💉 Heroin
Source: Harm Reduction Victoria · DanceWize Victoria SSB
Overview
Heroin is an analgesic opioid depressant derived from morphine that rapidly slows breathing and heart rate, carrying a high risk of fatal overdose.
Heroin is an analgesic (pain-relieving) depressant that acts on the central nervous system (CNS), slowing down breathing and heart rate. It is an opiate made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from opium poppy plants. In Australia heroin is most commonly a light beige powder.
When taken, heroin enters the brain rapidly, binding to opioid receptors and producing intense euphoria and analgesia. In recent years, heroin worldwide has increasingly been adulterated with extremely potent fentanyl, carfentanyl and xylazine, causing a global overdose epidemic. Naloxone (Narcan) is a safe, freely available medication that can completely reverse a heroin overdose — carry it if you or anyone around you uses opioids.
Safer Using
Naloxone is free and completely reverses a heroin overdose — always carry it and tell those around you where it is Use around people you trust; if you must use alone, ask a friend to check in on you Tolerance drops rapidly after any break in use — use far less than your previous dose Heroin strength varies batch to batch — test a small amount first Use your own sterile injecting equipment; never share needles, water, filters or spoons Wash hands and the injecting site with soap and water before and after Rotate injection sites to protect veins; be patient Dispose of syringes responsibly at a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) When smoking: avoid sharing pipes; keep lips moisturised to avoid cracking and bleeding
⚠ Avoid Combining With
DANGEROUS: Alcohol, ketamine, GHB/GBL/1,4-B, benzodiazepines and other depressants (increased sedation, unconsciousness, hypoxia and fatal overdose); MXE (increases heroin effects); DXM (CNS depression, breathing difficulty, possible reduction in opioid tolerance leading to overdose); Cocaine (reduces perceived effects — risk of overdose when cocaine wears off); Tramadol (increases seizure risk); Lyrica and other anticonvulsants; some antihistamines. CAUTIOUS: PCP (reduces opioid tolerance); N2O (higher risk of unconsciousness and blackouts); Meth and other stimulants (masks effects — overdose risk when stimulant wears off); MAOIs. Particularly dangerous with: asthma, COPD, breathing issues, heart or circulatory issues, major depression or anxiety.
🚨 If Things Go Wrong
If someone overdoses: call 000, administer naloxone, place in recovery position. Naloxone is available free from many pharmacies and NSPs — carry it. Withdrawal begins within hours and includes severe muscle and bone pain, sweating, vomiting, insomnia — seek medical help for management.
Roadside saliva tests do not detect heroin but may detect other substances it was cut with.
Effects
Intense euphoria followed by warm relaxation and sedation Itchiness, drowsiness and lethargy Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and constipation Slowed breathing and decreased heart rate Analgesia (numbness) and pupil constriction Decreased appetite, increased sweating At high doses: hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), seizure Long-term: collapsed veins, abscesses, infected heart valves, HIV/Hep B&C risk Dependence — both physical and psychological
Dose & Duration
Injected (IV) or smoked. For IV injection: Total Duration 4–5 hours; Onset 15 seconds; Peak 30 min–2 hours; Coming Down 6–12 hours; After Effects 3–5 days. The half-life of heroin is 2–3 minutes (immediately converted to morphine, half-life approximately 6 hours).
Drug testing: Urine up to 3 days; Hair up to 90 days; Blood up to 2 days. Fentanyl test strips are available in Australia.