Despite the fact that heroin is a controlled and illegal substance, it continues to top the list of the opiate epidemic in the United States. Unfortunately, many people around the world aren’t getting the necessary treatment for their addictions. Learning what is heroin addiction will reveal more about the causes of addiction, how to help others and how to seek treatment for yourself.
Heroin Can be Consumed in Multiple Ways
Many people think of heroin as a drug that is injected. Until the last decade, heroin was primarily injected, and that was how heroin use was portrayed in films and television shows. In reality, however, knowing what is heroin and that it can be used in many different ways, is the beginning of knowledge about this dangerous drug.
One of the heroin addiction facts that everyone should know is that heroin is addictive no matter how it is consumed. Whether injected, snorted or even smoked, it can wreak havoc on the body and lead to dependence.
What is Heroin and How Does Addiction Start?
Heroin addiction facts wouldn’t be complete without mention of opioid prescription drugs. It is important to understand that many of the people who struggle with heroin addictions first struggled with an addiction to prescription medication. This is a result of the ongoing opioid epidemic in America and around the world.
When patients are prescribed opioid medications for short-term pain management, it can quickly and easily lead to an addiction. If it becomes difficult to get hold of opioid painkillers, an alternative is heroin. This accounts for the millions of individuals who only ever tried heroin because they were already addicted to prescription opioid painkillers.
What is Heroin Addiction – What Does It Look Like?
A common misconception about what is heroin is that it’s a drug used exclusively by a certain subset of the population. However, heroin addiction facts set the record straight. Heroin addiction is a problem plaguing people from all walks of life. In addition, it is increasingly impacting younger people, including high school and college-age individuals.
Heroin Dates Back to the 19th Century
Believe it or not, heroin is not a new drug. In fact, heroin was developed by the pharmaceutical company Bayer back in 1898. It was actually offered as an alternative to morphine without the risks of addiction. Of course, now we know this isn’t true. It has also been used as a remedy for tuberculosis and even as a primary ingredient in cough medicines.
Heroin Addiction Facts Include How Expensive It Is
Heroin, considered the cheap alternative to opioid prescriptions, makes it appear like the drug is affordable. However, it is important to look at the heroin addiction facts that relate to cost. On average, those addicted to heroin spend upwards of $150 per day on heroin.
Clearly, this is a tremendous amount of money, particularly over time when addictions worsen and tolerance increases. People addicted to heroin can easily spend thousands of dollars per week just trying to function and avoid withdrawal symptoms. From a financial standpoint alone, a heroin detox can be the answer.
23% of People Who Try Heroin Become Addicted
One of the most startling heroin addiction facts is that a staggering 23 percent of people who try heroin will become addicted. This showcases the incredible addictiveness of the drug. Heroin is so dangerous, and so addictive, that there is no safe way to use it.
Right now is the time to make a change and seek help for a heroin addiction. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Florida, you can get access to the tools and resources necessary for recovery with any of our detox programs. Call 866-294-5306 to find out how you can fight back and win your personal war against heroin addiction.