Drug Treatment

In the mid to late 1800’s, opium was a fairly popular drug on the market. It was the drug of trade and it was even more popular than alcohol. Opium dens sprung up all over and it became a serious problem. The addictive effects became unbearable. By 1874 to a new wonder drug called Heroin was invented to ease those who became addicted to morphine which is a derivative of opium. Heroin was believed to be a safe and non-addictive substitute for morphine. They were wrong and the heroin addict was born and has been present ever since. Heroin (Diacetylmorphine) is by far one of the most addictive drugs on the market. Treatment for the addiction can be effective when combined with medication compliance programs and behavioral therapy.
The first step to treatment is often a heroin detox center. In these treatment centers, the individual goes through the withdrawal process in a medically supervised environment. Heroin withdrawal is a miserable experience, although usually not life-threatening. Withdrawal symptoms can start between five to six hours after the last hit. They can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, chills and joint pains. Once a person injects these symptoms disappear.
In addition to the heroin treatment center’s there are methadone clinics which take a slower process. The methadone ritual takes only 10 minutes about seven days a week to stand in line for a swallow of bitter red syrup that will ward off the pain of heroin withdrawal for another 24 hours. This treatment is pure narcotic and is addictive but, when given in a small dose it doesn’t produce hallucinogenic effects. Side effects include loss of appetite, suppression of sex drive, constipation and sweating.
However with the many treatment centers it is highly recommended that individuals enroll themselves into a rehab program after going thru detox. Having a consular to monitor your on going progress is an important step to recovery. Residential treatment centers with a sober living