Heroin use is something that we all need to be aware of in the United States.   The drug is highly addictive and can claim victims in places we wouldn’t think possible – including our children, our spouses and our friends.   Understanding the basics concerning heroin use can help us all find solutions when this dangerous opiate touches our lives.

Heroin Use Statistics

So what is the current state of heroin use in the United States?   Although overall heroin abuse numbers have dropped in recent years, the following statistics indicate that use of this dangerous drug is still a problem in our country.

Consider the following:

• Almost 30% of all high-school students surveyed reported that heroin is “easy to obtain”
• 3.8 million people in the United States over the age of 12 have reported trying heroin at least once
• Last year, almost 600,000 people in the United States used heroin
• The heroin use rate among prisoners in the Federal Prison System is as high as 25% (1 in 4 prisoners)

What Happens to People who Use Heroin?

There are a number of dangerous illicit drugs in the world, but few have the kinds of serious consequences that heroin carries with it.   In addition to developing a drug addiction (heroin is a highly addictive opiate), those who use heroin may also be exposing themselves to:

• HIV/AIDS.  Needle sharing among heroin users remains one of the biggest sources for the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• Hepatitis.   Much like HIV, several potentially deadly strands of hepatitis can easily be transmitted when IV heroin users decide to share the same needle (or use a dirty, discarded needle).
• Criminal activity.   Individuals who become addicted to heroin will do anything possible to obtain more of the drug, including engage in criminal activity such as robbery, prostitution or drug dealing.
• Neglecting family.   Anyone who has ever seen the movie Trainspotting has a good idea of how heroin addicts may treat their children.   When a parent becomes addicted to heroin, they will put everything in their lives on hold (including the people who rely on them the most) in order continue their use of the drug.

Treating Heroin Use and Addiction

Individuals who are addicted to heroin are almost always unable to stop on their own volition.   It takes professional help to break the cycle of heroin addiction.   In order to do so, an individual must take part in a drug rehab program that understand heroin addicted.   These life-saving programs address both the physical and psychological addiction to heroin so that the recovering addict not only stops using, but knows how to stay clean for the rest of their life.