Opioid Abuse
HEROIN
According to the CDC, "Heroin addiction is a major health crisis happening across the United States. Due to the drug’s similarities to prescription opioids, and affordability, this deadly substance has become a leading drug of abuse. Other than heroin, some commonly abused opioids include morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, fentanyl, meperidine, methadone, and oxycodone.
The euphoric effects produced by heroin and other opioids are large contributors to addiction. Heroin is widely available and just one use can put someone on a rapid path to addiction."
SIGNS OF MISUSE:
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red marks or scars on arms, hands, legs or feet
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always wearing long sleeves
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missing valuable items
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bent spoons that look burnt
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solitude
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signs of depression
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weight loss
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syringes
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"nodding off", falling asleep while sitting up
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constricted pupils (pinpoint size).
WHAT MAKES THE OPIATE, HEROIN SO ADDICTIVE?
Heroin abuse produces high levels of tolerance very quickly, meaning:
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It impacts brain functions much faster than most other drugs.
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As soon as someone starts abusing heroin, they begin to build a tolerance to the drug.
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Once a tolerance has developed, it will take larger amounts of the drug to produce the same desired effects.
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Achieving a level of euphoria through heroin becomes much more difficult as the substance abuse persists.
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With every use of heroin, the brain rewires itself little by little, until you need heroin to feel normal, not to get high.
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A heroin user continues to abuse the drug simply to avoid the dangerous and highly unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal, indicating that an addiction to heroin has begun.