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                    How to Quit Heroin
   
   
   
                   
   
 

   
                   
How to Quit Heroin What is Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction is without a doubt, the worst drug addiction in the world. Heroin addiction is both physical and psychological slavery in the worst form possible.

Once a user becomes a heroin addict, they become a slave by default. They have to have it or else they'll become very sick and desperate. If that heroin doesn't hit those receptors in the brain soon then the user will begin to go into severe and painful withdrawal.

For an addict, heroin is the only cure.

A heroin addict can not function properly without heroin in their system unless he or she is on a mission to get their fix.

Then that's when the addict turns into a desperate James Bond and begins to plan and execute reckless missions in order to avoid withdrawal and feel normal.

Heroin is essentially a faster acting form of morphine which completely relieves painful H withdrawals within seconds.


No one decides they're going to become a heroin addict. That was not part of the plan. He or she may start off by experimenting with a friend.

They most likely start off snorting or smoking the drug. Soon after their first introduction of the drug into their system, they may become nauseous and vomit the first, second and even third time.
Girls smoke heroin too
You would think that this alone would be enough to deter them, but that's not the case.

They can then continue using heroin as an occasional past time and soon progress to weekend use. By this time, they learn not to eat before getting high in order to enjoy their high and avoid nausea and vomiting.

Then he/she may enjoy the high and will start using heroin every 2 to 3 days, then every other day, until one day, they start feeling strange without it.
 
                 



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                    How to Quit Heroin
The 'soon to be addict' wakes up one morning with cold chills running through his body and cant understand what's going on until he puts a new dope bag down in his system. Then all of a sudden, just like magic, the chills are gone in seconds. He feels normal once again. He is healed!

From their it begins. 1 bag per day. The once occasional weekend user is now beginning to become a heroin addict. Now he or she starts using every day, not because they want to, but because they have to in order to feel normal and to keep from getting sick. If they don't use then they'll become sick a.k.a “dope sick”.

If the user has been snorting or smoking only 1 to 2 $20 heroin bags per day for 1-2 months then they still have a good chance to quit heroin cold turkey with the help of family, drug-free friends and counseling. They will still go through serious withdrawal but only for a short time, meaning 7-10 days, then followed by mild flu symptoms for several days.

Once you past this stage, then you truly become a heroin addict. The user must have it or else. The first thoughts on the morning agenda are how to get that first bag, “the cure”, in order to feel normal. The 'rush' is a bonus. Their main concern is the cure.

Soon after that, snorting and smoking heroin just doesn't do the trick any longer. It helps them to feel normal and may give them a little buzz but that in itself is not enough.

Their body needs more. Their mind desires the true heroin high - the rush. And even though the snorter, smoker or dragon chaser have repeatedly told themselves that they would never shoot up, somehow, the opportunity to inject heroin arises. It could be through a friend, at the dope spot or just out of pure curiosity, but in time is happens more often than not.

The user now has a serious heroin addiction. The reason why I refer to it as a “serious heroin addiction” is because you have to be out of your mind to stick a needle in your arm every single day, several times per day. I know because I've been there myself 16 years ago. I used to always tell myself that I would never shoot up and stick a needle in my arm.

Then one day, after having gone a couple of weeks cold turkey, I returned to the dope city from which I was trying to escape. I quickly found myself with 2 of my closest dope-friends. They pulled out the dope-bags. I was waiting to snort mine until they said, “we don't sniff any more - we shoot it now”.

I said “oh my God, no way, that's crazy!”. Needless to say, I tried it and got hooked all over again. Shooting was a totally different high from snorting. I continued to shoot up every single day for a very long time. It was slavery to live in such a manner day in and day out.

Snorting heroin was no longer sufficient for me and could not match the rush one gets from injecting. It was a horrible nightmare. But I'm very thankful that those days are over! I am no longer a slave to heroin. I haven't touched the stuff in over 16 years.
 
