Heroin is one of the most addictive substances known to man. In a 2012 survey, 335,000 people admitted to past-month use of it, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Heroinis one of the most addictive substances known to man. While theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationnotes that heroin accounted for 86 percent of opiate treatment admissions in 2002 and only 63 percent in 2012, this difference is unfortunately due to the drastic rise in the popularity of prescription opioid pain reliever abuse rather than a decline in heroin abuse.
Propensity Towards Addiction
As with addictions to most drugs, there are risk factors that make certain people more likely to develop heroin addiction.Those who struggle with mental illness are also at an increased risk of heroin abuse. Approximately 50 percent of people with severemental health disorders, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, also live with substance abuse issues, notesHelpguide. Additionally, theNational Alliance on Mental Illnessreports that about 50 percent of people with a substance use disorder have at least one serious mental health disorder.
Addictive Potential
Some of the signs of an addiction to heroin are:
- Poor hygiene
- Weight fluctuations
- Cramps
- Trembling
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Restless demeanor
- Anxiety
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Track marks
- Financial troubles
If you stumble upon balloons, baggies, pipes, syringes or aluminum foil, these may also be potential signs of heroin use.
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Heroin floods your mindwith dopamine and limits receptors abilities to function properly. Many individuals will continue to use heroin to pursue the intense, pleasurable high it brings. However, once dependence forms, it’s also important to keep in mind that many people use heroin to avoid withdrawal symptoms, which can range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Over time, dopamine receptors in the brain undergo changes, which can alter the brain’s chemistry significantly. The drug starts out as a method of delivering euphoria and ends up being the only way to experience any feelings of pleasure.
The End of the Line
TheNational Institute on Drug Abusenotes that addiction develops in about 23 percent of all people who use heroin. Currently, the best approach for treating heroin addiction includes continued medication-assisted therapy coupled with psychotherapy. Many patients are put on drugs like methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone right from the start of the detox process. These drugs act as replacements for heroin, allowing the body to slowly wean itself off the drug in decreasing, incremental doses over a period of time.
