Is Heroin a Depressant Drug? Quick and Safe Detox

Yes, like many other substances, heroin is categorized as a depressant drug because it slows down the central nervous system, including brain functions, heart rate, and breathing. In other words, depressants slow down the messaging system between the brain and body.  That’s why heroin causes serious effects on the brain and body. If used in high doses, it can slow down breathing, which can be a life-threatening condition, and may even cause death. Therefore, get personalized heroin addiction treatment today. ChoicePoint is here to support you with personalized treatment options and compassionate care. Take the first step now by calling 844.445.2565 or filling out this form to consult a drug rehab expert in NJ for a safe and fast heroin detox!

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What Is a Depressant?

Depressants are substances that affect the central nervous system by slowing down the communication between the brain and the body. As a result, a person’s concentration and coordination may be impaired, reducing their ability to react quickly to unexpected situations, such as while driving. When taken in small doses, depressants can produce feelings of relaxation and calm. However, in larger doses, they may cause drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, even lead to unconsciousness or death.

Is Heroin a Depressant Drug?

Yes, heroin is a depressant drug that works oppositely to stimulants. Below are some main features of depressant and stimulant drugs.

Heroin Addiction vs. Dependence and Tolerance

According to an article published in PubMed Central,¹ in the U.S., wrongly diagnosing someone with an addiction can cause serious problems. That’s why we need to understand the difference between dependence, addiction, and tolerance.

Heroin Dependence

Heroin dependence refers to a condition in which the body gets used to a drug, and stopping it causes withdrawal symptoms. With treatment, physical dependence on heroin can be safely managed and eventually eliminated.

Heroin Addiction

While physical dependence refers to the body’s need for a drug to avoid heroin withdrawal symptoms, addiction involves changing the brain circuits that trigger intense cravings and loss of control. After completing addiction treatment, these brain changes can cause cravings to return, which may lead to relapse, even after a long period of recovery.

Heroin Tolerance

Tolerance refers to the condition when someone needs increased doses of heroin to feel high. It happens because the brain adapts to the drug over time, reducing its response to the same amount. As a result, the person must use more heroin to achieve the euphoric effect. 

5 Minute Free Assessment: Check Quickly If You Are Addicted to Heroin 

Are you abusing Gas Station Heroin Zaza or Purple Heroin? Simple snorting can even cause an overdose, resulting in life-threatening consequences.

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

How Quickly Does Heroin Affect the Body?

How long does heroin stay in your system depends on many factors, including how someone uses heroin. In the case of injecting or smoking heroin, the speed of its effects is almost instantaneous. The other ways of heroin use, such as heroin snorting, can show the impact in 10 to 15 minutes. The other factors include weight, overall health conditions, the frequency of heroin use, mixing it with other drugs, the strength of heroin, etc.

Top Dangers of Heroin Abuse You Should Know

Heroin is highly addictive, with serious dangers attached. These are the effects of heroin as a depressant that can cause serious health risks can be classified into the following categories:

Physical Risks

1. Respiratory Depression: Heroin depresses the central nervous system (CNS), which controls vital functions like breathing and heart rate. This can cause respiratory depression², the most common cause of heroin overdose deaths.
2. Collapsed Veins: Injecting heroin can damage veins, leading to collapsed veins and soft tissue infections.
3. Infectious Diseases: Sharing needles is common among people who use heroin. It causes various infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and C.
4. Liver and Kidney Damage: Heroin is often mixed (“cut”) with toxic additives, which can damage the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
5. Heart Infections: Long-term heroin use strains the heart, increasing the risk of heart infections.
6. Chronic Constipation and Digestive Issues: Heroin addiction almost always causes chronic constipation because it slows down the movement of the digestive system, particularly the muscles in the intestines.
7. Overdose Risk: There’s a high risk of drug overdose because the strength of heroin can change, and mixing it with other drugs makes it even more dangerous.

Mental and Emotional Dangers

1. Addiction (Heroin Use Disorder): In the beginning, heroin makes people feel good, but over time, they feel like they can’t live without it. 
2. Mood Swings: People who use heroin often feel very sad, anxious, or angry, especially when they don’t have the drug.
3. Thinking Problems: Heroin can hurt memory and decision-making, making it hard to think clearly or focus.
4. Loss of Interest in Life: People may stop caring about work, school, family, or hobbies. Heroin becomes the only thing they care about.
5. Loneliness and Isolation: Heroin use often leads people to pull away from family and friends, which makes them feel even more alone.
6. Risk of Suicide: Because of depression and hopelessness, people who use heroin may feel like life isn’t worth living.

