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Heroin Statistics and Facts

Heroin Statistics and Facts

Whether you’ve heard the stories of heroin-addicted celebrities in Hollywood or come across tragic overdose headlines in your own local newspaper, it is obvious heroin abuse is on the rise. A look at recent statistics and facts demonstrate how serious a problem heroin is today.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a powerful opioid drug derived from the opioid poppy plants. Heroin may be injected, sniffed, snorted or smoked, and is highly addictive, no matter how the drug is used. And—as evidenced in all those celebrity stories and headlines—heroin is deadly.

If you or a loved one has developed a heroin addiction, seek help immediately. Speak confidentially with a counselor right now. Make the call. (888) 837-6577.

Sobering Statistics

Statistics show that heroin abuse is on the rise in our country and more dangerous than ever:

  • In the past three years, nearly 700,000 Americans reported using heroin. The highest numbers are among the young adult demographic between 18 to 25.
  • Additionally, more than 150,000 people reported that they began using heroin, nearly double the number of people who began using the drug only six years earlier.
  • Heroin abuse is, for now, mostly confined to those 18-years-old and older. Less than one percent of 8th-12th graders report having tried the drug since 2005.
  • Heroin is highly addictive. It is estimated that some 25 percent of those who use heroin even once become dependent on it.

Facts You Need to Know

Heroin can cause serious peripheral health issues. More than almost any other drug, heroin puts you at risk for several serious health problems not directly associated with the drug itself. IV users who inject heroin are among the most likely people in the world to be stricken with HIV/AIDS or hepatitis as a result of sharing dirty, used needles. Heroin addiction also causes heart and liver problems.

Heroin can be ingested several different ways. As mentioned already, the primary ways that someone generally ingests heroin include shooting the drug into their veins with a needle, sniffing or snorting the powder form of heroin, or smoking it.

Heroin is costly habit. On average, a heroin addict may spend between $150 and $250 per day on his or her habit.

Heroin detox is NOT rehab. Despite the claims of many facilities, heroin detox treatment is only a part of the heroin addiction recovery process. In order to break the cycle of addiction, you must address both the physical heroin dependence (through detox) and the psychological component (through counseling and aftercare).

Heroin addicts rarely seek treatment on their own. A person addicted to heroin is highly unlikely to admit that he or she has a problem on their own. It is usually up to family and friends to step in and make sure the individual gets the treatment they need.

Heroin Overdose

A heroin overdose occurs when you’ve used enough of the drug to produce a life-threatening reaction or death. Heroin overdoses have increased in recent years. An overdose victim’s breathing slows or stops. A medication called Naloxone (available as NARCAN) is used to treat an overdose, blocking the effects of heroin, hopefully allowing the victim to resume breathing. It is imperative to get an overdose victim immediate emergency medical attention.

And if you or someone you love is using heroin—
Let Us Help You Find Treatment Options

If you’re ready to leave heroin addiction behind for good, let us help! Don’t let heroin addiction ruin (or take) your life. Our staff is standing by to answer any questions you might have about drug abuse, addiction, or treatment.

It’s important to recognize, abuse and addiction don’t happen in a vacuum. The path to recovery and wholeness involves getting to the root the problem. To get at underlying hurt and bring lasting healing takes a holistic—spirit, mind and body—approach to addiction diagnosis, management and treatment.

Heroin Statistics and Facts

At Honey Lake Clinic, our experienced doctors and staff strongly believe that faith-based treatment, encompassing spiritual, physical and mental health, will help clients and their families bring spiritual power and clearer psychological understanding to their healing and recovery.

Let us help you regain control of your life. Renewal can start today with a simple phone call. Honey Lake Clinic (888) 837-6577 Email info@honeylake.clinic or Visit www.honeylake.clinic