings indicated that Indian heroin users were more neurotic, impulsive, sociable and extraverted than their American counterparts, and that both male and female heroin users readily admitted personal difficulties (Patalano). Moreover, there were differences regarding the level of emotional distress, depression, and sensitivity (Patalano). According to the study, users showed less emotional stability and were more easily upset. They also had less ego strength, were more insecure, more frustrated, and had weakened superego strength (Patalano). These findings were similar to the results of earlier studies of hard core heroin addicts in the United States and later studies of male and female multiple-substance abusers, who used heroin as well as other illicit drugs (Patalano)."

Tags:snorting, powder, Methadone, addictive, addiction, muscle, bone, pain, insomnia, cold, flashes, goose, bumps, diarrhea, vomiting

Abstract
The paper discusses the mechanisms whereby people become addicted to drugs, citing numerous studies. The paper reviews different classes of drugs to which people become addicted - alcohol, opiates, stimulants - and compares the effects. The paper also reviews sociological factors contributing to drug addiction. In conclusion, the writer states that through research, the mechanisms for how people can become addicted has been learned, but why people become addicted is something which scientific research has still been unable to answer. The writer states that the choice is individual and expresses the hope that people will choose wisely to avoid the destructive path of addiction.

From the Paper
"Nicotine works by stimulating acetylcholine receptors and also increases the activity of dopaminergic neurons. Animals in laboratory tests would self-administer nicotine. Because nicotine stimulates the dopaminergic system, smoking can make it more difficult for cocaine or heroin addicts to quit the drug. The stimulant drug, nicotine, even though it may seem "tame" after discussing the hard-core drugs, has the potential to become highly addictive. The combination of nicotine and other carcinogens in cigarettes can lead to cancer of parts of the body which are exposed to smoke. An example of the dangers and addictive nature of smoking can be seen in Sigmund Freud. His theories of psychoanalysis stressed the importance of insight in changing one's behavior. It is ironic that even after most of his jaw was removed due to cancer from smoking, he was still unable to quit. Ultimately, his cancer killed him (Carlson, 586). Even though in the short term smoking may produce less serious affects than other hard core drugs, smoking related deaths remains as one of the top killers of Americans. The psychological dependency of smoking coupled with the physiologic dependence makes it one of the most addictive and possibly dangerous addictions in terms of its long-term consequences. "Approximately 20 million Americans have used marijuana (labeled the "assassin of youth") at least once in a year placing themselves at risk for developing drug dependence and other problems (Zimbardo 129). The active ingredient in marijuana is THC. Psychological effects of marijuana include mild highs in small doses, and long hallucinogenic reactions in high doses. It also produces euphoria, distortions and occasional out of body experiences. However, marijuana can produce fear, anxiety, and confusion as well as impair motor function. The physiological effects of THC remain a mystery. There are THC receptors in the brain, but the chemical produced by the body for this receptor is still unknown. What is known about THC is that is has an effect on dopaminergic neurons. (Zimbardo, 129). Marijuana also affects short term memory and a person's ability to keep track of a topic in conversation (Carlson, 588)."

Tags:narcotics, opiates, heroin, stimulants, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana

Abstract
This paper takes a look at addiction to prescription drugs. According to the paper, many people are addicted to pain relieving drugs such as OxyContin. The paper reports that according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly one-quarter of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 take painkillers for recreational purposes.

Outline:
A Brief History of Substance Abuse
What is Addiction?
Drugs with Addictive Potential
Prescription Drug Abuse by Adolescents, Women, and the Elderly
Drug Seekers
Pharmaceutical Involvement
Society's Role: A Pill for Every Ill

From the Paper
"Generally, addicts prefer drugs that have "a rapid onset of action, high potency, brief duration of action, high purity, water solubility (for intravenous use) or high volatility (ability to vaporize if smoked)" (Longo et al, 2000, p. 2402). Among benzodiazepines, Valium, Ativan and Xanax cross the blood-brain barrier more rapidly and have a high potential for abuse. Longo argues that a significant number of addicts started out using street drugs and progressed to prescription drugs as they became chronically ill. Sometimes, prescription drugs are used in conjunction with street drugs to heighten euphoric effects, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, augment alcohol effects synergistically, or temper cocaine highs."

Tags:drug, dependence, heroin, physician, chronic, pain, neglect, maltreatment, pharmaceutical, pills, tablets, medication

Abstract
This paper explores why heroin overdoses kill people. In particular, the paper looks at how heroin harms the body and the mind. As well, the paper explores the pros and cons of heroin use and discusses the process by which heroin takes a life. Finally, the paper looks at how people get addicted to heroin. In the end, the drug has little upside but plenty of downside.

From the Paper
Why does a heroin overdose kill people? This paper explores why heroin overdoses kill people. In particular, the paper looks at how heroin harms the body and the mind. As well, the paper explores the pros and cons of heroin use and discusses the process by which heroin takes a life. Finally, the paper looks at how people get addicted to heroin. In the end, the drug has little upside but plenty of downside. To start with, the reason why heroin overdoses kill people is because heroin depresses the part of the brain that controls breathing; breathing therefore slows down and the person may end up not breathing at all.

Tags:heroin, overdose, people