The problem of heroin overdose in Cleveland, Ohio is growing and addiction to the drug has already reached epidemic proportions. State officials are concerned that the increase is an indicator that future overdose deaths will exceed homicides. Heroin is heavily marketed in the northeast region of Ohio, and market demand is especially strong in Cleveland. The drug has superseded cocaine use and is causing deaths at an unprecedented rate, not only in overdose situations but also in violent acts caused in drug deals etc. Statistics from the Ohio Department of Health reported that over 1,000 deaths occurred in 2014 that involved heroin, and use of the drug has permeated every segment of society. Addressing the problem of heroin overdose deaths is improving as the use of Naloxone is increasing. Naloxone is the antidote for a heroin overdose, stopping the progression of the drug’s effects dead in its tracks. In 2015, Naloxone reportedly saved 166 people from heroin and fentanyl overdose death.
Heroin Overdose in Cleveland, Ohio
A few days ago the Police Department of Liverpool, Ohio publicly released a photograph of an incident involving heroin. The reason for releasing the photo was an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of heroin use. The incident involved a man and woman passed out in the front seat of a vehicle, apparently overdosing on heroin, while a four year old child sat in the back of the car. With the help of a quick thinking police officer who stopped to investigate, the couple has survived. Efforts are now being made to begin a program of heroin awareness in public schools for grades kindergarten and up. Educating children of the dangers of the drug may begin to halt the future progression of heroin use.
A big part of the epidemic is when people are prescribed opioid pain medications such as Oxycontin or Vicodin, and then begin to abuse the drug. They become addicted to opioid drugs, and when they cannot receive refill prescriptions for the drug they turn to heroin because it is cheaper to buy and easily accessible. Heroin is an opioid narcotic derived from the poppy plant and is highly addictive. It may have the appearance of white or brown powder, black chunks or a black sticky tar substance. Street names for the drug include smack, junk, horse and brown sugar. Heroin can be smoke, snorted or injected and it passes quickly through the blood-brain barrier. Once inside the brain, the drug binds to the opioid receptors in the brain and body, creating feelings of euphoria, pleasure and well-being. The perception of pain is decreased in the brain when heroin binds to the brain’s opioid receptors. On the other hand, the opioid receptors in the brain stem regulate critical life processes such as respiration and blood pressure, and may be adversely affected by heroin.
Effects of Heroin
Effects of heroin use can include depressed breathing and heart rate, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and collapsed veins from injections. Overdose from heroin is often caused by a lack of oxygen from depression of the respiratory system which causes the user to stop breathing. Another reason for overdose is aspiration of vomit while the user is unconscious. Withdrawal symptoms may occur within six hours after the last use of heroin. Symptoms of withdrawal can include anxiety, depression, sweating, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, cramps and more.
Heroin addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that causes chemical changes within the brain. Treatment for heroin addiction includes medications in an effort to restore normal brain function, and psychological therapies such as behavior modification therapy to help an addict change destructive behavior patterns. There is help available for anyone who wants to stop the destructive cycle of heroin addiction, and regain control of their life. If you or a loved one need help to overcome addiction, just call Drug Detox Centers Cleveland at (216) 666-2727 for information.
