What You Must Know About Heroin Addiction And Treatment

Heroin is a popular drug amongst the various drug cultures in America. It has caused havoc with our generation and turned away the young minds from their active and responsible social life. Heroin addiction and treatment therefore must be understood in its entirety.

Heroin is an opium derivative. Developed by German Scientists around 1874, it was considered as a wonder drug which could replace morphine, another opium derivative. Morphine was used as a pain killer during the 1800s. Due to widespread morphine addictions amongst the Northern and Confederate soldiers after the Civil War in America, doctors started prescribing heroin instead.

The drug was given a lot of preference initially as it was marketed by the German trademark holders as a non-addictive drug. This claim ultimately proved to be wrong. In 1920, its over-the-counter distribution was banned although it was too late.

The opium users develop a strong physical and mental dependency on its abuse. This makes it very difficult to rid a heroin abuser off his desperation. Therefore, the best ways to treat the malady is to introduce the patient to an effective de-addiction program immediately as the first signs of addiction appear.

The typical symptoms of heroin addiction are withdrawal within a few hours of the drug intake, restlessness, pain in the muscles and bones, insomnia, vomiting and diarrhea and cold flashes accompanied by goose bumps. The withdrawal leads to watery eyes, dilated pupils, running nose, yawning, loss of appetite, tremors, chills, nausea, panic and muscle cramps.

The treatment process is same as with any other drug abuse case. First, the doctor detoxifies the body of the patient and rids him/her off the excessive amounts of the drug. Once this is done, they are referred to an appropriate rehab program.

For over three decades now, the most widespread and successful treatment method has been using Methadone, a synthetic opiate. Researchers in the University of Adelaide have recently discovered a genetic variation that may help in determining the most appropriate Methadone dosage quantities for each addict on an individual basis. This could further decrease the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms and encourage more and more patients to go through with it.

Levo-alpha acetyl methadol, or LAAM, is another synthetic opiate, which requires only 3 doses a week to block the heroin. Naltrexone and Naloxone are the other drugs that are immensely helpful in cleaning the system. The effects of Naltrexone last for about 1 to 3 days.

The other, comparatively newer drugs which work in a similar fashion are Dihydrocodeine and Buprenorphine. Their usage has increased because they are cheaper and less toxic than Methadone.

Once this is over, the long term effects of intoxication and the risk factors of a relapse get reduced considerably by following a good rehab program afterwards. These programs use counseling, discussions in self-help groups and guidance to rid the patient completely of the craving. Family and friends must also contribute in the patient's battle against the drug.

Heroin addiction and treatment therefore is a modification of the other drug abuse treatment programs.

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