Drugs and Alcohol Addiction is a universal problem. There are several ways to overcome it.
Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a Schedule I controlled substance and the most abused opiate. This drug is highly addictive and its use is a serious public health problem in the United States.
Heroin is manufactured from morphine and is normally available as a white or brownish powder. A black sticky variety with the street name black tar heroin is also available. While pure heroin is not common in the market, heroin mixed with other drugs or with sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine is easily obtainable. Street heroin can also be mixed with strychnine.
Heroin is more physically addictive
than morphine. Regular use and larger doses will definitely lead to
addiction. Abusers often do not realize the actual strength of the
drug and are at risk of overdose or death. There is also the added
risk of the transmission of HIV and other diseases by sharing injection
needles.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2003), an estimated 3.7 million people had used heroin at some time in their lives. Heroin has many street names including smack, skag, and Mexican black tar.
Effects of Heroin
Soon after the administration of the drug to the body, heroin reaches brain and being converted to morphine. Abusers often experience a pleasurable sensation this time and the intensity of the rush is proportional to the dose. As it enters the brain so rapidly, heroin is highly addictive. The user may experience warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. The addiction itself is the most harmful effect of heroin use. The drug can change the brains and behavior of a user. Continual heroin injection use may lead to collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves, abscesses and liver or kidney diseases.
Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
An incessant craving for heroin is the most visible symptom of addiction. Dry mouth, warm flushing of the skin, nausea, vomiting, and severe itching are other common symptoms. An addict may show withdrawal symptoms between 24 and 48 hours after stopping the intake of heroin. Common withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Treatment
The selection of treatment for heroin
addiction depends, to a great extent, on the individual. Many
behavioral therapies and holistic treatments are also used for treating
heroin addiction.
Call us any time toll free at 1-800-559-9503 for addiction intervention and
one of our trained counselors will ensure attention to you or your loved one.
