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Drug Addiction Heroin UseHeroin Drug addiction heroin use is a major problem in the United States. This highly addictive drug is made from morphine, which is a natural substance harvested from the seedpods of poppy plants, then processed. The drug appears as a white powder, although it is sometimes also seen as a brown powder. Heroin is a major problem because of its serious health risks. Users who mainline heroin are in jeopardy of contracting AIDS and hepatitis from sharing dirty needles, and those users often sustain collapsed veins. Heroin overdose is a serious risk, and too often those overdoses are fatal. Women using this drug while pregnant can suffer a spontaneous abortion. Drug Addiction Heroin Use Seeks the “Rush” Heroin users seek the “rush” that the drug gives. This feeling of euphoria comes on, and users feel a warm flush in the skin. The user’s arms and legs might feel heavy. Dry mouth is common. Users may feel sleepy one moment and be wide awake another. The central nervous system is depressed under heroin, and mental functions slow down. These are all short-term effects. Long-term, abuse of heroin and addiction to heroin can lead to the collapsed veins. Serious, unseen problems can occur, such as heart problems, infections of the heart lining and valves. Cellulitis and liver disease may develop, as well as pulmonary disease. Addicts may be in poor health and get pneumonia, as Heroin depresses the respiratory system. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network reported in 2003 that eight percent of Emergency Department visits by drug users involved heroin, and another four percent can be added on to that by users who used other opiates which might have included heroin. Drug Addiction Heroin Use is Caused by Body Tolerance Users develop a tolerance to heroin and that leads to abuse. Abusers need more and more heroin to get the same “rush” and as the amount of heroin needed grows, the dependence on the drug takes hold. Addicts need the drug because their bodies have become used to the drug being present, as if it were supposed to be there in order for everything to function. It has been fooled into thinking it “needs” the heroin. Reduction in the amount of heroin used can produce withdrawal symptoms, even though the addict is still using. Even after a short period of time, as little as a few hours, the body wants more. Addicts experience pain in the muscles and bones, diarrhea, chills, vomiting and insomnia. The worst of the symptoms of withdrawal occur 48 to 72 hours after taking the drug, and can linger on for a week. Addicts who are in poor health are actual at risk of dying if the drug is taken away. Heroin withdrawal is not as life-threatening or dangerous as barbiturate or alcohol withdrawal. Can’t Just Go Cold Turkey In another section of this web site we refer to rehab programs for drug addiction heroin use with administer alternatives to heroin. (See treatments) This is done because of the danger involved with cutting the addict off and denying the body the opportunity to reset itself to functioning without the drug. Distributors and dealers of heroin target children for expanding their markets. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System is a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That report in 2005 indicated among the students interviewed, 2.4% admitted to using heroin at least once in their lifetime. The Community Epidemiology Work Group measured strong heroin indicators in major North American cities. Ranking highest were Baltimore, Newark, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. The study for the year 2004 indicates that 82% of drug treatment admissions in Newark were primary for heroin abuse. Boston reported 74% and Baltimore 60%. These drug treatment admissions did not include those for alcohol. Good News The good news is that it appears as though heroin use, abuse and addiction might be declining slightly. Still, adults 21-25 are a problem area, as according to 2004 figures from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the percentage of users in that group increased. This ends the info on drug addiction heroin click here to return to Causes
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