Heroin


![Long-term effects of intravenous usage, including – and indeed primarily because of – the effects of the contaminants common in illegal heroin and contaminated needles.[14]](/uploads/202412/14/Long-term_effects_of_heroin0247.png)
![Short-term effects of usage[14]](/uploads/202412/14/Short-term_effects_of_heroin0247.png)
Heroin is an opioid pain killer. It is also used less commonly as a cough suppressant and as an antidiarrhoeal. Heroin is used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Frequent and regular administration is associated with tolerance and physical dependence. In some countries it is available for prescription to long-term users as a form of opioid replacement therapy alongside counseling.