Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction should be taken very seriously.  Heroin is not only highly addictive and illegal, but the destruction heroin causes extends way past addiction.  Just in terms of social consequences, we talking about crime, violence, families torn apart, loss of time spent on the job, or losing one's job altogether, cheating, stealing, druggies begging for money on the street and in our parks, etc.  In terms of medical repercussions, we talking about HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, fetal effects, overdoses, and poor general health leading to all kinds of different illnesses from the common cold to infections.  Heroin addiction's impact on society costs billions of dollars each year.

Do not underestimate the heroin cravings.  They overtake the addict and nothing will seem as important as finding another fix.

For family members of a heroin addict, this can be an extremely stressful period. Will the next phone call be the police? The morgue? Heroin is extremely dangerous and lethal.  An intervention may be necessary to help your loved one.

 If you need help or advice, we can help.  Call to speak with one of our trained counselors.  All information will be kept confidential and we'll take the time to explain the best treatment options available in your specific case. Call (877) 502-1065.  Don't put it off.  There is no cost or obligation. 

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that in 2008, 5.3 million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine in any form and 1.1 million had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

Cocaine addicts can spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on cocaine weekly. The cost of cocaine varies from year to year and from dealer to dealer as the purity of the product may vary.

Heroin addiction treatment

There are many different heroin treatment philosophies but most will agree that short-term programs will not be beneficial. If the addict has completed some other program including a 12-step program but yet relapsed, it is usually due to the fact that the user never fully handled the cravings.  A detoxification program helps to end the cravings by eliminating the drug residues in the body.

Our counselors can go over the options available to the heroin addict. Call (877) 502- 1065 and we can answer your questions and help find the proper program for the addict.

What is heroin?

Heroin is a Schedule I drug, which is to say, under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, heroin has a high potential for abuse, and it has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.

Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as "black tar heroin." Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Street heroin also can be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death.
 

How is heroin used?

Users usually inject, sniff or smoke heroin. A heroin addict may inject up to four times a day. Injecting heron directly, that is to say, intravenously, provides the quickest and greatest intensity, within 7 to 8 seconds.  Injecting heroin intramuscularly slows the onset down to 5 to 8 minutes.  When heroin is smoked or sniffed, the user will usually "peak" within 10 to 15 minutes. All three forms of use are addictive.

Injection continues to be the most popular form of using heroin and the most dangerous, as not only can the rush overcome the user, but dirty needles can cause infection and the practice of sharing needles could lead to the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV and other blood borne viruses.  These diseases can then be passed along to sexual partners and children.

How does heroin effect the body?

After heroin enters the body, either through injections or inhalations, the drug crosses the bloodbrain barrier. In the brain, heroin is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opioid receptors.  This creates a surge of euphoria, a "rush."  The user will experience clouded thinking then wakeful and then drowsy states. Pain will be suppressed.

The user may experience a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in their extremities.  The user may experience nausea and vomiting and severe twitching. Spontaneous abortions can occur.

Heroin depresses breathing, cardiac functions slow, overdoses can be fatal.

Long-term heroin abuse may result in collapsed veins, abscesses, infection of the heart lining and valves, arthritis and other rheumatologic problems.

As with all long-term drug use, the body begins to tolerate heroin and withdrawal symptoms will then occur within a few hours after the last time the drug was taken.  Symptoms of withdrawal may include: restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold sweats and goose bumps along with leg movements.

Call now for Immediate Drug Rehab Assistance
(877) 502-1065

CALL NOW for
Immediate Assistance Finding a
Heroin Drug Treatment Program
(877) 502-1065

All calls are confidential at no cost or
obligation to you. Or, fill out the form below and tell us when you want one of our trained counselors to contact you.
 

You've been searching for a heroin treatment program.  You should have plenty of questions now about treatment options, locations, cost and success rates. We're available to answer your questions at no cost to you.  Either fill out the form to the upper right and let us know what time is best to reach you or call now to speak to a counselor at (877) 502-1065. The truth is, you don't have to live your life as an addict. Get the facts now.

Heroin  Common Street Names

Brown Sugar - Mud - Smack - Horse - Junk - Black Tar - Big H - Dope - Skag - China White - Mexican Brown

Know the terms