PSYCH 630 January, 2015 Effects of drugs Team B week 6 presentation 1 Identifying drug and its primary use Rate of use and populations affected Region of brain affected and altered brain chemistry High versus low doses on behavior, mood, and cognition Implications on physiology of brain, behavior, mood, and cognition Therapeutic interventions to treat addiction introduction In this presentation Team B will discuss a common street drug that is also a brain altering drug. We will begin by identifying the drug and list it’s primary use. The rate of use and the particular populations affected will be reviewed. Because the drug we will identify is also a brain altering drug we will discuss the regions of the brain the drug affects and how this drug alters brain chemistry. The relevance of high and low doses of the drug will be compared in reference to behavior, mood, and cognition. The team will discuss the implications of one-time, casual, or long-term use on the brain, behavior, mood, and cognition. Finally the team will discuss therapeutic interventions that may be utilized for those that become addicted to the identified drug. 2 Heroin Identify drug Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal drug (Drugfreeworld.org, 2014). Heroin is made from the resin of poppy plants. The milky, sap-like opium is first removed from the pod of the poppy flower. This opium is refined to make morphine and then further refined into different forms of heroin. Heroin was first manufactured in 1898 by the Bayer pharmaceutical company of Germany and marketed as a treatment for tuberculosis as well as a remedy for morphine addiction (Drugfreeworld.org, 2014). Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and as such has no acceptable medical use in the United States (Drugs.com, 2014). Clip Art Bing 3 Recreational Use Medical Use Primary use Heroin is a Drug that is well known in the United States, there are many different street name for this drug and is one of the most high addicting drugs in the united states. This drug is used by many Americans from all ages and ways of life. Heroin has many medical uses also and due to this reason many countries such as UK; heroin is available as controlled prescription drug. Heroin is used medical practice, where help for addiction to heroin is easily available. Heroin or diacetylmorphine is a strong analgesic (commonly known as pain killer medicine, as they are used in treatment of pain) medication (Healthyone.org, 2011). In some countries such as the United Kingdom it is a strong analgesic and available strictly as a controlled prescription medication and is commonly used for palliative care pain management. It is also used in the UK as maintenance drug for long-term heroin addicts when all treatment modalities for de-addiction fail, as a last resort (Healthyone.org, 2011). Recreational use is the most prevalent form of use for those using heroin. Initially used as a ...

1. PSYCH 630
January, 2015
Effects of drugs
Team B week 6 presentation
1
Identifying drug and its primary use
Rate of use and populations affected
Region of brain affected and altered brain chemistry
High versus low doses on behavior, mood, and cognition
Implications on physiology of brain, behavior, mood, and
cognition
Therapeutic interventions to treat addiction
introduction
In this presentation Team B will discuss a common street drug
that is also a brain altering drug. We will begin by identifying
the drug and list it’s primary use. The rate of use and the
particular populations affected will be reviewed. Because the
drug we will identify is also a brain altering drug we will
discuss the regions of the brain the drug affects and how this

2. drug alters brain chemistry. The relevance of high and low
doses of the drug will be compared in reference to behavior,
mood, and cognition. The team will discuss the implications of
one-time, casual, or long-term use on the brain, behavior, mood,
and cognition. Finally the team will discuss therapeutic
interventions that may be utilized for those that become
addicted to the identified drug.
2
Heroin
Identify drug
Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal drug (Drugfreeworld.org,
2014). Heroin is made from the resin of poppy plants. The
milky, sap-like opium is first removed from the pod of the
poppy flower. This opium is refined to make morphine and then
further refined into different forms of heroin. Heroin was first
manufactured in 1898 by the Bayer pharmaceutical company of
Germany and marketed as a treatment for tuberculosis as well as
a remedy for morphine addiction (Drugfreeworld.org, 2014).
Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled
Substances Act of 1970 and as such has no acceptable medical
use in the United States (Drugs.com, 2014).
Clip Art Bing
3
Recreational Use
Medical Use
Primary use

