Heroin addiction, as many people realize, is difficult to kick. Faced with sever withdrawals, the addict often finds it easier to simply keep using heroin, despite the risks of overdosing, contracting HIV or hepatitis, or being caught by police.
After becoming addicted, the person is reduced to using just to feel normal, not so much to get high.
Unfortunately, many people who have unwittingly become drug-addicted to prescription painkillers, such as OxyContin or Percocet, soon find themselves getting heroin. The reason? Heroin is much, much cheaper.
Aaron, an former heroin addict who graduated from the The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab Georgia three years ago, talks about the long road to recovery.
Interviewed by Mary Rieser, Executive Director, Aaron tells his story:
“I was born in 1978 in Columbus, Ohio to a single mom who did everything she could to give me a good upbringing. She worked a lot of hours but spent good quality time with me. She taught me right from wrong and was a good friend. I wanted to be a rock star when I grew up and got very accomplished at the guitar. I practiced all the time.
“When I was 15 a friend introduced me to pot. That was the beginning of a long drug abuse trend for me. Soon I was doing LSD and other hard drugs. I still managed to keep a job throughout this time. When I was 22 I started doing heroin and that was when my life really went down. I quit working and pawned everything I could to kick the habit. I isolated myself from my family and friends. The only thing I liked was my guitar.
“I did heroin for 5 years. I overdosed twice and almost died both times, but that did not stop me. It took becoming completely homeless, penniless and friendless for me to ask for help. That is how I came to arrive at The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab of Georgia.
“My uncle had a friend who had gone through the The Atlanta Recovery Center program and she was doing very well. My mother thought that I would like the approach and sold me on the program and the set up. I was afraid to come to rehab, but sold on the point that I would get to participate in outside activities. I still decided I would only come for a month, but I did not tell anyone about this decision. However, when I saw how the program was working for me, I decided to graduate and I am very glad I did.
“If you are truly ready to get clean, this is a great place to be. We will help you not only with the drugs, but other things that are necessary for a happy and successful life.
“Anyone who comes here will work with me when they do the The Atlanta Recovery Center New Life Detoxification program. That is where I work now and I love seeing the results. In a few short weeks I get to see slight changes-changes for the better- that are starting to occur in our students. I see them go from thinking about drugs all the time, to reducing or eliminating all the cravings. They start to enjoy other things, once they stop thinking about the drugs. They are happy and look great when they finish the program. I am lucky to be able to help others in this way.
“The results of The Atlanta Recovery Center tell the story. The Atlanta Recovery Center is the place to go because it works.”
For more information on drug addiction rehabilitation or drug education, call The Atlanta Recovery Center of Georgia at 1-877-236-3981.
