STATISTICS ABOUT HEROIN USE
About 494,000
Americans over the age of 12 are regular heroin users.
Over 81,000
Drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12 month period – primarily driven by synthetic opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
About 25 percent
Of people who try heroin will become addicted.
5 FAST FACTS ABOUT HEROIN
1. Heroin is highly addictive and dangerous opioid drug.
2. Heroin disrupts the behavior of certain natural chemicals in the brain which causes these pathways to become dependent on the use of heroin to continue functioning.
3. Chronic heroin users experience various medical complications such as scarred veins, abscesses and bacterial infections of blood vessels
4. Sharing injection equipment is how many heroin users become infected with severe illness like Hepatitis B & C and HIV.
5. Many chronic heroin users experience mental illness such as depression and antisocial personality disorder.
ABOUT HEROIN ADDICTION
Heroin addiction can develop quickly, however, it usually takes several uses. Regular use of the drug produces high levels of tolerance, which is why users start needing higher doses to feel the effects, and ultimately become addicted. Heroin use and addiction often starts with misuse of prescription opioid medications.
Heroin addiction results in severe physical dependence, and withdrawal can occur within hours of the last use of the drug.
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
- Restlessness
- Muscle and bone pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
SIGNS OF HEROIN ABUSE
- Spending more time alone
- Moodiness
- Making irrational decisions
- Lack of motivation
- Confusion
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
- Inability to focus
- Lapsing in and out of consciousness
- Heart palpitations
- Decreased respiration
- Low blood pressure
- Anxiety and depression
- Dry mouth
SIGNS OF ADDICTION
- Shallow breaths
- Gasping for air
- Very pale skin
- Low blood pressure
- Weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme drowsiness
- Disorientation
LONG TERM EFFECTS
- Heart disease
- Lung problems
- Cognitive damage
- Overdose potential
HEROIN OVERDOSE TREATMENT
The treatment for heroin overdose is a medicine called naloxone (brand name Narcan). It is an opioid receptor antagonist medication that can reverse a heroin overdose. Narcan can be used by both medical professionals as well as caregivers and family members and can be lifesaving.
HEROIN ADDICTION TREATMENT
If you’re struggling with heroin addiction, there is hope and help available. No matter how serious the addiction is, it is treatable and recovery is possible.
The typical first step in heroin addiction treatment is detoxing. Then, treatment for heroin addiction can include both behavioral and pharmacological (medicinal) intervention – with a combination of both proving to be most effective.
Detoxing from herion
- Detox is the process of ridding the body of drugs. Medication is recommended during this stage to reduce cravings and physical withdrawal symptoms. Detox alone is not a treatment for heroin addiction but must be followed by another form of behavioral or pharmacological treatment.
Medications for heroin addiction
- Agonists, such as methadone, activate opioid receptors, but produce a smaller response.
Partial agonists, such as buprenorphine, relieve drug cravings without producing a high.
Antagonists, such as naltrexone, block the action of opioids and is not addictive.
Behavioral therapies for heroin addiction
Therapies that are commonly used in heroin addiction treatment include contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – teaches patients in recovery to find connections between their thoughts, feelings and actions and increase awareness of how these factors impact recovery.
- Contingency management – rewards patients for positive behavior change, such as negative drug tests. After treatment is complete, patients should consider their relapse prevention plan or an “aftercare” program. This can include continued counseling or participation in support groups.
