Heroin Drug Help
Heroin is a drug that many people need help to stop using. This page will provide
you with information on how to help yourself or someone you care about who has
a problem with heroin. Last year, there were approximately 84,000 visits to
emergency rooms in the U.S. due to heroin. This problem can be remedied with
knowledgeable help.
Anyone can develop a problem with heroin. There is no known single characteristic
shared by everyone who abuses heroin. An individual who needs help with heroin
can be any age, profession, ethnic group or social class.
According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, or DAWN, heroin and morphine (which
cannot be told apart by medical examiners after the body metabolizes the chemicals)
accounted for 51% of drug deaths ruled accidental or unexpected in 1999. While
heroin produces intense feelings of pleasure while the user is "on"
it the lows that follow will leave them depressed and irritable. Their body's
normal production of chemicals to the brain, which typically produce feelings
of pleasure are surpassed, this is what leads to their feelings of depression.
The brain demands more and more heroin to achieve a feeling of normality again.
A cycle of highs and lows begins leading to the loss of control over their heroin
use - resulting in addiction.
Detoxification is key to help an individual who has a problem with heroin.
While detoxification is not in itself a treatment for heroin , it is a necessary
step in recovery. When combined with an additional treatment approach, detoxification
helps in adjusting the individual to a drug-free state. Overall, the highest
success rate for heroin treatment is detoxification in combination with long-term
inpatient treatment for a duration of at least 3 to 6 months.
If you or someone you care about has a problem with heroin and needs help here
are some important tips to keep in mind:
- Don't Rescue the Addict
Friends and family members can attempt to protect an addict from the consequences
of his behavior by making excuses about his addiction or getting him out of
trouble. This behavior must stop! Once the addict experiences the effects
of his behavior, he may become more motivated to stop using drugs.
- Don't Become an Enabler
Family members should be careful not to reward the addict by paying his bills,
bailing him out of jail, letting him stay for free or ignoring his behavior.
- Be Honest
Tell the addict that you are concerned about his heroin addiction and want
to be supportive for him while he gets help. Support your concern with examples
of the ways in which his heroin use has caused problems for you, including
any recent incidents.
- State the Consequences
Tell the addict that until he gets help, you will leave him to the consequences
of his behavior and will no longer bail him out. Make it clear that you are
not trying to punish the addict, but protect yourself from the harmful effects
of his addiction.
- Be Prepared
If the addict is ready get help, don't wait. Once he's agrees to get help,
work immediately to find the treatment approach that is right for the individual.
- Don't Give Up
If the addict refuses help, don't give up. Be supportive and don't enable
or allow his behavior. Listen whenever you can and be ready to help the addict
into treatment when he is ready.
- Find a treatment approach
The importance of locating a qualified treatment facility is important to
the addicts recovery. There are numerous types of treatment programs available,
find one that is right for the individual.
It is important that the individual receives help early on in their abuse.
Treatment is known to be more effective if conducted at the onset of the problem.
Treatment options include a wide range of approaches: education, counseling,
therapy, rehab, and groups. Our website will help you in your search for the
treatment approach that is right for you or someone you care about who has a
problem with heroin.