The Dangers of Heroin Addiction

Sept. 12, 2009 - PRLog -- Heroin is a member of the opiate family of drugs and made from certain types of poppy plants.  The substance is commonly sold on the street where it is known as; chick, brother, Harry Jones, heavy stuff, Judas, Schmack or Nixon. Heroin is cut with other substances before it is sold on the street, which can make the drug even more dangerous because it is no longer pure.

People who suffer from an addiction to heroin can become seriously ill and experience a wide variety of health complications and conditions.  Many times a heroin user does know what the drug is cut with, which can lead to an increased risk of heroin poisoning which can be toxic.  Heroin is commonly mixed with other drugs such as cocaine and injected in a “speed ball,” which increases the risk of death from overdose.

A person can become a heroin addict from snorting, smoking or injecting the drug.  Tolerance and dependency develop in a relatively short amount of time, which is what makes the drug so extremely dangerous.  The allure of heroin comes from the intense euphoria experienced when the drug is first ingested, and in order to avoid the severe and painful withdrawal symptoms that follow discontinued use a person will use heroin again and again.

The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis is extremely high among people who abuse heroin; because of the fact users are prone to sharing dirty needles.  Other problems that accompany heroin addiction are collapsed veins, infections, heart, liver, kidney, lung and brain damage and much more.  The drug is very dangerous and the problems with addiction are on the rise in the United States, spiraling to epic proportions.

Heroin abuse can lead a person into severe depression, which leaves an addict craving the intense happiness and euphoria experienced when using.  This is part of the allure and appeal of heroin has and is what makes it irresistible, people with full-blown addiction are powerless to stop on their own and will do anything possible to be able to use the drug.  Heroin abuse and addiction are not something easily beaten and often without the help of a professional drug treatment facility, a person cannot stop using no matter how strong they might be.

Many people do not realize how serious an addiction to heroin can become, the drug works on the brain and destroys a person’s ability to reason and logic.  Changes in the brain chemistry and structure can alter body functions and make the user act out in abnormal and sometimes violent ways.  With changes to the brain function, a person’s body can lose the ability to perform normal functions such as breathing, which makes the risk of death extremely high.

Heroin addiction is a serious and grave situation for the user and those who love them.  The drug use will escalate beyond all control and the addict will use the drug before doing anything else.  With the help of a professional drug treatment center, many former heroin addicts have gone on to lead a healthy, normal life and left behind the world of addiction once and for all.

Heroin addiction does not have to be a permanent problem in someone’s life. There are a number of ways that a person can overcome an addiction to heroin. The best way is to enter into a detoxification center and then from the detoxification center, a person should go immediately to a substance abuse program to help them work on gaining the tools to remain drug free. There are many different programs to choose from so be sure to get as much information on the drug treatment facility chosen so you can make an informed and educated choice.

Heroin addiction treatment can be found at Transformations Treatment Center http://www.transformationstreatment.com/addiction-to-hero...

# # #

Transformations is a drug treatment center, alcohol treatment center and Christian drug treatment center located in Delray Beach, Florida. Transformation's website address is http://www.transformationstreatment.com/addiction-to-heroin.html