Back in July 7, 2015, Liz Szabo of USA Today, reported that more women (two times more in the last 10 years)  and more people in the middle class are using heroin.

It has been suggested that prescription drugs such as Percocets, Oxycontin, and Vicodin have been over prescribed. Because of the epidemic in addiction to these drugs, Doctors have been encouraged to stop prescribing them as readily.

This then causes an issue for the patients. Because of the addiction to the drugs, or the unresolved pain the drugs were prescribed to take care of, many patients have looked to the drug dealers on the street for their source of supply.

The cost of these drugs on the street per milligram can be quite exorbitant. Unbelievably, heroin in some parts can be purchased for as low as $6 a bag. At these prices heroin can be seen as being quite affordable. Sadly, at these prices kids can be tempted to purchase them, and many have.

Because of the purity of the heroin, initially it can be snorted, and/or smoked. But as the addiction takes hold the addict may in all probability start injecting to get the quickest high. As the user chases the feeling of the high, it will take more and more bags to accomplish this.

One person told me that she was using $500 of heroin a day, at roughly $25 per bag. At $500 a day, she was lying, stealing, and taking part in other illicit activities to get the money she needed.

Learn2Cope.org has this to say:

Long-term heroin usage quickly becomes a slippery slope to developing brain disease. Long-term drug use causes profound changes in brain structure and function that result in uncontrollable compulsive drug craving, seeking and use.

The changes in brain function and structure that occur with drug use persist long after drug use is stopped. “Cure” is therefore not necessarily an attainable or appropriate goal.

What Are Some Realistic Expectations For Substance Abuse Treatment?

“Recovery” from drug addiction is a dynamic, long-term process. Often people make many treatment attempts before staying in recovery.

Research has shown treatment that addresses many areas of a person’s life can help individuals reduce or stop using drugs, and can greatly improve their functioning in the family, at work, and in society.

Substance abuse treatment can be as effective as treatments for other chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.

Who does heroin affect?:

Heroin can affect anyone. You cannot tell by looking at people anymore as to who the heroin addicts are. There has been an increase of 62.5 % among those who have private insurance. Those suffering from heroin addiction come from all walks of life now.

What can be done about it, is there hope?:

First and foremost, there is always hope in God! There is nothing that is impossible for Him. I’ve heard testimonies from others saying that the Lord has taken away their urging from their addictions.

But faith must be exercised for this, which can at times seem to be quite illusive for some. Which can make things very frustrating for the seeker, and for those praying for him or her. But that doesn’t mean we should give up hope!

Secondly in parallel with seeking the Lord, seek help from organizations that serve the community in this regard. For those here in Massachusetts, look up organizations like Learn To Cope. This is a peer led organization that has groups meeting in various locations in the State. They can inform you on what to do, where the resources are, and even provide Naloxone an opioid inhibitor, should a loved one loose conscientiousness due to an overdose, which becomes quite scary.

Just know that for people struggling with heroin addiction, this is not a one hundred yard dash, and then we’re done with it. This now becomes a marathon, with relapses seemingly commonplace, before long term recovery is attainable, which of course is the goal.