ABUSE MAGAZINE
Photo source: easyread.drugabuse.gov
Photo source: easyread.drugabuse.gov
Some users combine heroin with other
drugs, especially cocaine, and this can
result in other effects.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse
(NIDA) reported in 1977 (and there is no
particular reason to doubt that remains
true), that the addictive power of heroin
and its use among those in their teens and
early 20s often leads to an end to their
education and delays their entry into work,
marriage, higher education, entering the
military, and other activities that their
peers are undertaking - accomplishments
that are, the study points out, difficult to
“make up” later, thus creating a wide range
of long-term effects.
Teen Heroin Use Warning
Signs
Those who are addicted to heroin may
need to have frequent access to it (three
times a day is typical), so they may make
excuses for having to be by themselves
frequently. After a dose, they may show
signs of sedation, such as a slowed, shuffling gait or nodding off. They may need
extra money to support their habit. If they
do not or are unable to continue use, they
may exhibit heroin withdrawal symptoms,
including severe stomach aches, muscle
cramps, and other symptoms that are similar to the flu. Since contaminated syringes
can lead to Hepatitis C or HIV, is injection is
the method of use, symptoms of these two
illnesses may also be seen.
Teen Heroin Use Treatment
The treatment for teen heroin use
incudes assistance with withdrawal as well
as treatment for the addiction. Treatment
may involve initial residency at a detox
center, but following this, either a residential program or outpatient treatment may
be appropriate. A variety of medications
may be used (such as antidepressants, on
the one hand, and methadone, suboxone,
or buprenorphine, on the other), as well as
therapy, for example Narcotics Anonymous
and other 12-step approaches, Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and/or contingency management therapy.
Although there are not statistics,
research has shown that drug abuse in teens
may be linked to depression, and experts
suggest that any teen treated for substance
abuse be screened for depression and
treated for it concomitantly if necessary.
217-384-0500
502 E. John
Champaign, IL
“We are proud to be a drug free
workplace and proud to support
our future leaders in their efforts
to remain drug free. We care and
we get involved.”
217-384-0072
32001 Farber Drive • Champaign, IL
We are proud to be a drug free
workplace and proud to support
our future leaders in their efforts to
remain drug free.
We care and we get involved!
abusemagazine.org | Illinois Winter 2014 |
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