How Much Does Heroin Cost?

Heroin is one of the most addictive opioids in the world. Manufactured primarily in southern Asia, Columbia, and most recently Mexico, heroin is derived from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant.

Heroin has a similar effect on the brain as other opioids, such as Vicodin and OxyContin, binding to opioid receptors in the brain and producing feelings of calm and relaxation.

A staggering 80 percent of people who use heroin admitted to beginning with and misusing prescription opiates and later switching to heroin.

Supply and demand trends, as well as competing drug cartels, have driven the cost of heroin so low that only one other illegal drug, meth, is less expensive.

The Street Price Of Heroin: How Much Does Heroin Cost?

The answer to how much heroin costs can easily be answered according to heroin quantities:

• How much does heroin cost per gram? Approximately $500 per gram of pure heroin.
• How much does a bag of heroin cost? Typically as little as $5 per bag.
• How much does a kilo of heroin cost? Roughly $30,000 per kilo.

This is nearly an 80 percent decrease from the early 1980s price for heroin of $2,200 per gram.

How Much Does Heroin Cost Per Day?

How much it costs to abuse heroin every day depends on a person’s level of addiction. Since a bag of heroin costs as little as $5, depending on your location, heroin is relatively cheap compared to other drugs.

In most states, in fact, it is cheaper to abuse heroin than cigarettes. However, heroin is highly addictive and can cause individuals to become severely dependent on the drug within a short time.

To achieve a continual high, many people abuse heroin in binges, taking more before the first dose wears off. In order to chase these long-lasting effects, a person may spend anywhere from $100 to $200 a day to abuse heroin.

Why Heroin Is So Low-Cost

Heroin is an inexpensive alternative for those with addictions to opioid prescriptions. While many opioid prescriptions begin with individuals taking their medication, once the prescription runs out they are left seeking a drug that affords the same effects.

They may begin seeking opioid prescriptions sold on the street at first, but these may cost anywhere from $50 per pill to more than $100. Heroin is a much cheaper alternative.

Heroin also provides a much more substantial and instantaneous high. Heroin is two to five times stronger than morphine. Also, the most popular form of abuse of heroin is shooting it (injection), which provides the effects instantly.

Opioid prescriptions are most often crushed and snorted, which means they take several minutes to take effect. This can make a large difference for those with severe addictions who are looking to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

The True Cost Of Heroin: What Heroin Costs The User

Although the economic value of heroin is seen as relatively low-cost, the true price of heroin is incredibly steep.

The physical toll heroin can take on the body includes:

• liver and kidney disease
• infections of the lining of the heart
• mental disorders
• nasal lining complications for those who snort it
• increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis for those who inject it
• fatal overdose

Finding Help For A Heroin Addiction

The true question isn’t how much does heroin cost but, instead, what is the price you or your loved one will pay? Thankfully, you have options and you do not have to do this alone.

AddictionResource.net has a wealth of resources including assistance with determining if your insurance will help cover costs.

If you’re concerned about going to a rehab center for heroin abuse or addiction, our treatment specialists can discuss treatment options that are right for you or a loved one.

Don’t wait another second. Reach out today for yourself or your loved one to find the resources needed to make a change. Visit AddictionResource.net to contact a treatment specialist who can assist you in finding the best treatment options.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff