Main l How to Quit Heroin l How to Quit Heroin Cold Turkey l How to Survive the First 7 Days l Real Testimonies l Contact Me         Explore this site: Main What is Heroin What is Heroin Addiction How to Quit Heroin How to Get Yourself to Quit How to Quit Heroin Cold Turkey How to Survive the First 7 Days How to Quit Heroin with Meds How to Quit Heroin in Rehab Quitting Heroin with Suboxone Quitting Heroin by Relocating Quitting Heroin While Pregnant How to Stay Clean for Good How to Fix Your Life Pt.1 How to Fix Your Life Pt.2 How to Fix Your Life Pt.3 Helping Your Child Quit Heroin Helping Your Man Quit Heroin How to Know if He’s Still Using Real Testimonies Pt.1 Real Testimonies Pt.2 Contact me Donate More to come...                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     What is Heroin Addiction Heroin addiction is without a doubt, the absolute worst drug addiction in the world. Heroin addiction is both physical and psychological slavery in the worst form possible. Once the user becomes a heroin addict, they become a slave by default. They have to have it or else they'll become very, very ill, as if they were going to die. 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. And he or she can not function properly without heroin in their system unless the addict 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 get high and avoid going into withdrawals. Heroin is essentially a faster acting form of morphine which relieves painful heroin withdrawals symptoms completely and within seconds. No one decides they're going to become a heroin addict. That was not part of the plan. They may have started off by experimenting with a friend by snorting or smoking the drug. After their first introduction of the drug into their system, they may become nauseous and vomit the first, second and even third time because their body simply couldn’t handle it. You would think that this alone would be enough to deter them, but that was not the case. They may 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 or she may enjoy the high and will start using heroin every 2 to 3 days, then every other day, until one day, they wake up and start feeling strange without it. 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 into his system. And then all of a sudden, just like magic, the chills and pains are gone within seconds. He feels normal once again and he’s healed! From there it begins, 1 bag per day. The once occasional weekend user is now beginning to become a heroin addict. Then 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, they'll become very ill which is also known as getting “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’ll still go through serious withdrawals but only for a short time, meaning 7-10 days, then followed by mild flu symptoms for several days. Yet once you past this stage, then you truly become a heroin addict. The user must have it or else. Their 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 so that they wont get sick. Soon after that, snorting and smoking heroin just doesn't satisfy any longer. It helps them to feel normal and may give them a good high 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 or smoker has repeatedly told themselves that they would never shoot up, somehow, the opportunity to inject heroin presents itself. And if it hasn't yet, then it will happen someday. It could be through a friend, at the dope spot or just out of pure curiosity, but in time it 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 18 years ago. I used to always tell myself that I would never shoot up and stick a needle in my arm. That’s for junkies. 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 and I was waiting to sniff 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 worst than ever before. Shooting up was a totally different high from snorting. And 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 dirty lifestyle and a horrible nightmare for sure. But I'm very thankful that those days are long gone! I'm no longer a slave to heroin. I haven't touched the stuff in over 18 years and I will never touch that, or any other drug ever again! 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’ll get sick and feel as if they were going to die, and may come close to doing so. They become a slave to heroin, programmed to seek and use heroin no matter what they have to do or who they have hurt in the process. Heroin addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain. Their manner of thinking actually changes drastically. In other words, heroin literally changes the person from who they once were into an unpredictable and reckless addict. And many heroin addicts become criminal minded as well. Heroin produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence as well, which become powerful motivating factors for compulsive and every day use. If the addict doesn't get their fix in time, and that heroin doesn't hit those receptors soon, then the user will go into severe and painful withdrawal. Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:   Ice cold chills  Bone crushing leg pains Restless leg syndrome Severe muscle cramps Painful stomach cramps Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Shaking and trembling Anxiety and panic attacks Insomnia and restlessness Loss of appetite Watery eyes Runny nose Excessive yawning Extreme depression and crying... crying for heroin   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 happens so often. This is not just some horrible flu. A flu is no comparison. No one wants to feel as if they were going to die. This is the reason why parents and loved ones of heroin addicts need to be patient, understanding, and long suffering towards the addict. Furthermore, the addict is not in their right mind at the moment. Heroin addiction is why addicts gradually spend more and more time and energy obtaining and using the drug. Once you’re 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 alters their brain function and behavior which causes them to do the unthinkable in order to get cured. The once honest son, daughter or decent adult turns into a dishonest liar and a thief. And an addict will not hesitate to lie, cheat and steal from their own mother as well. Their brains become hardwired to get that fix by all means necessary. I realize that this may not be the case with every heroin addict and that there is such a thing as a functioning