- Adderall
- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
- Chronic Relapse
- Cocaine
- Codependency
- Compulsive Hoarding
- Crack Cocaine
- Crystal Meth
- Dual Diagnosis
- Eating Disorder
- Ecstasy
- Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
- Gender Specific Issues
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Inhalants
- Ketamine (Special K)
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
- Marijuana
- Methadone
- Methamphetamine
- OxyContin
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Process Addiction
- Ritalin and Concerta
- Sex and Love Addiction
- Steroids
- Suboxone
- Synthetic Cannabis
- Trauma
- Valium
- Video Game Addiction
- Xanax
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive opiate derived from morphine, a naturally occurring substance processed from certain varieties of poppy plants. The name heroin is a brand name, coined and marketed by the Bayer Corporation. Originally developed and used for medicinal purposes – including as a non-addictive cure for morphine addiction (the soldiers’ disease) – its toxic effects were not completely acknowledged until the 1920s, when strict regulations were passed by the League of Nations. With production and distribution limited to medical usage, it quickly found its way to the black market, where it became one of the most notorious and abused drugs.
Heroin is delivered to the body through injection (most frequent method), inhalation of its powdered form, or smoked. The addictive properties of heroin render it a maintenance drug requiring daily use to stave off effects of withdrawal. This, coupled with the development of tolerance for the drug, makes it one of the most profitable of controlled substances.
Physical consequences
Heroin abuse has a serious and deadly impact on the health of the user. Because the drug is frequently injected, users are at risk of contracting deadly infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. In addition, users risk death from an overdose. Pregnant women who use heroin risk spontaneous abortion as well as the fetus becoming addicted. Consistent use can also lead to:
- collapsed veins
- infections of the heart lining and its valves,
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Other threats and complications are possible. Because heroin is usually mixed with other substances before it is sold, these contaminants can damage vital organs, arteries, and lead to a wide range of pulmonary and respiratory conditions.
Societal consequences
Because abusers build tolerance to heroin, requiring more frequent and increasing dosage, the ability to function as regular member of society is diminished. The drug becomes the center of the addict’s world, and impairs the user’s ability to function in a normal manner. Abuse leads to job loss, which puts the addict in a position of having to generate capital to satisfy the craving for the drug. As such, besides high unemployment rates, crime is also a problem, which further exacerbates unemployment, and on and on.
Treatment options
A number of treatment programs are available and consist of a combination of medical and behavioral therapies. Detoxification is the first step, and is accomplished through the gradual reduction of dosage or shifting the patient to a less harmful substance that mimics the effects of heroin, but on a less serious plane. After detoxification, the patient is referred to a long-term inpatient facility where the medical treatment is coupled with behavioral therapy. After completing the inpatient program, a serious of private or outpatient therapies are available including sober living homes, group counseling, and other support groups.
If you feel that your loved one needs to be in a rehabilitation treatment center for Heroin addiction please feel free to fill out a patient placement form and The Way Out Recovery will aid in placement of your loved one.