Battling Heroin Addiction

Every day, thousands across the country are fighting a dangerous fight - the fight against heroin addiction. While methadone clinics around the country have given many a chance to stop using this dangerous drug, many do not have access to these clinics; or simply replace their addiction to heroin with an addiction to methadone.

Heroin addiction does not only affect the poor. Many associate heroin addiction with the homeless, or with those living in less than desirable conditions. But the sad truth of the matter is that heroin addiction can affect anyone - regardless of age, or position in life. A lawyer can just as easily become addicted to this deadly substance as a young woman living in the local projects. Addiction knows no boundaries, and can strike at anyone; but with the proper attention, it can be beaten.

Drug Rehabilitation

The first step in battling heroin addiction is through professional drug rehabilitation. It is virtually impossible to combat this terrible addiction without professional help. If you are fighting an addiction to heroin, you should first check yourself into a rehab program. Do not let your financial situation, regardless of what it may be, stop you from getting professional help. There are many rehabilitation clinics that offer programs for those with little or no income; and state medical programs often cover this type of treatment.

Depending on your level of heroin addiction, your stay in a drub rehabilitation program will last anywhere from thirty to ninety days. Typically, methadone is administered in increasingly smaller doses, so as to wean your body gradually off of the drug. For some, however, it may be necessary to go through a complete and rapid detoxification process, in order to get the drug out of your system completely. There are several schools of thought on which type of detoxification works best; but the fact remains that heroin addiction is a deadly and dangerous habit.

Support

Even after you have completed a drug rehabilitation program, heroin addiction will be a daily battle. You must own your addiction, and make the conscious choice to not give into the cravings. It is much easier to do this if you have a healthy support system in place before you get out of your rehabilitation program. Family and friends are a great comfort, as long as they were not enabling your addiction prior to rehabilitation; and there are countless support groups available, such as Narcotics Anonymous, where you can find daily support from those who are just like you.

Whatever you choose to do, the fact that you can admit that you have a heroin addiction is the first step toward overcoming that addiction. Take whatever steps you can to fight this deadly drug - your family, your friends, and your very life will be changed for the best when you can overcome a heroin addiction.