Coworker, wife, mother, heroin abuser? The new face of a rising heroin epidemic.
Heroin abuse is not new. But since 2007 there has been a 150% increase in heroin abuse, according to a recent CDC study. The amount of smuggled heroin seized by law enforcement has quadrupled compared to what was seized annually from 2000-2008. Why the dramatic increase?
According to a recent article in the USA Today, about 75% of new heroin abusers first started abusing prescription painkillers. These opiates or morphine-like drugs include OxyContin and Vicodin. Many switch to heroin because it’s cheaper or after the doctor stops prescribing their medication. In comparison a day’s worth of Oxycontin could cost up to $160 for a heavy user, but for heroin only $40.
What’s alarming is the expanding reach of heroin users. The demographic is including more and more people that we haven’t seen before in significant numbers for drug abuse. Of the more surprising findings was a surge in heroin use among middle-class women. A simple surgery or back problem can easily lead to prescription drug misuse or abuse for some people. With the prescription given by a doctor, the problem often goes unlooked until it is already out of hand. Once the problem goes untreated it can spiral into full blown dependence and open the door for a heroin problem.
The effects of heroin abuse can be devastating. If you suspect that you or a loved one’s prescription drug use is getting out of hand, contact one of our specialists to help get the situation under control. It is a misconception that heroin is only an injected drug. Burnt spoons and syringes aren’t the only way it is used. The drug can also be smoked or snorted. Here are few of the red flags of a heroin abuser so that you can take the necessary actions:
- Sudden changes in behavior or actions
- Disorientation
- Cycles of hyper alertness followed by suddenly nodding off
- Possession of paraphernalia to prepare, inject or consume heroin
- Avoiding eye contact
- Slurred, garbled or incoherent speech
