Drug Overdoses

Withdrawals symptoms of heroin are harsh and can make some fear stopping. Drugs like methadone and Suboxone and Buprenorphine are used to help battle and overcome addiction. These medicines are to help block the receptors in the brain so no physical symptoms are prevented and reduce the cravings. If these medicines are taking correctly, it can help addicts function normally. These treatments need to be maintained and supervised. Although for use of these medicines, you need to be withdrawing off heroin, it will help the ease of the rest the existing withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawing of heroin is painful and intense. Users begin to experience withdrawal symptoms within 12 hours of their last use. Heroin leaves the body faster than most other drugs and that is why withdrawals are more intense.

Symptoms include, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, agitation, diarrhea, dilated pupils, sweating, anxiety, abdominal cramping, and muscle aches. While the symptoms are intense, then the length of withdrawals depends on many factors. Depending on how much you use and how often affects the withdrawal symptoms. The effects of moods and behaviors can last for months even when withdrawal symptoms pass. Some long-lasting symptoms might include anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, and irritability. It usually takes about a week to go through withdrawals physically because of the effects of heroin withdrawal, it leads to a relapse at times. With the increasing epidemic, the public and government began to become concerned. Naloxone has been made to help with the survival of overdoses on heroin. Today, a number of people have accessibility to Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication that reverses an opioid overdose. It's an antagonist, that blocks receptors and reverse the effects of opioids. It can quickly restore a person back to response. There are three forms that Naloxone is available in. They are injectable, auto-injectable and a nasal spray. Depending on the state you live in, depends on who can dispense Naloxone. Here in NYS, Naloxone is extremely safe and people should be observed for at least 2 hours after its dispensed. Heroin for decades has been the most commonly used opioid illegally. The supply in the US has soared and death rates have increased. Drug overdoses are now today's leading cause of accidental death. Reducing heroin addiction and overdoses, public awareness and support, emergency medical departments, and medical doctors to work together. There should be more access to MAT treatment and counseling with behavioral therapy to help in the battle of addiction. Heroin seems to get popular every few decades. Starting in the 1970s then taking a backseat to crack. Now, the heroin epidemic is on the rise.

Cite this page