HEROIN ABUSE

In 2002, among past year heroin users, 50% abused or were dependent on heroin during the past year

Heroin abuse means the voluntary abuse of heroin - i.e. where people choose to do so.
Dependence is a bit further down the line and involves compulsive abuse of heroin - i.e. where people are driven to abuse heroin by various internal compulsions.

Although the current epidemic of cocaine use has commanded more attention, heroin abuse remains a serious problem in the United States. For example, the number of hospital emergency department visits related to the abuse of heroin rose from 38,100 in 1988 to 63,000 in 1993, an increase of 65 percent. In addition, some researchers have noted that snorting and smoking heroin may be growing in popularity as alternatives to injecting the drug.

Heroin abuse is defined as the chronic or habitual use of heroin to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. Traditional definitions of addiction, with their criteria of physical dependence and withdrawal (and often an underlying tenor of depravity and sin) have been modified with increased understanding; with the introduction of new drugs, such as cocaine, that are psychologically or neuro-psychologically addicting; and with the realization that its stereotypical application to heroin abusers was invalid because many of them remain occasional users with no physical dependence. Addiction is more often now defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society and includes both licit and illicit drugs, and the term “substance abuse” is now frequently used because of the broad range of substances (including alcohol and inhalants) that can fit the addictive profile. Psychological dependence is the subjective feeling that the heroin abuser needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being; physical dependence is characterized by tolerance (the need for increasingly larger doses of heroin in order to achieve the initial effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the user is abstinent.

Definitions of heroin abuse and addiction are subjective and infused with the political and moral values of the society or culture. For example, the stimulant caffeine in coffee and tea is a drug used by millions of people, but because of its relatively mild stimulatory effects and because caffeine does not generally trigger antisocial behavior in users, the drinking of coffee and tea, despite the fact that caffeine is physically addictive, is not generally considered drug abuse. Even narcotics addiction is seen only as drug abuse in certain social contexts.

• People abuse heroin for many different reasons. Here's a few examples:
  • To avoid feeling bored,
  • To fit in with our peers,
  • To have more self-confidence,
  • To belong to a special 'group',
  • To forget about problems,
  • To relax,
  • To feel good.

You'll note that all these reasons are about changing the way people feel. They're about avoiding boredom or loneliness, feeling powerful and part of a group, feeling relaxed, feeling "good" etc. Heroin abuse provides 'good' feelings that are otherwise missing from a person's life. That's why people choose to abuse heroin - at least to begin with.

People who have become physically or psychologically dependent to some degree on heroin often realize that they're using more than they used to. They may then make some effort to reduce their heroin intake. This could involve cutting down the amount taken each time; only using on certain days; switching to another drug (e.g. heroin to methadone) etc. Sometimes attempts to cut down may involve a life change such as moving home or changing job. It's very common for such efforts to end in total failure, much to the utter bewilderment and dismay of the individual concerned. He or she cannot reduce their heroin intake. They're now faced with the fact that their heroin abuse is beyond their control. It has taken on a destructive force of its own. He or she now needs help to deal this problem.

W hen an individual with a drug or alcohol abuse problem has made a conscious decision to stop abusing drugs or alcohol, but has been unsuccessful in all attempts to do so on their own, it may become necessary to solicit help from a drug treatment or alcohol treatment professional. The importance of choosing the appropriate type of treatment for a individuals specific situation should not be under estimated.

T he initial step of choosing a treatment program should ensure that the most effective treatment method is selected which best fit the individuals specific treatment needs. If an incorrect evaluation is made when selecting a treatment modality the individual chances for failure increase significantly.

D rug treatment and alcohol treatment should address the specific needs of each individual. There are varying degrees of abuse. Some individuals may have a history of many prior attempts to end their abuse patterns and failed. For those who fall into this category, in patient residential treatment may prove fruitful. Research studies show that in patient treatment is the most successful modality for individuals with multiple unsuccessful attempts at sobriety through out patient treatment .

O n the other hand, a individual may only have a recent history of abuse and wishes to correct the situation, but may encounter difficulty in doing so on their own. For such an individual out patient treatment or counseling would most likely be the appropriate initial approach in addressing their situation.

I ndividuals with years of heavy drug or alcohol abuse may have a more difficult time when it comes to ending their abuse patterns. The difficulty may lie in fact that their lifestyle has consisted of drug or alcohol use for such an extended period of time that it may be difficult to imagine themselves living without substances. This type of individual may greatly benefit from attending a long term inpatient drug ang alcohol rehabilitation program. This type of treatment generally involves a peroid of three to six months so as to provide the individual with an extensive change of environment as well as care twenty-four hours a day. Research has proven that this may be the most successful type of treatment for those who have a history of heavy substance abuse spanning over many years.

As you can see, it is important that you make an educated decision when choosing a drug treatment or alcohol treatment method. For many recovery has become a revolving door of treatment center after treatment center. This need not be the case. Drug & alcohol recovery is possible. You can do it and we can help! Contact us for a free confidential consultation and referral. We have over thirty years experience specializing in drug treatment and alcohol treatment. Get on the road to recovery today! Our referral network consists of over 3,000 of the best drug treatment and alcohol treatment centers in the United States. Drug Abuse Treatment.org is part of a non-profit social betterment organization. All referral services are free of charge. Call Today!

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