Heroin; do you know how bad it is, all over?

[Justacatlady]

It seems sureal when I think of the first time I heard it. My mother told me "your brother is addicted to heroin". You don't think it will be a big deal. He will get help and then life will go back to normal. Right? Wrong, so very wrong.

These are the statistics of heroin use in America from 2002 to 2013. With the thousands that are affected by this, you would think it would be in the media more. That there would be more awareness, but sadly what celebrities do and what they wear take presidence over things of this nature.

My brother has been to rehab four times. He has currently been sober for 8 months. He has a full time job. Every day I am still scared. I wonder if this will be the day I get that phone call. Will this be the day he puts that needle in and never comes back?

In 2013 there were 43,982 overdoses in America, and 6,235 deaths. This drug takes hold of its victims and never lets go. It is a lifelong battle. It changes the chemistry of the brain. It mimics endorphins and makes the body think it needs it to feel normal. It affects the receptors in the brain that control pain relief. That is why there is a physical withdrawl when a user stops using the drug.

These are just some more statistics:

A 2003 national survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that at least 3.7 million Americans had used heroin in their lifetime.
The same study revealed that 314,000 Americans had used heroin in the year prior to the survey, with 281,000 seeking treatment services.
In 2002, heroin accounted for 93,519 emergency department visits according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network’s annual survey, as reported by the NIDA article.
In 2010, heroin accounted for 224,706 emergency department visits according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network’s annual survey.

They have rehab facilities, but as with my brother. There is never a one time visit and you are fixed. I will attach one link to a fathers obituary for his 24 year old daughter.

https://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/28891867/father-writes

The hardest part of recovery is trust. Watching from the sidelines on a daily basis, praying that "this time" they will get better... Telling yourself "they looked good today...I have some peace of mind... today they are safe...today they won't hurt themselves" The worry of relapse or OD never goes away - this drug is real and it kills...the star football player, the honor roll student, the emo kid, the stoner...heroin doesn't have a type...heroin likes everyone.

[bloodmountain1990]

This needs to be promoted as much as possible. I had 2 friends overdose on heroin. One died but one survived. I also had a date with a girl who was in rehab for heroin (didn't find out until the date). While I have never used (nor would I ever), I can tell you the addiction is very strong and has one of the worst withdrawals.

When you're addicted to heavy shit like this, you'll do anything you can to get it, whether it's lying or stealing to get your fix and he sad part is you can an addict how bad heroin is but they won't quit unless THEY want to themselves.

What's really tough is you have to cut them off unless you get an intervention for them because one of two things can happen. If you're with them and they're carrying, you can get arrested or if you're with them and their dealer and shit happens, their dealer may come after you just because you're associated with them.

That being said, I think they should give people using heroin or any hard drug rehab instead of jail time. The dealers can be punished but when users go to jail, they're not learning from their mistake. It's only taught people how to be more efficient users and once they get out, they end up using it again and end up in jail again or dead.

I feel like heroin, cocaine, meth, and other hard drug users give people who just smoke weed a bad rep.

[Justacatlady]

First let me say how deeply sorry it is to hear about your friends. It is never easy to lose someone especially to something like this
My brother went to jail and he said it was easier in there to get drugs then it is on the street and its the same quality or better. How is that a good thing?
And you are so right about them needing to make the decision. The first time he went to rehab, it was not his choice and less than a month after he was done he was using again. It is a rotten cycle, that is terrible to break.
Thank you for your comment

[bloodmountain1990]

Thank you as well. Sorry to hear about your brother. I hope he's ok and back on the right path.

Having a family member, friend or SO addicted to hard drugs is a tough situation. What's even worse is when an addict lies to you after you call them out, making it seem like you're guilty. My friend who survived the OD was honest about it but the one who died lied even after I called him out on the obvious signs. I got some crazy stories involving him and the subject matter to share after I get off work.

