The abuse of heroin is an ongoing epidemic in the United States. People who abuse heroin begin their addiction journey with prescription pain medication after an illness or injury. Heroin is a synthetic opioid and provides a similar high to that created when you abuse prescription drug medication. As a more affordable alternative to prescription pain medication, heroin epidemic statistics continue to rise. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 15,000 people died as a result of a heroin overdose in 2017. This statistic has only increased in recent years, and since 2010, the number of heroin-related deaths increased by five times as much. Treatment programs that focus on providing heroin addiction treatment have continued to develop to meet this growing crisis.
Heroin Use Reaches All Income and Background Levels
The abuse of heroin does not discriminate. In 2015, 81,326 visits to the emergency room occurred because of unintentional heroin abuse or misuse. This rate is an estimated 26 out of every 100,000 people. The widespread use of prescription opiates has led to a significant rise in heroin addiction in the past ten years. With prescription laws becoming more regulated, the goal is to reverse this trend and improve heroin epidemic statistics. Heroin use has grown substantially in groups that are usually low risk for abusing, which include women, people with private health insurance, and those with higher income levels. It is a problem that is not going to go away without taking a serious look at the reasons why people become addicted to heroin in the first place.
Overcoming an Addiction to Heroin
With heroin epidemic statistics so staggering, it’s essential to take a look at your recovery options. Early intervention when you begin to abuse prescription pain medication can prevent an addiction to heroin in the first place. Once you start with heroin, finding the right treatment is necessary. Your brain becomes dependent on heroin, and trying to quit on your own is almost impossible. To overcome an addiction to heroin, you need:
- Support throughout your journey to detox and to learn more about the impact of addiction
- Positive reinforcement to help you stay motivated in your recovery
- A sense of purpose and hope that you are going to heal from your addiction
- Treatment that is focused on your specific needs as you learn about sobriety and your recovery
You can overcome a heroin addiction, but you have to decide to get the help you need. When you read heroin epidemic statistics, it’s time to decide that you don’t want to become one. Healing is possible, but you are the one that has the control
Your Journey of Sobriety
Every step you take in your recovery journey will lead you on the path of sobriety. As you learn about recovery, you will get a better understanding of the importance of support as you heal from your addiction. You can find help in a variety of ways, and it is the people who are also in recovery who are going to understand you the best. You can find support by:
- Going to 12-step meetings in the community and talking with others in recovery
- Seeing an individual therapist to talk about your recovery and what you need for support
- Getting a 12-step sponsor and starting the work of going through the 12 steps
- Engaging with others as a volunteer in your community
Each journey of sobriety is different, but it is easier when you have a team of support around you. Find people in your community that you trust. Then, you can begin to open up about what is going on in your life. When you talk to others, you will discover that you aren’t alone in your journey.
Take Your Life Back Starting Now
Stop letting drugs or alcohol control your life. If you need help with addiction, contact Atlantic Recovery Center at 1-866-824-5193. You can make a break from addiction when you call us for assistance.