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Many addicts continue to suffer the same horrific nightmare each and every day for many many years. Again, it's not because they want to, it's because they have to, or else they will get very, very sick and feel as if they were going to die, and they may come close.

Heroin addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain. Heroin literally changes the person from who they once were into an unpredictable and reckless addict. Many become criminal minded. Heroin produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence, which are powerful motivating factors for compulsive and every day use.

If the addict doesn't get their fix in time, if that heroin doesn't hit those opiate receptors soon, then the user will go into severe and painful withdrawal. Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include but are not limited to:
 
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Ice cold chills 
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Bone crushing leg pains (restless legs)
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Severe muscle cramps
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Painful stomach cramps
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Diarrhea
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Shaking and tremors
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Anxiety and panic
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Insomnia and restlessness
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Loss of appetite
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Watery eyes
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Runny nose
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Excessive yawning
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Extreme depression
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal and crying... crying for heroin
Going through heroin withdrawals
This is the reason why heroin addicts can not stop using heroin just like that. It's not that simple. A heroin addict knows very well that all withdrawal symptoms vanish within seconds once they get that heroin into their system. This is why relapse is a common occurrence.

No one wants to suffer death-like symptoms by choice. No one wants to feel as if they were going to die. This is the reason why parents, friends and loved ones of heroin addicts need to be patient, understanding, and long suffering towards the addict.
 
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                    How to Quit Heroin
Heroin addiction is why addicts gradually spend more and more time and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once you are addicted to heroin, your primary purpose in life becomes planning, seeking and using heroin regardless of how many people are hurt in the process. The heroin literally and chemically changes their brain function and behavior.

The once honest son, daughter, or decent young adult turns into a dishonest liar and a thief. An addict will not hesitate to lie, cheat and steal from their own mother.


I realize that this is not the case with every heroin addict and that there is such a thing as a functional addict yet both become very dishonest people deceiving all of those around them while the typical addict will lie, cheat and steal almost daily in order to support their heroin addiction and to avoid going into withdrawal.

Physical dependence develops with higher intake and every day use. With physical dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the heroin and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped, and in time intake must be increased.

Withdrawal may occur within a few hours after the last time the drug was taken. But I can assure you, withdrawal will occur. Heroin is an extremely dangerous drug and has been proven to be one of the most addictive, with heroin addicts relapsing more than with any other drug. It is important to spot heroin addiction in it's early stages.

For parents, friends and loved ones of heroin addicts, here are several common signs of heroin use and addiction:
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal One moment awake and the next moment drowsy   
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Signs of infections from the injections  
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Disoriented, dazed, poor mental functioning 
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal The user scratching his head and face
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Drowsiness and grogginess  
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Runny nose and watery eyes when in withdrawal 
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Slurred speech, slow talking and low toned voice
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Closed eyes, dropped head and constricted pupils
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Nausea and possible vomiting 
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Unkept appearance and careless hygiene
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Missing cash and valuable items
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Stealing and/or borrowing money
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Lying and deception all of the time
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Possession of unexplained valuable items 
 
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                    How to Quit Heroin
More common signs of heroin use and addiction:
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Droopy appearance, with they're mouths hanging open
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Signs of injection on the bending part of the arm, (some shoot it through other areas)
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Shallow and slow breathing
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Snorting hard as if to swallow their own mucus
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Using the same clothes day after day and skipping showers
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Making up detailed stories all of the time in order to obtain money
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Change in performance, academic and work
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Drug paraphernalia, aluminum foil, spoons, syringes, small white empty baggies
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Lethargy and apathy
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Flu like symptoms in the morning before they go out
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Change in friends from good friends to bad friends
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Little or no motivation to do anything other than getting high
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Ignores the consequences of their behaviors and actions
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Withdrawal from usual friends, family, activities, or other interests
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Eyes appear lost, droopy, dazed or as if in another world
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal No interest or desires in future plans
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Broken commitments and promises
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Hostility towards others and always in denial
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Unexplained absences from work, social events, or school
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Poor and careless self-image
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Girls, not caring to put make up on before going out
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Running away from home
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Difficulty in maintaining employment
    
Signs of a heroin addiction overdose include:
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Shallow breathing
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Pinpoint pupils
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Clammy skin
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Convulsions
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal Coma
 
 



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                    How to Quit Heroin
Again, major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose of heroin was taken and decrease after about 7-10 days. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal symptoms for many months. Heroin withdrawal is not fatal to otherwise healthy adults, but it can cause death to the fetus of a pregnant heroin addict.