[LauraW]

Hi

I have basically had the same experience with my brothe. He had got so bad he lost custody of his two kids and didn't even seem to care he was so preoccupied with his addiction. He then got caused of man slaughter by some junkie with a grudge against him and he spent three years in a remand prison waiting for a trial where he was found innocen. He than came out turned straight back to drugs and has tried killing himself twice in the last year.
I think the only way to protect yourself from it is to distance yourself from him and keep your mind busy with friends and activities and just try not to think about it, cause in my experience there is nothing you can do to stop then from going back to drugs if they want to. Maybe after he's been clean over a year try reconnecting with him then and convince yourself the drug abuse is in the past and just be hopeful and give him the benefit of the doubt. There is no point in upsetting yourself by being worried over something that is out of your control, and just remind yourself you've the strength to get through it if he relapses. I hope this helps and I hope your brother continues to stay clean

[Justacatlady]

I don't live close, and at this point I would not distance myself any more. He is handling it very well and it hasn't caused me any problems. I want to support him right now as far as talking and letting him talk. I give him no money, only support. He needs people right now, but I understand that with your brother, things were different. I am sorry your brother got so bad.

[GirlsLie]

My sister is a meth addict and it's horrible, i've pretty much given up on her. Myself and my family have tried everything we can think of to help her and nothing works, she has two children and she lives with my parents with them and she leaves for weeks/months at a time to go do drugs.

I used to try to help her, be understanding and non judgmental but when I see what she does and how she treats my niece and nephew and how it effects them, I can't help but have no respect for her anymore.

It's been this way for almost 10 years off and on, ever since she was a teenager and I feel like it just comes a point with some drug addicts with you just give up hope that they will change.

[Justacatlady]

Had she been to rehab?

[GirlsLie]

Yes, multiple times, she's been to rehab and she always leaves, we even paid for her to go to the meth clinic recently for about a month she did ok with it but then she left and went back completely on drugs again, i've brought/paid for her to go to multiple counselors. I have no idea what else to do at this point honestly.

[Justacatlady]

I am very sorry you have to deal with that. Are you talking to someone? A counselor or therapist?

[TheOnethe1]

@GirlsLie Why do Americans use so much drug? Is it a diease or a thing like obsession?

[GirlsLie]

No, I don't really need it. I've done all I can with the situation and at some point you have to just accept that people will be how they are and they won't change until they're ready to.

[Justacatlady]

Indeed. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it works out for the best.

[GirlsLie]

I'm not sure, I think it's a lot to do with their environment as well, where i'm from drugs are everywhere. I hardly know anyone who isn't addicted to something where I live, it's a shame.

[GirlsLie]

That last reply was @TheOnethe1 by the way, sorry.

[GirlsLie]

Thank you @Justacatlady I hope the same for you :)

[Ped1981]

Any addictive behaviour is symptomatic of the times we live in. People feel like they're trapped and slaves to big governments and business. The whole world reeks like a latrine these days. Wanker in suits want to fleece you for as much as possible and if you go against their system of exploitation then your a traitor. People are powerless coz we're intentionally fractured to keep us from forming a majority. When your powerless you'll turn to anything to numb the emptiness inside. This world is a hellhole full of desperate people with no purpose other than to be the plaything of greedy soulless bastards

[Justacatlady]

Indeed, of all the systems in the world humans are the only ones that fight against evaluation. We don't work with the world around us, we use it all up, spit out whats left and move on. Its a shame that some feel the need to escape into that drug laden solitude just to find a little happiness.
Thank you for reading.

[Ped1981]

It's total exploitation in this day and age. We're all slaves. We just can't see the fences. You dance to the tune of big business. They hypnotise you through subliminal adverts to be devoted to their brands. Everything on tv, radio and in newspapers is all biased bulshit to shape you opinion. A lot of people can't tell you what's wrong but they can sense it on a fundemental level and it's depressing them enough to turn to pills and drink. There's no freedom that's an illusion.

[jacquesvol]

I once had a friend. He first tried weed, then coke, then H. Then anything he could get his hands on, heroine included. Last time I saw him, he was on his bed, as dead as a doornail, his mom and his wife quarreling near the body about who of them should have stopped him. I had to comfort his wife when his mom got really mean.

