Devastating Effects of the Heroin Epidemic. Who is Affected?

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “In 2012 about 669,000 Americans reported using heroin in the past year, a number that has been on the rise since 2007”. Heroin use is on the rise and it is affecting millions of people through dealing with a family member who is an addict, society, overdoses, and deaths. When it comes to addiction everyone suffers.

What is Heroin?

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Heroin can be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Other common names for heroin include big H, horse, hell dust, and smack.” People snort, smoke, and inject the substance. Use of heroin results in feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

How is Heroin Used? Snorted? Smoked? Injected?

People snort, smoke, and inject the substance. Regardless of the way it is used it produces feelings of Euphoria, Sedation, and Pleasure. The longer an addict uses the substance, the reduction in feelings of pleasure dissipate, and the user begins using in order to not feel sick. Since tolerance leads to the necessity for a higher intake to reduce cravings, and withdraw a person is at higher risk for overdose because of an increased amount needed to achieve the same high.

What’s Really in Heroin?

In addition to that, many heroin users are also polydrug users. When heroin is used in combination to other drugs it can be deadly. According to a recent article published by CCN, “ Teen overdose Deaths climbed 19% in 2015 because of polydrug use the majority were from combined prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone and illicit drugs such as heroin and street fentanyl”. Heroin is deadly, and is often consumed with little knowledge of what the drug has been cut or laced with. In addition to cut and laced substances, Kelly Burch of the Fix states that, “ Many people who use heroin tend to use numerous other substances”. Polydrug use is deadly weather it is done intentionally, or unintentionally the combination of multiple substances can lead to detrimental consequences.

A Recent Incident of Fentanyl Laced Heroin

In Tennessee two women are facing homicide charges. Fox 17 News from Nashville released a news publication yesterday describing the incident, it stated that, “The lab results indicated that the substance contained, a combination of ketamine, tramadol, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Another drug mixture contained a mixture of methamphetamine, acrylfentanyl and methoxyacetylfentanyl”.  The dangerous mixture lead to the death of a Tennessee man. However, the problem does not only exist in Tennessee it is a problem throughout the US. Heroin has long been a problem throughout the United states. In fact, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that heroin use increased 63% between 2002 and 2013, and heroin-related overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled over the same time period. CDC Director Tom Friedman stated during a press conference that, “with the increase we are seeing a dramatic rise in deaths”.  It is becoming more and more common for drug dealers to cut heroin with other drugs like Fentanyl.

Who Else is Affected by the Heroin Epidemic?

The heroin epidemic does not only affect the users, it affects everyone around them. Families of users are faced with struggles daily. Worrying, be stolen from to support the users addiction. Hospital, and the government is left with unpaid hospital bills from overdoses and deaths.  In fact in article published by  The government is faced with housing inmates who have severe addictions, and/or who are supplying the drugs to users. The children of addicts are suffering at the hands of a parent who is not there, or whose physical presence is there but they are not in actuality there for them. The reality is that everyone is affected by this crises.

People Fighting Against Heroin Use

People are stepping up to fight against the Heroin Epidemic. In a recent news coverage on ABC 13 a New York woman discusses the struggles of dealing with her daughters heroin addiction. In an emotional statement describing her despair because of her daughters addiction she states that, ““Heroin has taken over her life,” she said. “We want our daughter back. We want the devil gone.” This statement is indicative of exactly what the families of addicts are experiencing. It a situation in which complete turmoil takes over the family, and they are left helpless in their ability to help the heroin addict. The New york woman speaks out to request more resources and programs for people suffering from addiction. Likewise, in West Virginia, Patricia Keller the judge of the town’s drug court program, administering justice and compassion to those returning to her courtroom again and again. There are many people across the united states concerned with the heroin epidemic because they have seen it first hand.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one need a professional detox, and a good start at recovery get the help that you need. There are a variety of treatment options available. At Coast to Coast Recovery, you can find a range of addiction treatment services from holistic healing and complementary therapies to 12-step programs and Christian-based teaching. Let us help you end a life of addiction and start your journey to lasting sobriety. To learn more, call (800) 210-8229.