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Heroin-Opiates Addiction
Heroin-Opiates Addiction
Heroin-Opiates
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Heroin, what is it? The use of heroin is increasing, it has become a popular drugs with teens and young adults. Heroin is a highly addictive drug and it is illegal. Heroin is the most quickly acting of the opiates and it is the most abused opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance which is extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. Heroin is typically a white or brownish powder; there is also something called "black tar heroin," is a black sticky substance.  Heroin in its pure form is becoming more common, most of the heroin sold on the streets is "cut" with other substances such as starch, powdered milk or sugar. Some of the street heroin can also be cut with poisons or strychnine. When an addict buys drugs off the street the user does not know the actual strength of the drug so therefore they are at risk of overdose or death. Because of the high to propensity to use heroin intravenously there is an increased chance of contracting Hepatitis or HIV which can occur from the sharing of needles. Heroin, how is it used? Heroin can be smoked, snorted or sniffed but heroin is usually injected directly into the vein. When the drug is taken intravenously it provides the greatest intensity and within 7 to 8 seconds the addict will experience euphoria. The euphoric feeling is typically achieved within 10 to 15 minutes. It does not matter if the addict shots, snorts or smokes heroin, all form of ingestion have the ability to lead to addiction. Heroin, what are the long term effects? The primary effect of long term heroin use is addiction. Once a person is addicted there is a compulsion to seek and use the drug and there is a neurochemical change in the brain. With sustained heroin use there are profound degrees of physical dependence which is also a highly motivating factor for compulsive use and abuse of the drug. Once a physical dependency is there the addict will spend more and more time and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once they are addicted, a heroin addicts main purpose in life becomes seeking heroin and using heroin. This drug literally changes the addicts brain.  Heroin is a physically addictive drug as well, the body adapts to the presence of heroin and without the drug in the body a person will go through a physical withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal can occur within a few hours of their lost use. When going through withdrawal the addict may experience bone and muscle and bone pain, muscle cramping, diarrhea, insomnia, cold flashes with goose bumps, vomiting and leg movements. Withdrawal can last as long as a week; during the first 24 to 48 hours the withdrawal symptoms will peak. Typically a withdrawal from heroin is never fatal to adults who are otherwise healthy, but if the addict is pregnant it can cause death to the fetus.
Detoxification, what is it?Detoxification, often referred to as "detox" is the process of coming of the heroin or other opiates without feeling the symptoms of withdrawal. There are many detox centers in the United States to choose from and there is not much difference it the centers or method of treatment. It is important to note that detox alone will not be enough to end the addiction to heroin or other opiates. Detox is not treatment. Detox is the first step in the recovery process and should be followed with the residential or in-patient rehabilitation.
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predisposed
to addiction or alcoholism, this is a subject that has been debated for years
within the rehabilitation and scientific community. The "disease concept" is one
school of thought, embracing the idea that addiction is a disease that is
inherited, "it runs in our family," is a common belief.State Drug Rehab Centers
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