Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin addiction is one of the more difficult addictions to treat, making finding a quality drug addiction facility all the more important.
A recent National Survey on Drug Use & Health (from 2006) revealed that 338,000 Americans claimed to be heroin users.
This was an almost 150% increase from the previous number, which was 136,000.
The usage rate jumped more than twice the previous number, from .
06% to .
14%.
There were 91,000 first time users in 2006, the average age being just under 22 years of age.
Breaking the study down further, the study reported that 14.
4% of youths aged 12-17 claimed heroin would be fairly or very easily available.
This statistic, along with a young average age for first time users is an alarming trend.
Individuals in this age group are less likely to possess the required responsibility to admit or recognize if an addiction is present.
Heroin addiction gives the user feelings alternating in dramatic waves from highs and lows.
The euphoria high of heroin is experienced virtually upon injection, traveling straight to the brain.
With continued usage a person develops a higher tolerance level requiring larger doses to reach the same high.
The higher the level of tolerance the harder it is for a person to quit, and doing so, without medical help, will cause seemingly unbearable withdrawal symptoms.
Some of these symptoms may be vomiting, insomnia, cramping, depression, and bodily and mental pain.
Because of heroins extremely addictive nature forces the user to abuse it repeatedly and continually, making it an addiction that is very difficult to recover from.
Besides the direct risks stemming from the heroin itself, there are other indirect risks.
People abusing heroin through injections are prone to spreading diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
Heroin is also a very deadly drug, causing many overdoses.
While there may be a misconception that heroin is only used by adults, the above numbers show that a large number of teenagers and young adults are abusing the drugs in spite of the known dangers.
Trying heroin even once is an extremely dangerous decision.
Parents and their children must understand that the drug is illegal to sell or manufacture, and even just possess in the United States.
Anyone suspecting that there is heroin activity in or around their community or sense any symptoms of addiction in their loved ones should not hesitate to get help.
Treating Heroin Addiction The process through which heroin addiction is treated is a very difficult one.
It is not uncommon for addicts to go through several treatment programs and subsequent relapses before successfully kicking the habit.
Hence, it is essential that people suffering from heroin addiction find an all encompassing recovery facility that focuses on both the physical and mental symptoms experienced during heroin withdrawal.
When the addict, or their family, decides on a drug rehab center they should remember that it should offer a program customizable to their individual situation; this is the most effective way to combat a heroin addiction.
The first step in the recovery process is that of physical detoxification in which physicians administer medications in controlled does to help eliminate an addict's dependency on the drug.
The medications used can, themselves, be dangerous and their administering needs to be watched carefully by a qualified doctor.
This detox process can takes weeks or months depending upon the degree of addiction.
The next step is even more involving, consisting of a rigorous combination of psychological, physical and behavioral therapy.
Long term residential rehab centers are more effective than month-long programs, offering a more controlled and drug free environment along with the comprehensive methods needed recover from heroin addiction.
With a large number of the country's heroin users being of the age where they still need schooling, it is important for the rehab facility to offer continuing education opportunities to their residents.
A recent National Survey on Drug Use & Health (from 2006) revealed that 338,000 Americans claimed to be heroin users.
This was an almost 150% increase from the previous number, which was 136,000.
The usage rate jumped more than twice the previous number, from .
06% to .
14%.
There were 91,000 first time users in 2006, the average age being just under 22 years of age.
Breaking the study down further, the study reported that 14.
4% of youths aged 12-17 claimed heroin would be fairly or very easily available.
This statistic, along with a young average age for first time users is an alarming trend.
Individuals in this age group are less likely to possess the required responsibility to admit or recognize if an addiction is present.
Heroin addiction gives the user feelings alternating in dramatic waves from highs and lows.
The euphoria high of heroin is experienced virtually upon injection, traveling straight to the brain.
With continued usage a person develops a higher tolerance level requiring larger doses to reach the same high.
The higher the level of tolerance the harder it is for a person to quit, and doing so, without medical help, will cause seemingly unbearable withdrawal symptoms.
Some of these symptoms may be vomiting, insomnia, cramping, depression, and bodily and mental pain.
Because of heroins extremely addictive nature forces the user to abuse it repeatedly and continually, making it an addiction that is very difficult to recover from.
Besides the direct risks stemming from the heroin itself, there are other indirect risks.
People abusing heroin through injections are prone to spreading diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
Heroin is also a very deadly drug, causing many overdoses.
While there may be a misconception that heroin is only used by adults, the above numbers show that a large number of teenagers and young adults are abusing the drugs in spite of the known dangers.
Trying heroin even once is an extremely dangerous decision.
Parents and their children must understand that the drug is illegal to sell or manufacture, and even just possess in the United States.
Anyone suspecting that there is heroin activity in or around their community or sense any symptoms of addiction in their loved ones should not hesitate to get help.
Treating Heroin Addiction The process through which heroin addiction is treated is a very difficult one.
It is not uncommon for addicts to go through several treatment programs and subsequent relapses before successfully kicking the habit.
Hence, it is essential that people suffering from heroin addiction find an all encompassing recovery facility that focuses on both the physical and mental symptoms experienced during heroin withdrawal.
When the addict, or their family, decides on a drug rehab center they should remember that it should offer a program customizable to their individual situation; this is the most effective way to combat a heroin addiction.
The first step in the recovery process is that of physical detoxification in which physicians administer medications in controlled does to help eliminate an addict's dependency on the drug.
The medications used can, themselves, be dangerous and their administering needs to be watched carefully by a qualified doctor.
This detox process can takes weeks or months depending upon the degree of addiction.
The next step is even more involving, consisting of a rigorous combination of psychological, physical and behavioral therapy.
Long term residential rehab centers are more effective than month-long programs, offering a more controlled and drug free environment along with the comprehensive methods needed recover from heroin addiction.
With a large number of the country's heroin users being of the age where they still need schooling, it is important for the rehab facility to offer continuing education opportunities to their residents.
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