addict yet both become dishonest, deceiving all 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 severe withdrawal. In time, physical dependence develops with higher intake and every day use. With physical dependence, (physical addiction), the body adapts to the presence of heroin and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced or stopped. Furthermore, 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 in the world. It is important to spot heroin addiction in its early stages in order to get help to the individual. For parents, friends and loved ones of heroin addicts, the following are several common signs of heroin use and addiction to watch for:   One moment they're awake and the next moment drowsy    They can even fall asleep at the dinner table Signs of infections from the injections Disoriented, dazed, poor mental functioning  The user scratching his head and face Drowsiness and grogginess   Runny nose and watery eyes when in withdrawal  Slurred speech, slow talking and low toned voice Closed eyes, dropped head and constricted pupils Nausea and possible vomiting  Unkept appearance and careless hygiene Missing cash and valuable items Stealing and/or borrowing money Lying and deception all of the time Possession of unexplained valuable items        More common signs of heroin use and addiction: Droopy appearance, with their mouths hanging open Signs of injection on the bending part of the arm, and other parts on their body Shallow and slow breathing Snorting hard as if to swallow their own mucus Using the same clothes day after day and skipping showers Making up detailed stories all of the time in order to obtain money Change in performance, academic and work Drug paraphernalia, aluminum foil, spoons, syringes, cotton balls, balloons, white empty baggies Lethargy and apathy Flu like symptoms in the morning before they go out Change in friends from good friends to bad friends Little or no motivation to do anything other than to get high Ignores the consequences of their actions and behavior Withdrawal from usual friends, family, activities, or other interests Eyes appear lost, droopy, dazed as if they were in another world No interest or desires in future plans Broken commitments and promises Hostility towards others and always in denial Unexplained absences from work, social events, or school Poor and careless self-image Girls, not caring to put make up on before going out Running away from home Difficulty in maintaining employment      Signs of a heroin addiction overdose include: Shallow breathing Pinpoint pupils Clammy skin Convulsions Coma   The withdrawal symptoms mentioned above peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose of heroin was taken and will decrease after about 7-10 days. However, some people in poor health 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’re going through chaos in their life as the result of their heroin addiction. They cannot choose whether they’re going to use or not. In their minds they have to use and that determination drives them to find ways to obtain the drug. This need to use in order to keep from going into withdrawal becomes the driving force in their daily life. And in many cases, the heroin addict will do anything to get their fix - anything. Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms were once believed to be the main reasons for heroin addiction. Yet this may not be the case entirely, since craving and relapse can occur weeks and even months after withdrawal symptoms are long gone. And because of this, counseling, meetings, and/or therapy are strongly recommended. Relocation may also become a last resort as well. Heroin addiction is one of the most destructive drug 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 increased addiction versus successful addiction recovery numbers. And to experts, heroin addiction remains one of the most complex and frustrating drug addictions in the medical field. But despite the upward battle in prevention and recovery, there are some positive gains in terms of awareness made towards heroin addiction. Heroin, a dangerous and extremely addictive opiate continues to destroy millions of lives not only by means of addiction, but by overdose and death as well. Can heroin addiction really be conquered? Yes it can! Although 'few there be' that quit heroin and stay clean for good, an addicts' strong determination and heartfelt desire to quit can eventually bring them to the place of actually becoming free from heroin once and for all. A variety of effective methods are available for heroin addiction. And treatment tends to be more effective when heroin addiction is identified early. Quitting heroin cold turkey should always be Plan A and sometimes becomes the only option for most addicts who are not able to obtain other types of medications such as methadone, which eliminates withdrawal symptoms, and has been proven to keep heroin addicts off of heroin. Other pharmaceutical approaches, such as Suboxone, Subutex, Buprenorphine and behavioral therapy are also used for treating heroin addiction. Buprenorphine is a recent addition to the line of medications now available for treating heroin addiction and addiction to other evil opiates. This medication is different from methadone in that it offers less risk of addiction, when used as a crutch, and can be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor's office. Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) is a combination drug product formulated to minimize abuse as well. He/she can conquer heroin addiction and stay clean for good by implementing and executing any of the following plans accompanied by counseling, strong moral support and relapse prevention therapy (RPT): Plan A: Quitting Heroin Cold Turkey Plan B: Quitting Heroin Warm Turkey with lesser evil pharmaceutical drugs Plan C: Quitting Heroin with Methadone or Suboxone Plan D: Quitting Heroin in a Drug Rehabilitation Center Please explore this website for additional information on heroin, heroin addiction and how to quit heroin once and for all. If I can do it, then you or your loved ones can do it too! No matter what, don't give up by any means and don't lose hope. Keep pressing on and keep moving forward.         Main l How to Quit Heroin l How to Quit Heroin Cold Turkey l How to Survive the First 7 Days l Real Testimonies l Contact Me            Copyright 2008-2012 HowtoQuitHeroin.com info@howtoquitheroin.com