Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Explore Channel4
Food
Homes
Film
4Car
News
See All
Addiction: Heroin

What is heroin?

Diamorphine
    Next 

Heroin is the most powerful known painkiller. It is one of the opiates that come from the dried milk of the opium poppy, which include morphine and codeine. Heroin isn't a naturally occurring drug – it is refined from morphine. It is therefore more powerful, although its effects are very similar. Heroin's medical name is diamorphine.

DiamorphinePoppyWrap of heroinChasing the dragon
SyringeThe heartBlood vesselsBrain scan
Person in apathetic stateInjecting userFeverNaltrexone
Help available for anyone affected by alcohol and drug abuse
Follow the Detox 5 programme on our interactive timeline
Vote now on a series of drug-related issues
Your opinions and experiences
Who to go to for help and advice
The facts, on everything from physical and mental health to the law, through features and personal stories

Channel 4 © 2009. Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of external websites.