Symptoms of Heroin Abuse and Treatment Options

 

Heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs out there, and is highly addictive. It's known by several names, including black tar, smack, and junk. People who abuse heroin should seek help immediately, as even short term abuse can cause several life-threatening problems.

Heroin is purchased as a white or brownish colored powder that is generally melted down, and injected by the user with a needle. Heroin is often mixed with other drugs and chemicals, so users are at risk by not knowing what they're injecting themselves with. Because of this, it's very easy to overdose, and without emergency treatment, the overdose will cause death.

People who abuse heroin, do so for the euphoric high it gives them. The effects will usually last for a few hours, however the longer the drug is abused the more doses are needed to experience the same type of high. This type of dependence is similar to alcoholism, where more and more alcohol must be consumed due the body's increased tolerance level.

Heroin users can experience several severe health problems, including issues with veins, as well as putting themselves at much greater risk for contracting HIV/AIDS as well as hepatitis. Severe abusers, or junkies, may be so out of it that they share needles with a person who's infected. It's often a complete stranger who may not even know they're also infected.

Abuse of heroin is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Abusers who want to quit the habit should do so under constant medical and psychological supervision. The symptoms of withdrawal are very painful, and can include vomiting, diarrhea, and an inability to sleep.

Heroin is used for its relaxing benefits, but is extremely dangerous. People who have an addiction should seek immediate help, and be tested for HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne illnesses. With the proper treatment many addicts are able to recover and get clean.

Learn About The Restore™ Neurotransmitter Restoration Program and How it Can Help Those Detoxing From Heroin and Other Substances:

 

Why I Would Never Use Heroin

When I was growing up, I never came across anyone that used heroin. There were plenty of drinkers in my family, but no one I knew ever did anything this hard. In fact, I never heard of it until I was about 14. A neighborhood woman gave me a fiction book about a girl that gets hooked on heroin. I read that book so many times because I could not believe that anyone would want to do drugs that could cause them to become sick looking and possibly limbless.

In high school we had a visitor come in and talk to us about the dangers of using heroin. She looked very sad and downtrodden and her clothes didn't fit very well. She told us about how she got hooked on heroin and began to share needles with her husband. He ended up contracting HIV, which he ended up giving to her. If that wasn't enough, she told us about how her veins collapsed in her arm and she ended up having to have it amputated.

I listened to her story as I fought back tears. Most people would say she was weak, but I felt sad. I found it terrible that someone could want a high so bad that they would end up with a deadly disease and a lost limb. I almost passed out when she admitted that she still used on a regular basis. She says she has help from her "friends" since she only has one arm.

I could NEVER imagine myself using heroin or any other drug after hearing her story. Since then I have come across several people that have allowed heroin addiction to take over their lives. I constantly tell myself that a temporary good feeling is not worth all of the negative things that can happen to my life.