Navigation
Season Three Research Files
Episode Three
3:00pm-4:00pm
Withdrawal, which in regular abusers may occur as early as a few hours after the last administration, produces drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, dilated pupils, watery eyes, runny nose, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, loss of appetite, cold flashes with goose bumps, tremors, muscle cramps as well as other symptoms. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week. Sudden withdrawal by heavily dependent users who are in poor health is occasionally fatal, although heroin withdrawal is considered much less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal. As withdrawal progresses, elevations in blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and temperature occur. Symptoms of overdose -- which may result in death -- include shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions and coma.
Heroin can cause feelings of depression, which may last for weeks. Attempts to stop using heroin can fail simply because the withdrawal can be overwhelming, causing the addict to use more heroin in an attempt to overcome these symptoms. This overpowering addiction can cause the addict to do anything to get heroin.
< back