Young Adults and Heroin Addiction – Signs that Your Young Person Might be Using Heroin
Originally touted as a non-addictive replacement for morphine, heroin has continuously grown in popularity since the early 1900s. Currently, 9 out of 10 young people coming into drug treatment today are addicted to heroin. Heroin comes back into young adult mainstream popularity about every 8-10 years since the late 1960s. Yet the number of fatal overdoses appears to be increasing over the past 15 years. Accidental overdose is the most common cause of death among heroin users. Research studies have revealed that 50-70 percent of injecting drug users have experienced a non-fatal overdose at some time in their lives, with 20-30 percent overdosing in the preceding 12 months. Death from heroin overdose is due to respiratory arrest. Many people who die from heroin overdoses do so 2-3 hours after taking the drug.
Extensive research has shown the following risk factors for overdose:
· Using the drug intravenously
· Having a history of heroin dependence
· Using the drug after a period of non-use or reduced use
· Not being in treatment for heroin dependence
· Cconcomitant use of depressants, such as alcohol and/or benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin)
A significant number of overdose fatalities occur after periods of reduced use, such as immediately after release from treatment, jail or prison. Hair analysis studies (showing that overdose fatalities were using less heroin than active street users in the months preceding death) confirm this idea. Entry into abstinence-based treatment also represents a potentially risky period for heroin overdose if the person relapses, since tolerance is lost to the drug.
The loss of tolerance that occurs following termination of heroin use may vary for different effects of the drug. Thus, users who reduce their consumption may be at greater risk of overdose as their tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects may have diminished more rapidly than their tolerance to the desired psychological effects of the drug.
Signs That a Young Person is Using Heroin
Physical Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting
Itching and scratching
Constricted, pinpoint pupils
Constipation, cessation of menstruation
Weight loss
Needle marks on arms and/or legs
Dry mouth, runny nose, constant sniffing
Droopy appearance, as if extremities are “heavy”
Nodding out mid-conversation
Slowed speech
Emotional Signs
Mood swings
Irritability
Diminished self-esteem
Depression
Change in interests
Evidence of Heroin Use
Burnt gum wrappers, foil
Burnt or missing spoons
Missing shoelaces or belts
(used to tie off arms to inject heroin)
Pipes, rolling papers, etc
Bottles of eye drops used to
rid themselves of bloodshot or
glassy eyes
Wax paper of Glycerin bags
Straws, Cotton balls
Mirrors with scratches on them
Razor blades
Heroin Drug Resource Center
——–> Heroin Statistics & Facts
——–> Heroin Drug Rehab Information