The time before that he was openly sniffing 'something' (in a restaurant!)
He stole a lot of things to pay his shit. From me too.
By luck or because of the drugs he couldn't get it up any longer since quite a time. Thus there wasn't a child to suffer.
His widow restarted her life in Canada. I had to send her some money.

[jacquesvol]

He had been to rehab, they cut off his supply. He went cold turkey, of course. His mom and wife couldn't support seeing that, thus they signed his release. Those dumb pitying women...

[Justacatlady]

That is tragic and I am sorry you had to deal with that.

[jacquesvol]

I got a phone call at 7 am from his wife and drove 30 miles... there he lay.

[Justacatlady]

That is the phone call I don't ever want to get
Thank you for taking the time to post your story.

[jacquesvol]

It was ghastly. :-(

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing this. Addiction makes me very sad. I hope your brother stays with his recovery. People with emotional support do tend to be better off, from what I've read, even though they have to decide to stick with it and find a new normal that works.

I've known so many people battling substance abuse problems. Several cousins have been to prison for meth related crimes and it breaks my heart seeing how destroyed they are. Legal drugs aren't taken seriously enough either. My sister died of an accidental OD of painkillers and she wasn't even really an addict - just using too carelessly for medical issues. I hope for healing for everyone effected by drug use and that we can get a handle on what's going on in our communities.

[Justacatlady]

I am so sorry for you lose. Thank you for reading. I do hope that eventually the substance abuse in this country gets better so families don't have to go through this.

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you. I do too - I wish I knew how to help. :|

[SavageNick87]

I personally understand what ur going through. I live in an area of the US that is currently going through an epidemic with heroin & opiates. a lot of people I know have died because of this and it truly is heartbreaking. Hoping your brother gets clean man.

[Justacatlady]

Thank you

[Starfishlover]

I am sorry to say this but if someone is that stupid to get onto drugs in the first place, then they deserve any consequences coming to them. They should appreciate their life and their good health! No problem is big enough for this and people should stop being utter pussies, finding crutches for everything!

[thesunstillshines]

Sometimes people are at the lowest in their life

[Starfishlover]

I have had the lowest of the lowest in my life. I never use any excuses and just get back out there. Many people are worse off and those idiots just lose their health with drugs? Sorry, I am extremely passionate about this.

[Justacatlady]

My brother wasn't at a low point when he started actually. And everyone has a crutch. Whether it be drugs, your coffee in the morning, the clothing or accessory you can't live without.
Have you ever done any drug or drank alcohol? It wasn't like he set out to be an addict. If it was as easy as you say, and people could just stop being utter pussies, would there be this many people with the problem. Your attitude will never help anyone. I am glad you are perfect and have no problems.

[GoBlue2015]

This is the most ignorant comment I have read thus far- perhaps you should rethink your grammar... oh and your pitiful excuse for an opinion/argument. Its totally apparent that you are young, immature and clueless to some of the bleak realities of life. Stay in school- while you are at check out a debate team so you can join a forum and voice an opinion with some intelligence

[yofuknutz]

I think the response is people cannot get health care for cancer but these mindless drug addicts will clog about streets public transit are able to get rehab and it sucks and it doesn't work anyway

[SirenDep]

We should raise awareness about why drugs are harmful..
Some people think there's nothing wrong if you try once. Not true! Just by trying one time, you can get addicted, you can die if you take too much, or combined drugs or bad quality drugs. You can get hepatitis or aids from a used syringe or police might catch you.

[Justacatlady]

Indeed. Thank you for reading and hopefully we can educate the populace on these things

[dogbert777]

Just read comments below. I think it's like kicking any habit, alcohol, smoking whatever. The craving never really goes, but as time goes on you learn more ways of controlling it. Must be like losing a parent or child, too. The hurt never goes completely. You just learn to live with it.
I hope it continues to go the right way. I will always be thinking of you.

[Justacatlady]

Thank you my friend

[dogbert777]

You are always most welcome!!

[soberpiper]

Good morning Justa,

My younger sister had a friend of 25 years who died of a heroine overdose at age 32. Beautiful young women who knew our family for years. Its a scary addiction and one that is indeed hard to overcome. I do hope your brother gets well.