3. Heroin is a Drug that is well known in the United States, there
are many different street name for this drug and is one of the
most high addicting drugs in the united states. This drug is used
by many Americans from all ages and ways of life. Heroin has
many medical uses also and due to this reason many countries
such as UK; heroin is available as controlled prescription drug.
Heroin is used medical practice, where help for addiction to
heroin is easily available. Heroin or diacetylmorphine is a
strong analgesic (commonly known as pain killer medicine, as
they are used in treatment of pain) medication (Healthyone.org,
2011). In some countries such as the United Kingdom it is a
strong analgesic and available strictly as a controlled
prescription medication and is commonly used for palliative
care pain management. It is also used in the UK as maintenance
drug for long-term heroin addicts when all treatment modalities
for de-addiction fail, as a last resort (Healthyone.org, 2011).
Recreational use is the most prevalent form of use for those
using heroin. Initially used as a pain killer in the 1800s it
quickly took on another highly addictive use, as it users found it
readily available and affordable. It is an extremely powerful
painkiller and users experience exhilaration, euphoria and a
sense of well being. The individual use heroin with the intention
to alter the state of consciousness (through disruption of the
CNS) in order to recreate positive emotions and feelings.
Recreational use of heroin has been associated with such things
as curiosity, boredom, low self-esteem, desire for risk, for
meditation, desire to escape from or cope with difficulties, to
relax, to increase energy, and to improve focus or
concentration.
4
Single Use

4. Daily
Full Blown Addiction
Percentage of Use
Rate of use
The DEA states that 1.2 % of our population has reported using
heroin or tried heroin at least once in their life time. In 2011,
4.2 Million Americans ranging from the age of 12 and older
have used heroin. There is a 23 percent rate of individuals who
become dependent of this drug (NIH,2024). An estimated 13.5
Million people in the world take opioids (opium-like
substances), including 9.2 million who use heroin
(Drugfreeworld.org, 2014). In 2007, 93% of the world’s opium
supply came from Afghanistan. Opiates, mainly heroin, were
involved in four of every five drug-related deaths in Europe,
and it accounts for 18% of the admissions for drug and alcohol
treatment in the United States (Drugfreeworld.org, 2014).
5
All lifestyles
All ages
All cultures
Populations affected
There is no “cookie-cutter” heroin user (Alcoholism.about.com,
2014). Individuals of all ages, cultures and lifestyles have and
can use heroin. Addiction has been described as an ‘equal
opportunity’ disease, affecting individual across racial, ethic,
geographic and class lines (Bernstein et al., 2005). There has
been an increase in initiation among young adults ages 18 to 25
and adults 26 and older using heroin (Drugs.com, 2014). “The

5. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that teenagers
reporting heroin use in their lifetime is declining. Amongst 12th
graders, the number has come down from 3.0 percent in 2001 to
2.0 percent. The total number of teenagers that report using
heroin in their lifetimes has dropped from 3.1 percent to 2.4
percent since 2001” (Bernstein et al., 2005). Amongst young
adults and college students, heroin use is not seeing the decline
it has in teenagers. Among the users a high percent were
African American (82%), Hispanic (54%), and White (57%)
(Bernstein et al., 2005).
6
The
Limbic System is affected by
Heroin
(Bing, 2015)
Region affected
The region of the brain affected by Heroin is the limbic system
(NIH, 2014). The limbic system controls a person’s emotions,
eating, socializing, mood, feeling of pleasure, and repeated
behaviors (NIH, 2014). The limbic system is located in the
center of the brain, this area controls many functions for the

6. person. Heroin affects the limbic system by giving the brain a
different type of pleasure, emotions, behaviors, and moods
(NIH, 2014). Heroin affects the memory, motivation, and other
functions of a person. Many areas of the brain are affected by
Heroin.
7
Heroin affects the neurons in the brain.
This disrupts the normal brain chemistry.
(Bing, 2015)
Alter brain chemistry
Heroin alters brain chemistry by triggering “the release of
dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), as measured by
microdialysis (Di Chiara, 1995)” (Carlson, 2013, p. 617).
Heroin affects the brain by activating the neurons (NIH, 2014).
Heroin acts like natural neurotransmitter (NIH, 2014).
According to NIH (2014) “Although these drugs mimic the
brains own chemicals, they don’t activate neurons in the same
way as a natural neurotransmitter, and they had through the
network” (p. 1). Heroin tricks the neurons, this allows the drug
to enter into the brain but does not do the same function as the
brains own chemicals. “A person taking an addictive drug seeks
a sudden “rush "produced by a fast-acting drug” (Carlson, 2013,
p. 617). Heroin produces a fast-acting rush because it is used

