Ecstasy does not wreck the mind, study claims

[Loki]

Heroin withdrawal's severity has been overplayed, mainly by books and movies that romanticise the junkie lifestyle.

In reality, heroin withdrawal is not life-threatening -- unlike a severe alcohol withdrawal that leads to delirium tremens, which nearly always is, for example.

The main danger with heroin (besides the addictive nature) is respiratory depression. That is why doctors co-administer oxygen when they give you IV morphine in hospital. There is a new drug called BIMU8 which counters that, and will enable much larger doses of opiates to be taken without the danger of respiratory depression.

[Treffie]

It drains serotonin. But the serotonin levels automatically return to normal after a week or so. Which is why it is advised to wait a few weeks minimum between usage.

I think this is worrying - especially for someone who's already suffering from severe depression.