Effects of Heroin Use

What Are the Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

When someone with heroin dependence disorder tries to stop using the drug, they often experience intense withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, these symptoms may become life-threatening, which is why the withdrawal process should occur under medical supervision. Findings from a PubMed Central³ study suggest these withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Hot and cold flushes
• Perspiration
• Muscle cramps
• Watery discharge from the eyes and nose
• Diarrhoea
• Intense cravings for heroin

Understanding the Stages of Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin withdrawal is a complex process that goes through various stages before the body is cleared of the toxic substance. Here is the detailed description of these stages:

Acute Withdrawal Stage

This stage begins 6–12 hours after the last dose, peaks around 2–3 days, and usually lasts up to 7–10 days. The following symptoms may show up during this stage:

• Anxiety and agitation
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Yawning
• Runny nose and watery eyes
• Increased heart rate
• Intense drug cravings
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

After acute symptoms fade, the post-acute withdrawal phase starts, which can last weeks to months. Common symptoms of this stage may include:

• Mood swings and depression
• Low energy and fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Cravings (especially under stress)

Consult our 24/7 virtual experts before you fall into the pit of this prolific drug misuse!

How to Recover from Heroin Addiction

As heroin is a highly addictive drug, recovering from it requires time, effort, and treatment supervised by medical professionals. The main steps to recover from heroin abuse include:

1. Acknowledge the problem and decide to seek help.
2. Reach out to a medical professional or addiction specialist.
3. Start a detox program to manage withdrawal safely.
4. Join a rehab program—either inpatient or outpatient.
5. Consider medication-assisted treatment if recommended.
6. Attend therapy to address emotional and mental health issues.
7. Build a strong support system of family, friends, or support groups.
8. Avoid triggers and high-risk situations that may lead to relapse.
9. Develop healthy routines, including exercise and self-care.
10. Stay committed through aftercare programs and ongoing support.

Choosing Outpatient rehab for heroin addiction treatment is in your best interest. If you are among the ones who are unable to manage their daily activities while receiving treatment and don’t have a stable housing situation, ChoicePoint has got you covered while accepting major commercial insurance plans.

Heroin Treatment at ChoicePoint Drug Rehab in NJ

ChoicePoint offers flexible and professional treatment for heroin addiction. Check out the following options to live a life of sobriety:

• Heroin Outpatient Treatment Program
• Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment Program
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Aftercare Addiction Treatment Program
• Addiction Therapy Services
• Detox Addiction Treatment Program

Not sure if your treatment is covered? At ChoicePoint heroin rehab in NJ we accept most major commercial insurance plans and help you verify your benefits quickly and confidentially.

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FAQs

How does heroin act as a depressant in the body?

Heroin binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which reduces pain and causes a calming or sedative effect. This leads to slowed breathing and reduced alertness.

Can mixing heroin with other depressants be dangerous?

Yes, mixing heroin with other depressants like alcohol or sleeping pills is very dangerous. These substances slow down brain activity, and when used simultaneously, can stop it completely. This can lead to coma or death, especially during an overdose.

How does heroin’s depressant effect contribute to overdose deaths?

Heroin slows down breathing by affecting the brain’s control center. Heroin overdose further slows it down, which means your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. There is always a risk of shutting down brain activity altogether, which leads to death. This is the main reason behind most heroin overdose deaths.

Do all opioids act as depressants like heroin, and are they equally dangerous?

Yes, all opioids, including painkillers, act as depressants and slow down brain and body functions, especially breathing. Some opioids, like fentanyl, are even stronger and more dangerous than heroin. While not all opioids are equally strong, they all carry serious risks when abused.

Sources

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, July 6). Drugs and the brain. In Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. Retrieved June 7, 2025, from
   https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
2. Wakeman, S. E., & Rigg, K. K. (2021). Drug dependence is not addiction, and it matters. Annals of Medicine, 53(1), Article 8583742. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2021.1982411
3. Jolley, C. J., Bell, J., Rafferty, G. F., Moxham, J., & Strang, J. (2015). Understanding heroin overdose: A study of the acute respiratory depressant effects of injected pharmaceutical heroin. PLOS ONE, 10(10), e0140995.
   https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140995
4. World Health Organization. (2009). Clinical guidelines for withdrawal management and treatment of drug dependence in closed settings (Section 4, Withdrawal Management). In Bookshelf (NIH Bookshelf ID NBK310652). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/