7. many times as a liquid injected into the blood stream. This
gives the drug an easier access to the blood stream and brain.
8
Effects of Heroin use is different for each person.
(Bing, 2015)
High versus low doses
[“Not everyone will respond the same way to a given drug dose-
many factors can influence this, including those mentioned
above, as well as age, gender, and the person’s history of using
that drug or other related drugs”] (Kandel, Schwartz, & Jessell,
1991, p. 69-70). The effects of Heroin depends on the person
(Personal Interview, Ed Grey, January 17, 2015). A lower dose
may affect a person the same as a person taking a higher dose,
depending on the person (Personal Interview, Ed Grey, January
17, 2015). The higher the dose of Heroin, the increased chances
for the person to have more behavior, mood swings, and
cognitive behaviors. Ed Grey (Personal Interview, January 17,
2015) states “some people (as myself) experienced blue lips,

8. labored breathing, and incoherence; with an extremely high
dose of Heroin.” A person may become moodier, more agitated,
mild tempered, or more. The high versus low doses depends on
the person and how his or her brain reacts to the drug.
9
http://medicalassistedtreatment.org/95142/
Implications on brain
The majority of people do not realize the powerful effect
addictive drugs have on the brain, the effects of drug use on the
body are more commonly known. When someone uses heroin for
the first time, it begins the roller coaster ride, setting them user
up for years of heroin addiction. The user experiences a rush of
euphoria, which is brought about by the opiates being sent to
the brain. The user then tries to achieve this same feeling over
and over, it is termed “chasing the dragon.” The brain begins to
put demands on the individual to use a greater amount of the
opiates for it to send the message to the body that everything is
alright, making them feel normal. If the brain does not receive
the extra amount of opiates, it goes into panic mode, the brain
signals the body that it needs more opiates to achieve the
feeling of normalcy. The addiction begins to grow and to
spread, and begins to starve the brain’s opiate receptors.

9. Long-term abuse and use of heroin actually changes the brain
chemistry over time. If the drug is used for many years, the
change is permanent (Effects of heroin on the brain, 2014).
There is a certain amount of dopamine in a normal human brain
produces regularly. The dopamine is then distributed out to the
brain so the user can attempt to feel normal. An example of this
is during and after exercise that is strenuous, the body begins to
slowly releasing small amounts dopamine that is produced
naturally, to the brain, so that the person feels a better despite
working hard. This biological process is a mechanism that is
used for survival (Effects of heroin on the brain, 2014).
When the addict begins using heroin daily, their brain is saying
“Hey wait a minute here. My body is being constantly flooded
with extra opiates and dopamine, so there is no need to produce
any myself naturally (Effects of heroin on the brain, 2014). I am
getting all that I need and more.” If an individual keeps using
heroin for an extended period of time, the body is slowly being
trained to stop the production of dopamine naturally. It is very
dangerous to be addicted to heroin. Long term use involves
many risks, overdose is common (Effects of heroin on the brain,
2014). When the user tries to get clean, and does not use for a
period of time, they lose their tolerance for the drug. The
intense cravings for the drug lead them to relapse. The addict
uses again, the same about being used before they stopped, and
overdose, because they no longer have the tolerance built up to
use that amount. Most heroin addicts do not live to reach the
end stage, where their body stops producing dopamine naturally.
“Addicts who do, are stuck in a stage where their body is in a
constant state of being starved for opiates so they can feel
normal. In these cases, drug maintenance therapy with a
synthetic opiate, such as Suboxone is recommended (Effects of
heroin on the brain, 2014).”
This phenomenon demonstrates the power the use of heroin use
has. Other effects, such as the phenomenon of cravings that can

10. be so powerful that they are stronger than wanting to eat when
one is starving. This powerful opioid literally changes the brain
chemistry over time, which puts a grip on the addict, putting
them even deeper into opioid addiction (Effects of heroin on the
brain, 2014).
10
Implications on brain
Stop Heroin. http://www.stopheroin.net/heroinfacts.htm
“The circuit in the brain that is thought to be most important to
the reinforcement system that is neurological is the limbic
reward system, which is known also as the brain reward system,
or the dopamine reward system. This brain circuit runs the span
of the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area (VTA)
(Bromberg-Martin, Matsumoto, & Hikosaka, 2011).” All
substance that are abused, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, MA,
nicotine, marijuana, other illicit drugs, and synthetic substances
have an effect on the limbic reward system. The nucleus
accumbens are also affected, and the release of dopamine is
increased, which is the neurotransmitter that helps regulate the
feelings of satisfaction, euphoria and pleasure. Dopamine also
plays a major role in controlling motivation, cognition,
movement, and reward (Bromberg-Martin, Matsumoto, &
Hikosaka, 2011). Dopamine levels that are high in the brain
causes enhancement to the mood and increases body movement,
such as motor activities. Levels of dopamine that are too high
can produce irritability, nervousness, paranoia, and
aggressiveness that are characteristics of schizophrenia
(Bromberg-Martin, Matsumoto, & Hikosaka, 2011). This
increase of dopamine may also cause bizarre thoughts and
hallucinations that are symptoms of schizophrenia. “Dopamine

