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michaelas-english-comp-blog · 5 years

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WP 2#

Without disclosing the specific name, I’d like to begin with the fact that I reside in a small village in Southeastern Wisconsin that has a been known to have a Heroin problem.

While this is an epidemic not only in my village, I believe there are steps and solutions we can implement within where I live, as well as across the United States that will allow people struggling with drug addiction and other problems closely associated with it to regain control of their lives.

Americanaddictioncenters.org explains the statistics and misconceptions around people who struggle with Heroin Addiction in the fact that: “Heroin is often considered to be a drug limited to the lower levels of society and to particular demographics; however, this is not true. People from the very poor to the very powerful abuse heroin. The following are some statistics and facts about heroin abuse and addiction:

Heroin abuse is reaching epidemic proportions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, deaths due to heroin overdose increased more than sixfold between 2002 and 2015.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that nearly 5.1 million people used heroin in 2015.

A recent study from JAMA Psychiatry indicates that the greatest increase in heroin use between 2001 and 2013 occurred in white Americans. The study also found that young people 18-29 and mid-life individuals 30-44 are more likely to use heroin than older people.

While this addiction is still not fully understood, the effects that the drug has on the brain’s chemical pathways appear to have a great deal to do with developing tolerance to and dependence on a drug.”

Side effects of being ‘hooked’ on this drug includes the inability to focus, lapsing in and out of consciousness, anxiety and depression, low blood pressure, and Heart arrhythmia and palpitations, to name a few.

Doctors have discovered the longer Heroin is used, he more severe the issues may become. A few of the long term effects of opioid addiction goes as follows:

Heart damage and heart disease

Cognitive damage and loss; memory loss

Liver or kidney disease due to the drug’s toxicity

Overdose potential, including slowed or stopped breathing, coma, and death.

To further enrich the description of what occurs when someone is addicted to Opioids, I have linked a short film from National Geographic that goes into what happens to your brain while it interacts with Opioids below. Please copy and paste the following link into your address bar and press enter.

https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDVV_M__C

I’ve also added a poster from ‘Discoveryplace.com’ that includes health facts and the psychological problems that can occur from those with opioid addiction.

Not only is the person’s physical and mental well-being at risk, but their interpersonal relationships can take a hit from struggling with Heroin.

People who take drugs excessively may not be outwardly open about their use due to strong feelings of shame, guilt, and fear of judgment.

This can lead to trust issues within relationships, and even escalate into abuse , irritability and violence, which in the long run destroys connections and bonds we have built with friends and family around us, and ruining potential career advancements, if not the jobs themselves.

Different solutions communities can implement in order to give those who battle addiction sometimes can combine behavioral treatments with medication that those in recovery are required to take daily.

Narcononnewliferetreat.org States that:

“While outpatient therapy once withdrawal is complete may seem more economical, there is a high potential for relapse during the unsupervised hours.”

I had also reached out to a drug counselor within my local county ,Abby Janssen MSW LCSW CSAC , who has been working at Affiliated Clinical Services West Bend since the year 2015.

When I had asked her in our interview what advice she recommends to a family that is dealing with a loved one in outpatient therapy for Opioid addiction, she was very eager to add that:

“ Which is why I personally believe a strong support system within a family and/ or friend setting is critical once the person choosing to go for treatment leaves the clinic and continues long-term treatment within their day-to-day lives.”

I had also discovered through Americanaddictioncenters.org that one of the most complete studies on heroin relapse conducted in 1998 found that “five years after seeking heroin abuse solutions in the form of detox and outpatient therapy:

41% had relapsed, stopped use, then relapsed again

27% had relapsed and never stopped using.”

That is why it becomes it becomes critical to the loved ones assisting the recovering person to be properly educated on addiction and what behaviors of potential relapse to be aware of.

Four basic signs of a Heroin Relapse, as discovered through pbinstitute.com , goes as follows:

I believe since my village is connected so closely to other small cities and towns, that the county as a whole could come together to design support groups and emphasize compassion and advertise availability for various programs in our communities and create an open dialogue for people to feel safe about approaching the idea of treatment without shame or judgement from peers or their families.

Understanding the basics about Opioid Addiction and how we can assist our fellow neighbors , friends, and family members that may be battling this destructive issue can be the first step towards helping them discover and stick with life saving treatments that end up changing the entire course of their lives for the better.

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