[Justacatlady]

Thank you. He is doing well for now, but it will always be a battle for him to stay sober and not let the drug back into his life.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this :-)

[soberpiper]

Of course.

[TripleAce]

It's bad for sure, but there are worse drugs out there such as meth

From what I know people only quit, like really quit for good when they now have something to quit for... if that switch doesn't flick on, it will be very hard for one to stop using

[Justacatlady]

Most addicts need to find something to cling to. To give them a reason to not want to escape reality.
Thanks for reading

[fuuuark]

I am an intoxication addict, i have never tried heroin but have been on meth, codeine (cocaine, weed, acid you name it) and a number of otc drugs that are more dangerous than most illegal recreational drugs, be it sex, masturbation or drugs, i hate sobriety and i fear i will never change. I don't have a favourite poison, just intoxication in general. Heroin, Fentanyl (fully synthetic heroin) , and opiate derivatives are the most addictive though.

[fuuuark]

fentanyl makes heroin look like codeine, it is much harder to get than heroin though.

[Justacatlady]

Do you want to stop?

[fuuuark]

No, not really

[Justacatlady]

Well, I hope that if it starts effecting your life or your health, that you seek help.

[Scrambled]

When I read that heroin created false endorphins and gave one flat effect, u actually wanted to seek it out. I would do anything to kill my pain. But my psychologist talked me out of it. I'm still a bit of an alcoholic. Beer kills the pain a bit.

[Justacatlady]

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I am sorry for your struggle. I am glad your therapist talked you out of it. My brothers best friend kicked his heroin habit with alcohol, but then had to deal with that problem afterwards. I hope you have a good support network and if ever you need to talk I will gladly listen

[Scrambled]

Thanks. I'm finding that simplifying my life is starting to work out and gyming helps me. Been a long road. But still fall sometimes into a beer binge.

[martyfellow]

Yes, you can't really help people who aren't up to the stresses and injustices they face in modern life. Most people never really recover...

But some do. Best of luck to you.

[Justacatlady]

Thank you and thank you for taking the time to read this

[martyfellow]

Wish I could help more.

[Margo7]

This is an important take. My hometown has major problems with drug abuse and trafficking, especially heroin. It's a really sad situation to see in a place you call home.

[Justacatlady]

Yes and the lack of education in people is concerning. Most people don't think it will ever effect them, I was the same until my brother. Thank you for taking the time to read this

[sid312]

These dr aren't helping the problem with all the pain pills. and when people are strung out on the pills and can't afford them they turn to herion which is stronger and cheaper.

[Justacatlady]

Indeed. But with doctors getting incentives for writing those prescriptions it won't stop. Sadly

[26ukdude]

My brother was addicted to it, he never injected he said, he smoked it mainly. I know what it does to families first hand and I was living in the same house as him.

[Justacatlady]

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope your brother is okay now.

[Unit1]

For me it seems like drug addicted people are only happy for as long as they are stoned. Everything else is of no meaning, no purpose, no existence... I guess. That's all what counts for them.

Just my observation.

[Justacatlady]

As I don't have my own experience with addiction I can only say that when my brother was doing it. He said almost exactly that. You live and do what you can to get to the next fix. You forget how to find joy in anything except the drug. It is the only thing that matters. For myself, I can't imagine a life like that. Sober he doesn't feel that way but he still fights the urge to go back to it

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Thank you for sharing this with us my cousin
was one so i know what you mean i wish you
all the best and i hope your brother stays well

[Justacatlady]

Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to read this :-)

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Your very welcome :) :D

[astatine]

That is sad... all it takes is a whiff to ruin one's life

[Justacatlady]

Indeed. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[astatine]

You're welcome!

[JackKerouac77]

Damn, son. At least if they were addicted to weed they'd never overdose. They'd just never leave their couch.

[Justacatlady]

Indeed, of all drug statistics I think that is the only one that hasn't had a person OD on it

[JackKerouac77]

It's impossible to OD on marijuana