National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Heroin is chemically produced from morphine through the process of acetylation, which involves the addition of acetyl groups to the morphine molecule. Morphine contains hydroxyl groups, and by attaching two acetyl groups to these hydroxyl functional groups, the resultant compound is diacetylmorphine, commonly known as heroin. This modification not only alters the solubility and efficacy of the drug but also enhances its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, contributing to its potency as an opioid. Understanding this chemical transformation is crucial for comprehending the pharmacological differences between morphine and heroin, as well as their implications for addiction and dependency.