11. levels that are too low in certain areas of the brain can result in
tremors and paralysis that are symptoms of Parkinson's disease
(Bromberg-Martin, Matsumoto, & Hikosaka, 2011).”
11
Suboxone
Scheduled III drug
buprenorphine + naloxone
Therapeutic interventions
Control your Suboxone (2013)
http://www.rxfilmcuttingguide.com/
The Controlled Substance Act (CSA) has five schedules that are
used to classify drugs. “Schedule I drugs have a high potential
for abuse, they have no medical use. Schedule II drugs also
have a high potential for abuse, but currently have a use in
medical treatments, and have a risk of severe physiological
dependence. Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for
abuse, and are currently used for medical treatment, these drugs
may have moderate or low physical dependence, or high
physiological dependence (CSA Schedules, 2000).” Scheduled
III, IV, and V medications that are narcotic were approved for
treatment via the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA
2000) (Varela, 2010). This act allows physicians who are
qualified, to prescribe prescription drugs that are “specifically
approved Schedule III, IV, and V narcotic medications for
treating addiction to opioids in settings that are not in
methadone treatment centers (Varela, 2010).” DATA 2000
reduced the burden placed on physicians by regulations, by
allowing physicians who are qualified to apply for waivers
regarding the special requirements for registration as stated in

12. the Controlled Substance Act (Varela, 2010).
"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Suboxone,
a buprenorphine and naloxone combination for the treatment of
addiction to opioids (Varela, 2010). Suboxone is currently the
only Schedule III, IV, or V medication to have been approved
by the FDA. Suboxone has many advantages over methadone.
Suboxone can be prescribed for the addict to take home, just as
they would any other medication (Varela, 2010).” “The main
ingredient in Suboxone is buprenorphine, it is a partial opioid
agonist, which can both block and activate opioid receptors, the
opioid effects of Suboxone are limited in comparison to drugs
that produce a full opioid agonist, such as heroin and
oxycodone. Suboxone also contains naloxone, which is n opioid
antagonist, it prevents the drug from binding to opioid receptors
(Varela, 2010).” It is there to discourage individuals from
injecting or snorting it. Suboxone comes in pill or film form,
which is placed under the tongue to dissolve (Varela, 2010).
When Suboxone is used correctly only a very small amount of
naloxone goes into the bloodstream, and the patient feels only
the effects of the buprenorphine. “If Suboxone tablet is ground
up, injected, smoked, or snorted, the individual who is
dependent on a full opioid agonist can quickly go into
withdrawal (Varela, 2010).” Being able to get Suboxone from a
doctor, without going into a methadone treatment center, and it
may being people into treatment who would not have come, due
to the social stigma associated with addiction. Suboxone aids
people into staying in treatment, decreases cravings, suppresses
opioid withdrawal, and has a ceiling effect, so the patient has
limited euphoria (Varela, 2010).
“If a Suboxone tablet is crushed and naloxone is injected,
snorted or smoked, a person dependent on a full opioid agonist
can be caused to quickly go into withdrawal (Varela, 2010).”
Suboxone is safer because it offers less reason to abuse it.
Suboxone is a useful tool for relapse prevention, it helps
remove the strong urges to relapse, and allows the patient to be
alert mentally (Varela, 2010). It is nearly impossible to

