Drug Rehab Search: Heroin Addiction and Treatment

Heroin is an opiate the comes from the extracts of the opium poppy.  For intravenous users, the use of non-sterilized needles and equipment leads to risk of contracting diseases. These blood-borne pathogens include HIV and hepatitis. Contaminants added to dilute or cut heroin can result in poisoning. Other health risks include addiction with a constantly growing tolerance, chronic constipation, and decreased kidney function.
Many countries and local governments have systems in place to supply sterilized needles to people who inject heroin in an attempt to limit the spread of the aforementioned blook-born pathogens.

The harm reduction philosophy seeks to minimize the risks of recreational use of heroin. Minimizing the risks include safer means of taking the drug (such as smoking, snorting, oral and rectal insertion) – this reduces the risk of overdose and infections of blood-borne pathogens.

 

Withdrawal symptoms from heroin may start from 6 to 24 hours after discontinuation of the drug. Symptoms can include sweating, malaise, feelings of heaviness, cramps, insomnia, cold sweats, chills, muscle and bone ache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Many users experience “itchy blood” which often results in compulsive scratching that causes bruises and scabs.
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