Heroin is an opioid, meaning it has the same effect as a number of prescription pain medications, including oxycodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and more. It’s an extremely addictive drug (just like its counterparts), and of the 21.5 million Americans (aged 12 years and older) who have a substance abuse problem, 586,000 are addicted to heroin.
These statistics are from a few years ago, but heroin use has not slowed down and drug overdose remains the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
A Brief History of Heroin
Heroin is an opium derivative, so addiction to heroin began in the mid-to-late 1800s when people would smoke opium in dens throughout the Wild West. According to Narconon.org, “famous names of the period like Wild Bill Hickock and Kit Carson actually frequented opium dens more often than saloons.”
Morphine was eventually derived from opium, which was considered a miracle drug because it made painless operations possible. Unfortunately, it was used to treat soldiers during the Civil War, and the result was widespread addiction. After Vietnam, there was a similar effect; soldiers who spent a long time in hospitals convalescing from injuries became addicted to the morphine. Sadly, heroin was brought to the United States in an effort to treat morphine addiction; experts of the time believed that heroin was safe, not-addictive, and a good substitute for morphine.
Heroin was sold over-the-counter, and people were encouraged to use hypodermic needles on themselves and their children to inject morphine or heroin. These packages were sometimes sold with cocaine. It wasn’t until 1920 that Congress recognized the dangers of these drugs, but it was already too late. The United States had a market for heroin, and it has remained a widely-used street drug ever since.
Heroin Doesn’t Discriminate
Heroin isn’t a drug that’s predominately used by one demographic over another; neither class nor location play a role in its use. Researchers at Washington State University analyzed the data from more than 150 drug treatment centers and determined that the majority of heroin users are suburban whites in their early twenties.
The experts at Georgia Detox warn that heroin dependency can lead to “reckless behavior” and it has the potential to destroy relationships. “Studies have also shown that long-term heroin use can actually deteriorate white matter in the brain. This damage can lead to problems with making decisions, regulating behavior, and responding to stressful situations.” The only real way to help yourself or a loved one is to get them into a comprehensive treatment program, one that includes medical detox.
Hope for the Future
Fortunately, there are folks doing their best to help extinguish the heroin epidemic. From law enforcement officials to law makers, everyone is aware the problem is life-threatening. Moreover, detox facilities and rehabs, such as the Georgia-based detox facility mentioned above, are spreading awareness, treating addicts, and researching and implementing new strategies to help get people clean and keep them that way.
Opening more rehab clinics and freely offering addicts the opportunity to reduce their dependency is a step in the right direction. Many leaders are looking to reduce punishments and treat addiction as a health concern rather than a crime; however, the United States does maintain a strong cultural hatred for addicts, and this attitude has helped to fill the prison systems and stopped many people from getting real detoxification and therapy; thus resulting in falling back into the addiction upon completion of their jail or prison term.
The people who are working hard to fight the heroin epidemic are often the same folks who are working hard at prison reform. As long as the United States continues to imprison addicts without treating them for addiction, the problem will continue to worsen. Today’s thought leaders are pushing for harm reduction and more treatment options; if you wish to do your part make sure to vote for leaders who share these values.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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