In today’s society, Heroin addiction has spread far and wide, being considered one of the most abused street drugs in the United States. This drug has been known to take control of lives destroying families, homes, careers, and relationships.
Reports filled in 2003 stated that an average of 3.7 million Americans had used heroin at some point in their life and 119,000 had used the drug within the month that the report was written. While the averages today may not be as high, heroin addiction is still considered to be much higher than reported in the 1990’s.
Heroin was originally invented by C.R Alder Wright, an English chemist, but did not get recognized until 1897 when the drug was re-synthesized and marketed through Bayer as a non-addictive morphine substitute. This ended up being a horrendous blunder as the drug was found to be more highly addictive than morphine and codeine, both of which originate from the opium poppy plant. Though, at the time, morphine was considered the most popular abused drug, heroin quickly took the forefront and by 1910 it had been discovered that heroin turned to morphine within the body. By the early 1900’s many governments had strictly regulated the sale and production of opium derivatives and by the mid 1920’s its production had been made illegal.
Throughout the years the production and trafficking of heroin has been connected to various countries and criminal organizations, first starting with Chinese Triad gangs. After world war II, with a crumbling Italian government, the Italian mafia took advantage by setting up heroin labs in Sicily for the purpose of trafficking the drug through Europe and into the United States.
By the early 1980’s it was said that 60% of heroin, within the united states, originated from Afghanistan. The
national institute on drug abuse now reports the majority of heroin in the united states is produced in Columbia and Mexico then smuggled across our southwestern borders.
Heroin addiction has infiltrated the US with disastrous effects, not only to the country's medical and criminal system but to the health and bodies of those addicted. Some physical and mental effects of heroin are:
euphoria
flushing
dry mouth
impaired vision
slurred speech
vomiting
abscesses
cellulitis
heart infections
collapsed veins
liver disease
If this is not enough, people who are trying to kick the addiction have strong withdrawals that can be just as painful and harsh as the side effects. Withdrawals for heroin can last from 48 hours to several weeks or months if not detoxed properly. These withdrawals can include:
bone and muscle pain
diarrhea
restlessness
insomnia
vomiting
cold chills with goose bumps
jerking and kicking of the legs and arms
extreme cravings
Narconon Freedom Center has developed a successful heroin addiction program and has amassed a large group of highly trained specialists to help people lead drug free lives. All of the staff are competent, friendly, and advised in the way to deliver a true drug free withdrawal process. The campus is located on 10 beautiful acres in a relaxing area to allow the addict room and privacy while teaching and coaching the way to live drug free. At Narconon, we treat a person's entire life. An addict must heal their mind, body, and spirit to get back onto the right path in life. With a 78% success rate, our clients return to living healthy happy and productive lives within a thriving and loving support group. If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug addiction please contact one of our trained rehabilitation specialists at 1-877-394-1828.
