A New Generation Of Heroin Users

When heroin started becoming exceedingly popular, it was the early 1970's. People who did heroin generally lived in urban communities, spending $30 on a bag of 28% pure heroin. Today, almost anywhere in America, heroin can be found for as little as $4 for a bag of 80-90% pure heroin. That is cheaper than a six-pack of beer and stronger than it has ever been before. Exceedingly cheap and exceedingly pure, heroin is causing an addiction epidemic throughout America. In the 70's, an average heroin user was from 28 to 30 years old and lived in inter-city locations. Now, the average user is a middle-class teenager.

Massachusetts is an extreme example of what America is dealing with. More than 4% of the state's high school boys have reported their use of heroin. In Boston alone, the number of 18 and 19 year olds that have received emergency room treatment related to heroin use has doubled between 2000 and 2002. In 2003, Massachusetts saw 36,000 admissions into treatment programs regarding heroin abuse and addiction.

The most common “cause” of heroin addiction is reported to be work-related injuries. An individual may have gotten injured, and received a prescription for painkillers from a doctor. They then got hooked on these painkillers such as vicodin, oxycontin, and morphine, but these medications are expensive and have a time frame. When they couldn't afford these prescriptions, or weren't permitted to get them renewed, they turned to the cheaper, more available illicit drug – heroin.

There are many different treatment options available for those addicted to heroin. Most commonly opted for is the methadone or Suboxone treatment, which requires the supervised administration of a specific amount of a synthetic opiate into the addict's system. This allows them to function normally in society, while coping with their heroin addiction. However, in rural areas, this option is somewhat unrealistic. Methadone clinics are few and far between out in the country. Many recovering addicts are forced to commute hours just to receive their medication. Thankfully, there are treatment centers available in most areas that promote a 90+ day residential treatment option that allows for a complete stop of substance use and abuse. Holistic treatment is highly promoted for heroin addicts.

If you or someone you love is suffering from the seemingly never-ending battle with heroin, don't forget that there are options out there. Although the heroin epidemic is rising, that is no reason for you to lose yourself among the numbers. Get treatment, get therapy, and get out of that life. You still possess the power to define who you are. Don't let a substance take that power away from you. Call Ambrosia Treatment Center or any treatment center and start your path towards recovery.