13. overdose because it is a partial opioid agonist with a ceiling
effect. Suboxone provides a longer half-life. It takes two days
for the drug to lose half of its pharmacological activity, as
compared to methadone, which takes one day, making it more
useful for the purpose of detoxification. Suboxone can lead to
respiratory suppression that is fatal, but this is rare. There is a
higher risk of this condition if the use of heroin is continued. It
has been found through evidence based treatment studies that
Suboxone can be a positive alternative for individuals who are
opioid addicts in recovery who chronically relapse.
12
Therapeutic Interventions
Methadone
Scheduled II drug
Synthetic narcotic analgesic
http://www.pharmedium.com/compounding/service/61/Methado
ne/
Methadone is a Schedule II medication, only dispensed in
clinics that are federally regulated, in methadone maintenance
programs (Methadone, 2013). These programs are often
unappealing to patients. It is available in oral solution,
injection, and tablet form. The active ingredient in methadone is
always methadone hydrochloride (Methadone, 2013). It is a
synthetic narcotic pain reliever. Methadone is often used in the
treatment of heroin addiction. It is also used as an analgesic to
relieve pain. Methadone shares the same characteristics of
morphine, but when methadone is used there it prevents the
person using it from experiencing the euphoric high
(Methadone, 2013). The dosage is decided by the person’s body

14. weight and their tolerance to heroin. “Methadone users can
develop dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal (Methadone,
2013). When used as prescribed methadone can reduce cravings,
suppresses the withdrawal symptoms, and blocks the feeling of
euphoric high people get from using other opioids, such as
heroin.
13
Heroin
Methods of Use
Effects of drug
Side Effects
Hazards
Treatment Options
conclusion
Heroin is an highly addictive drug that comes from the seedpod
of the opium poppy plant. Heroin in its purest form is usually a
white powder. Less pure forms have varied colors ranging from
white, brown, and black. Heroin can be injected in the user’s
veins, smoked or snorted. Individuals of all ages and lifestyles
have used heroin so there is no one particular set of individuals
that may have experimented with the drug (Drugs.com, 2014).
Users who inject heroin will experience a euphoric surge or
rush as it is known to some. The users mouth may sudden
become dry, they may start to nod in and out, and their legs may
feel heavy(Drugs.com, 2014). Heroin is metabolized to
morphine and other metabolites which bind to opioid receptors
in the brain. Mental functioning becomes clouded due to the
depression of the central nervous system (Drugs.com, 2014).
Other hazards have been reported with regular heroin users. The
user that is physically dependent on the drug and suddenly stop
occasionally can be fetal. Withdrawal symptoms for regular
users consist of restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia,

15. diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps. There
are several medical treatment options that exist for heroin
addiction. These treatment consist of methadone,
buprenorphine, and naltrexone are approved to treat opioid
dependence. These treatment can be effective when combined
with medication compliance programs and behavioral therapy
(Drugs.com, 2014).
14
Alcoholism.About.com (2014). What is heroin? Retrieved from
http://alcoholism.about.com/od/heroin/a/heroin.htm
Bernstein, E., Bernstein, J., Tassiopoulos, K., Valentine, A.,
Heeren, T., Levenson, S., & Hingson, R. (2005). Racial and
ethic diversity among a heroin and cocaine using population:
Treatment system utilization, 24(4): 43-63. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1761118/
Bromberg-Martin, E. S., Matsumoto, M., & Hikosaka, O.
(2011). Dopamine in motivational control: rewarding, aversive,
and alerting. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3032992/
Carlson, N. R., (2013). Physiology of behavior 11th ed. Upper
Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education
CSA (2000). Drugs.com. Retrieved from
http://www.drugs.com/csa-schedule.html
Drugs.com (2014). Heroin. Retrieved from
http://www.drugs.com/illicit/heroin.html
DrugFreeWorld.org (2014). The trust about heroin. Retrieved
from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/heroin/the-truth-
about-drugs.html
Effects of heroin on the brain (2014). Heroin.net. Retrieved
from http://heroin.net/heroin-effects/heroin-effects-sub-page-
1/heroin-effects-on-the-brain/
references

16. Clip Art retrieved from Bing, 2015
15
Healthyone.org. (2011) Medical uses of heroin. Retrieved from
http://healthyone.org/medical-uses-of-heroin
Kandel, E.R., Schwartz, J.H., Jessell, T.M., (1991). Drugs
change the way neurons communicate. Principles of Neural
Science 3rd ed. Retrieved from http://science.education.nih.gov
Methadone (2013). Cesar, Center for Substance Abuse
Research. Retrieved from
http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/methadone.asp
NIH, (2014). Drugs, brains, and behaviors: The science of
Addiction. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov
Varela, M. BA, CDP, CCDC III (2010). Suboxone Treatment.
Managing Patients Taking Suboxone With in a Chemical
Dependency Treatment Program. University of Nevada, Reno.
Retrieved from
http://casat.unr.edu/docs/varela.mark_ya.wa_08.pdf
references
Clip Art retrieved from Bing, 2015
16