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Where can I get further scientific
information about heroin abuse
and addiction?
To learn more about heroin
and other drugs of abuse,
contact the National Clearinghouse
for Alcohol and Drug
Information (NCADI) at
1-800-729-6686. Information
specialists are available to help
you locate information and
resources.
Fact sheets, including
InfoFacts, on the health effects
of heroin, other drugs of abuse,
and other drug abuse topics are
available on the NIDA Web site
(www.drugabuse.gov), and
can be ordered free of charge
in English and Spanish from
NCADI at ncadi.samhsa.gov.
Glossary
Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain.
Agonist: A chemical compound that mimics the
action of a natural neurotransmitter to produce a
biological response.
Analog: A chemical compound that is similar to
another drug in its effects but differs slightly in its
chemical structure.
Antagonist: A drug that counteracts or blocks
the effects of another drug.
Buprenorphine: A mixed opiate agonist/antagonist medication for the treatment of heroin
addiction.
Craving: A powerful, often uncontrollable desire for drugs.
Detoxification: A process of allowing the
body to rid itself of a drug while managing the
symptoms of withdrawal; often the first step in a
drug treatment program.
Fentanyl: A medically useful opioid analog that
is 50 times more potent than heroin.
Meperidine: A medically approved opioid available
under various brand names (e.g., Demerol).
Methadone: A long-acting synthetic medication
shown to be effective in treating heroin addiction.
Physical dependence: An adaptive physiological
state that occurs with regular drug use and results
in a withdrawal syndrome when drug use is
stopped; usually occurs with tolerance.
Rush: A surge of euphoric pleasure that rapidly
follows administration of a drug.
Tolerance: A condition in which higher doses of
a drug are required to produce the same effect
as during initial use; often leads to physical
dependence.
Withdrawal: A variety of symptoms that occur
after use of an addictive drug is reduced or stopped.
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