A heroin addict will keep using the drug even though they are going through chaos in their life as the result. They cannot choose whether they are going to use or not. In their minds they have to use and that determination drives them to find ways of obtaining the drug. This need to use in order to keep from going into withdrawal becomes the driving force in their daily life. In many cases, the heroin addict will do anything to get their fix.

Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms were once believed to be the key features of heroin addiction. This may not be the case entirely, since craving and relapse can occur weeks and months after withdrawal symptoms are long gone. Because of this, counseling, meetings, and/or therapy is strongly recommended.

Heroin addiction is one of the most destructive and painful addictions in the world and has been rapidly increasing in North America, giving rise to alarm amongst the authorities and health professionals.

The rising epidemic of heroin addiction cuts across gender, class and race lines, making it harder to contain. The joy during the use of the drug and the painful feelings during withdrawal add to the rate of increase addiction versus successful addiction recovery numbers.

Heroin addiction remains one of the most complex and frustrating drug addictions in the world. Despite the upward battle in prevention and recovery, there are some positive gains in terms of awareness made towards discomforting heroin addiction.

Heroin, a dangerous and extremely addictive opiate continues to destroy millions of lives not only by means of addiction, but overdose and death as well.

Can heroin addiction really be conquered?

Yes it can! Although 'few there be' that quit heroin and stay clean, an addicts' strong heartfelt desire to quit heroin once and for all can eventually bring them to the place of actually becoming free from heroin for good. A variety of effective methods are available for heroin addiction.

Treatment tends to be more effective when heroin addiction is identified early. The treatments that follow vary depending on the individual. Quitting heroin cold turkey should always be Plan A, yet methadone, eliminates withdrawal symptoms, and has a proven record of success for getting heroin addicts off of the heroin. Yet getting them off of the methadone is another battle altogether. Thus Plan A.
 
                     


                   



















                    How to Quit Heroin
Please keep in mind that methadone is also a highly addictive drug and is much more difficult to come off of than heroin itself.

For this reason, it is best to use the methadone for no longer than 30-45 days while tapering down every 4 days. Methadone should only be used as a crutch in order to help get the addict off of the heroin and then weaned quickly from the methadone.

Doctors and clinics may tell you otherwise, but heroin addicts and x-addicts know better. No one wants to stay hooked on methadone forever.

Other pharmaceutical approaches, such as buprenorphine, and many behavioral therapies and counseling are also used for treating heroin addiction. Buprenorphine is a recent addition to the selection of medications now available for treating heroin addiction and addiction to other opiates.

Buprenorphine is different from methadone in that it offers less risk of addiction (so they say) and can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor's office although methadone tablets can also be prescribed in the same manner as well.

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is a combination drug product formulated to minimize abuse.

He/she can conquer heroin addiction and stay clean by implementing and executing any of the following plans accompanied by counseling, strong moral support and relapse prevention therapy (RPT) and especially having someone there always keeping an eye on them for many many months:

Plan A: Quitting Heroin Cold Turkey

Plan B: Quitting Heroin Warm Turkey with lesser evil opiates such as Valiums and Vicodins

Plan C: Quitting Heroin with Methadone and/or Suboxone

Plan D: Quitting Heroin in a Drug Rehabilitation Facility

Please explore this website for additional information on heroin, heroin addiction and quitting heroin once and for all. If I can do it, then you or your loved ones can do it too! Whatever you do, don't give up by any means and don't lose hope. Keep pressing on and keep moving forward!
 
How to Quit Heroin Cold Turkey
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