Heroin
Last published: November 22, 2023
What is heroin?
Heroin is part of a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and elicit a range of responses within the body; from feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment.1
Heroin comes in different forms, including:
- fine white powder
- coarse off-white granules
- tiny pieces of light brown ‘rock’.1
It is normally sold in ‘caps’ (a small amount, usually enough for one injection) or grams. It is usually packaged in ‘foils’ (aluminium foil packaging) or small, coloured balloons.
Other names
Smack, gear, hammer, the dragon, H, dope, junk, harry, horse, black tar, white dynamite, homebake, china white, Chinese H, poison, Dr Harry.1
Other types of opioids
How is it used?
Heroin is usually injected into a vein, but it’s also smoked (‘chasing the dragon’), and added to cigarettes and cannabis. The effects are usually felt within seconds of injecting or smoking it, but will take around 10 to 15 minutes if snorted.2
Effects of heroin
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Heroin affects everyone differently, based on:
- the person’s size, weight and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken
- the strength of the drug (it varies from batch to batch).
The main effects of heroin, which usually last for three to five hours, include:
- intense pleasure and pain relief
- relaxation, drowsiness and clumsiness
- confusion
- feelings of detachment
- slurred and slow speech
- slow breathing and heartbeat
- dry mouth
- tiny pupils
- reduced appetite and vomiting
- decreased sex drive.1-3
When injecting drugs, there is an increased risk of:
- tetanus
- infection
- vein damage.
If sharing needles, there is an increased risk of:
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- HIV and AIDS.
Overdose
If you take a large amount or have a strong batch of heroin, you could overdose.
Call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero (000) if you or someone else has any of the symptoms listed below (ambulance officers don’t need to involve the police):
- trouble concentrating
- extreme drowsiness or falling asleep (‘going on the nod’)
- small (‘pinned’) pupils
- wanting to urinate but finding it hard to
- itchiness
- low blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat
- cold, clammy skin
- slow breathing, blue lips and fingertips
- hypothermia
- passing out
- death.1-3
Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) reverses the effects of heroin and other opioids, particularly in the case of an overdose. Naloxone can be injected intramuscularly (into a muscle) or delivered by intranasal spray.
Coming down
In the days after heroin use, the following may be experienced:
- irritability
- depression.1, 2
Long-term effects
Regular use of heroin may eventually cause:
- intense sadness
- irregular periods and difficulty having children
- no sex drive, erectile dysfunction and infertility in men
- constipation
- dental issues
- damaged heart, lungs, liver and brain
- vein damage and skin, heart and lung infections from injecting
- needing to use more to get the same effect
- dependence on heroin
- financial, work or social problems.1-3
Using heroin with other drugs
The effects of taking heroin with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications – can be unpredictable and dangerous, and could cause:
Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another.[6] Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.
Withdrawal
Giving up heroin after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms usually start within 6 to 24 hours after the last dose and usually last for about a week - but can sometimes last up to ten days. Days 1 to 3 will be the worst. These symptoms usually include:
- cravings for heroin
- restlessness and irritability
- anxiety
- depression and crying
- diarrhoea
- restless sleep and yawning
- stomach and leg cramps
- muscle spasms
- vomiting and no appetite
- goosebumps
- hot and cold flushes
- sweating
- runny nose and watery eyes
- insomnia, disturbed sleep
- fast heartbeat.1-3
Getting help
If your use of heroin is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.
Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs
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If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au
There are many avenues for treatment of heroin dependence, including methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine.
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Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling heroin, or driving under the influence.
See also, drugs and the law.
National
- 1.2% of Australians aged 14 years and older have used heroin one or more times in their life.6
- Less than 0.1 % of Australians aged 14 years and older have used heroin in the previous 12 months.6
Young people
- Young Australians (aged 14–29) first try heroin at 18.5 years on average.6
- 1% of 12-17 year olds in Australia have ever used heroin.7
- Campbell A. The Australian Illicit Drug Guide: Every Person's Guide to Illicit Drugs--Their Use, Effects and History, Treatment Options and Legal Penalties: Black Inc; 2001.
- Brands B, Sproule, B & Marshman, J, editor. Drugs & drug abuse. 3rd ed. Ontario: Addiction Research Foundation; 1998.
- Black E, Shakeshaft A, Newton N, Teesson M, Farrell M, Rodriguez D. Heroin - What you need to know. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre: UNSW Sydney; 2014.
- Goldsmith R, Weisz, M & Shapiro, H. The Essential Guide to Drugs and Alcohol. 14th ed. London: DrugScope; 2010.
- Harm Reduction Victoria. Heroin (fact sheet). Harm Reduction Victoria; 2016.
- World Health Organisation. Lexicon of Alcohol and Drug Terms. World Health Organisation; 1994.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019. Canberra: AIHW; 2020.
- Guerin N, White V. ASSAD 2017 Statistics & Trends: Australian Secondary Students’ Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, Over-the-counter Drugs, and Illicit Substances. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer: Cancer Council Victoria; 2018.
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