to wonder how good heroin must feel

[complexnumber]

I've tried lots of recreational drugs over the years, but never heroin
But what is it about the 'hit' heroin gives you that makes you want it again... and again...

I know plenty of people here who have tried or will do MDMA, coke, weed, pills, magic mushrooms, but none would consider touching heroine. Where as my friend who lived in the states was horrified when she discovered her boyfriend over there had taken heroine. He seemed to imply that it was just much more of a 'standard' drug among recreational drug takers in the UK where as she described it to him as a 'dirty drug' and couldn't understand him touching it. I've also noticed the same on several TV programmes.

I'd be interested to know of anyone who has more experience of drug culture in the states if this is true. And if so, why they think it is? It's a difference that really intrigues me.

Anyway. I could talk about drug use for hours - I find it absolutely fascinating. The different effect on people, differing responses, why some people love ket but aren't bothered by coke etc How people deal with the after effects, why do they become a problem for some people. Really fascinating intersection between neuroscience, chemistry and psychology.

laza222 I wouldn't say I'm "experienced" but I've known a fair few casual drug users - heroin and crack are considered no-go zones. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground when a very, very good friend's husband told me that he had regularly smoked heroin while living in S. America. I had never actually met anyone before who had tried it (and I'm not really scandalized by drug use as some people on this thread are).

I think Bela is actually Nancy Reagan.

Thinking about it, I am heartened by this thread. If so many dozens of women have wondered about drugs without ever taking any, that means they aren't as tempting as some people worry they might be.

'Legal highs' are among the most dangerous substances around

Very true. And very worrying.

When M-cat became big (plant food, miaw miaw) it was extreme scary seeing non-drug taking acquaintances hoovering that up their noses in huge quantities. Because it was legal and therefore safe in their minds. They had no concept of dosage or being careful, or any coping mechanisms for the come downs. No ability to cut off and deal with the 'more-ish-ness'. it was just like people go out and smash loads of alcohol but with a very strong and unknown compound. Not cool.

The m-cat craze actually made me reconsider my view point on decriminalisation of drugs, because it proved that most of the country can't be trusted around mind-altering substances ( clearly demonstrated by our disgusting bing drinking culture).

There is often a 'hierarchy of drugs' amongst users. Although heroin is rightly regarded as the end stage drug, there is also the perception and image of it as at the top of a hierarchy. Injectors are seen in the same way. Solvents are beyond the pale. Benzo's were seen as drugs for people who didn't have 'the balls' to use 'real drug'. Polydrug users were seen as less reliable. Heroin users tend to congregate because unlike many other drugs, they suffer physically without it and seek comradeship and support through that.

Russell Brand alluded to this once when he described his own smoking of heroin and the subsequent addiction. He stated in an interview "I pause to reflect and regret that I don’t know how to fix, only smoke, feeling inferior even in the manner of my using"

I smoked it once in the 80s My brother did too and went on to be addicted for 7 years.

heartisaapade I will admit to missing that memo ;-)

I have to say that the current trend of snorting ketamine is as much or more of a problem than injecting heroin. In fact if they were injecting it, it would cause far less problems.

If I was going to die, absolutely no chance of living. I would try it.

In fact if they were injecting it, it would cause far less problems

How come? I know there are long term bladder problems associated with ket but what's the difference between harm from injecting and snorting?

It causes less problems when injected because it's not in an un dissolvable form. It also causes ridiculous damage to the nasal cavity because of how hard it is. They basically cook it into a crystal so that it is snortable and then the body has to re-convert it back into something digestible. So weird.

One of my sisters BIL was a severe Herorin addict for many years.
Finally got clean, but sadly developed Cancer in his 40's.

The horrific thing is, they couldn't control his pain at the end, because of his previous drug abuse, so the poor man died in absolute agony.

I was a heroin addict for 3 yrs.

It wasn't much fun and it makes very sick.

The withdrawals, homelessness and becoming a social outcast and nearly dying several times were not outweighed by the rather nice high in the end for me.

HTH.

That's my experience too Crowler. I wonder what has made it more acceptable in the USA than here. Was there a big campaign against it for example. When I started secondary school it was shortly after the death of Leah Betts. We had it drummed into us how awful ecstasy was and as it result, it seemed not many people my age were interested in it. I'm approaching 30 now and I know a few people who have taken it in the last few years but it was always something that people of my age seemed to be quite cautious of until their mid 20s.

Crystal meth seems to be far bigger over in the USA as well. A friend who is gay has said that it is quite big among the gay scene over here, however I've never heard of anyone using it or anyone having come across it otherwise.

Are their drugs in the recreational drug scene in the US that people are as strongly against, as people in UK culture are of heroine I wonder?

Well done to all those on here who have managed to beat their addiction to heroine by the way. Addiction must be an awful thing to over come and I have much respect for those who have managed to battle through.

Leah betts died because of lack of education rather than of an extasy overdose, she literally drowned herself from the inside out.

gossip well done on stopping

In my job I've seen what drug addiction does to people and their friends and family so would never try heroin.

But....I had IV morphine after an accident and it was the most amazing feeling. No pain, nothing mattered, warm, fuzzy and time passed in a blink!

Laza even before Breaking Bad - crystal meth was considered ruinous in the US. It's fantastically addictive.

And, hats off to gossip indeed.

Geckos yes, I'm aware of that but from what I understand, the extreme thirst she felt was due to her taking the drug. Is that right (I could be wrong and imagine it could be a combination of the ecstasy, alcohol, possibly smoking, e.t.c... In any case, the message was hammered home so much to my generation (at least in the area I grew up in) that me and my peers were terrified of it until we were much older and didn't touch it. I was convinced that if I touched it then I would be thirsty, drink lots of water and drown my brain.

The one thing that the drugs education after Leah Betts' death did make me aware of was the importance of knowing the effects of the drug you were taking and how to act if things go wrong, for other people's sake as much as anyone else.

crowler it looks like an awful drug!