Heroin is one of the most potent opioids. It works rapidly when taken, and it has a high risk of causing addiction. As a Schedule I drug, heroin is illegal within the United States and is not recognized for having any medical purpose. Often, individuals turn to heroin when they develop an opioid use disorder from prescription painkillers. Like any addiction, heroin addiction is a serious disease. It is highly unlikely that someone can overcome and recover from heroin addiction on their own. Without professional help, many people who develop a substance use disorder with heroin end up repeatedly relapsing. Overdose and death are constant dangers. Thus, finding support through a substance abuse treatment program like Pines Recovery Life Detox is key to healing.
How Long Does Heroin Stay In Your System?
Heroin may stay in a person’s system longer or for less time, depending on their metabolism. However, some average times are generally used for patients.
Expect these drugs in your system for:
- Up to 24 hours in saliva
- Up to six hours in blood
- Up to 90 days in hair
- Up to three days in urine
Despite the length of time that heroin stays in the body, the effects of heroin usually last for 30 minutes or less. This is because heroin is so fast-acting and has a short half-life.
The Effects of Heroin and Your Body
The effects of heroin, as stated above, usually last for around 30 minutes in the body. The length of time it stays active may depend on which drugs or substances it’s mixed with if any. Some other factors that impact how long the effects last include the dosage and how the heroin is taken (by injection, smoked, or snorted).
Most people feel the impact of heroin within just a few minutes. The euphoric effects of heroin normally last up to a few minutes, but they fall off and allow for other effects to take precedent. Most effects of the drug wear off by the time five hours have passed, but some people remain sedated from the drug for much longer.
Some common physical effects of heroin on the body include:
- Euphoria
- Dry mouth
- Flushed skin
- Constricted pupils
- Nausea
- Heavy limbs
Heroin usually passes out of the body within three days, other than remnants that stay in the hair for up to three months. There are different types of heroin cut with various drugs, like fentanyl or cocaine, that may influence how long the effects last or how significant the “high” is.
Heroin’s half-life is two to six minutes long, and it is broken down into morphine in the body.
What Are Some Risks of Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction is risky for a few reasons. The first is that heroin is not a legal substance in the United States, so it can only be purchased on the street. There is no way to guarantee its safety or efficacy. There is no way to know if it is pure or if the dosage is as the seller suggests.
Another risk is that heroin acts on the brain and nervous system. It impacts the way people feel pain, joy, and euphoria and may calm them. It also has the potential to depress their breathing, cause drowsiness, and lead to dysphoria. In some cases, patients develop hallucinations and delusions, making them act unusually and become aggressive or anxious.
Contact Pines Recovery Life Detox for Help with Addiction Recovery
Heroin and your body don’t belong together. Heroin addiction has the potential to lead to fatal overdoses as well as legal issues for anyone caught with it. Heroin recovery is possible, and it is something to look into if you or a loved one feel that you cannot stop taking the drugs in your system. Call us today at Pines Recovery Life Detox at 800.263.3869, or contact us online to learn more about removing heroin from your body and getting back on track to a healthier, sober life.
