subject: Heroin Addiction [print this page] Heroin addiction is not a habit that can be picked up overnight; it is actually a habit that is formed by previous dependencies. Addictions begin with early usage of other drugs such as marijuana, alcohol and other recreational substances. Abusers normally begin to try harsher drugs when they are attempting to self-medicate emotional pain or ward off withdrawal pains. Whats sad about this is that once this habit is formed the user begins to believe that they cannot escape using the drug.
Anyone has the mental capacity to stop using drugs; it just takes time and a lot of support. If the user continues to abuse heroin to the point of overuse the effects upon the heart, lungs, and brains can be fatal. Naturally no one would like to see this happen under any circumstances so detox is a must in order to prevent overuse from happening.
The heroin detoxification process is extremely uncomfortable as their body tries to rid of the opiate. The beginning symptoms include anxiety, inability to sleep, and obsessive sneezing. Then the detox symptoms will advance to nausea, vomiting, severe chills and shaking. These symptoms are harrowing and that is the main reason why quitting heroin cold turkey has such a low success rate. It is recommended to seek a hospital based detoxification process that will be followed by continued treatment.
As a family member it is natural to feel like your loved one has chosen the drug over you. It seems like they are being selfish and have no regard to how their abuse is making you feel or the effect it has on you and others around. While it is completely understandable to feel this way you have to understand where he or she is and how they feel as well. As stated earlier most abusers turn to drugs to escape some sort of psychological pain and torment. They feel alone and as though no one understands their pain and reasoning but please believe that deep down they want to quit. Remind them of reasons as to why they need to stop using but please be sensitive to their feelings and emotions.
Trying to help your loved one quit using heroin will prove to be one of the hardest tasks youve ever done, but please be patient and please offer every ounce of support that you have to give. When you and youre family makes it through this ordeal, no task will ever seem difficult. The saying goes Rome wasnt built in a day but without a doubt, it was built and thats all that matters.
Dulwich Hill in Sydney, Australia used to have the unenviable distinction of being the "Heroin Capital" of Sydney's inner-west. Father Dave has been a parish priest there since 1990. Best known for his work with at-risk teenagers - for which he has twice been named 'Citizen of the Year' (and twice nominated for Australian of the Year), Father Dave has helped many young people struggling with alcohol and drug addictions.
