Different Kinds of Heroin

Opioid drugs have been around since the beginning of civilization, and there is proof that the drugs were used as pain relievers as early as 3400 B.C. in Mesopotamia. The Sumerians often nicknamed the opium poppy the “Hul Gil,” which translates to the joy plant.

Around 460 to 357 B.C., Hippocrates, the father of medicine, began to recognize the medical value that opium provided as a narcotic. He would prescribe drinking the juice of the white poppy mixed with the seed of nettle.

Opium derivatives, including morphine, eventually grew to be widely used pain relievers. When heroin was first synthesized, it was also used for medical use until physicians deemed the drug too addictive.

During these ancient times, opium was used to induce sleep, relieve pain, and to calm children. That may sound extreme knowing what we now know about the drug, but these were times when not much was known about the drug except its therapeutic benefits.

If you fast forward hundreds of years, the popular drug known as heroin was discovered, and the development of heroin abuse was introduced. Heroin, in pharmacological studies, is proven to be more effective than morphine or codeine. The Bayer company started the production of heroin in 1891 on a commercial scale, and the first clinical results were so promising that heroin was deemed a wonder drug at the time.

Forms of Heroin

Heroin is an illicit opioid that comes in several different forms, each with distinct appearances, levels of purity, and methods of use. These variations can influence not only how the drug is consumed but also the risks it poses to users. While heroin in any form is highly addictive and dangerous, understanding the differences can shed light on why some forms may seem more accessible, potent, or harmful than others.

White Heroin

White heroin is the purest form of the drug and can be sometimes found on the illicit market in a white powder that typically has a high level of acidity. Contrary to popular belief, white heroin doesn’t have the highest purity level, and it is not uncommon for heroin to be cut with an addictive substance that changes the color. The drug is often referred to as “China White.”

Brown Heroin

Brown heroin, one of the three forms of heroin found in the United States, is often smoked but it can also be injected. It is a granular, powdered form of heroin with poor water solubility. It is commonly brought into the U.S. from Mexico and found in markets west of the Mississippi River. Brown heroin is known as a base, which means it can be smoked, but it has to be mixed with an acid, heated, and dissolved in water before one can inject it.

Black Tar Heroin

Common in California and regions near the Mexican border, black tar heroin is a sticky substance like roofing tar or coal. The color is a result of the manufacturing process that leaves impurities in the final product. The purity levels seldom top 25 to 30 percent, so it is known as a less pure version than other types of heroin. Black tar users typically inject the substance, but use of this substance can cause adverse side effects that can end in overdose or death.

Injecting black tar heroin can cause vein collapse and gangrene among other problems. Gangrene is when the area of injection dies and causes the area to be amputated. Those who do not seek immediate medical attention can die from the bacterial disease if they do not have the limb removed.

Get Help For Heroin Addiction Today

If you or someone you know is using heroin, it is imperative that they seek out help immediately. Heroin use is dangerous on its own, but the increase in fentanyl cases has made the drug even more dangerous. The only way to ensure your safety is to stop using heroin.

If you are struggling with heroin addiction to heroin, call the treatment specialists at Serenity at Summit 855-956-4940 or contact us online to learn more about your addiction treatment options. Our fully licensed staff puts our clients first to ensure a positive outlook and that they receive the treatment they need. Heroin addiction may be a complex disease, but it’s one that’s treatable with help. We can provide you with that help. Reach out to us today.