The Significant Problem of Opioid and Heroin Abuse in Hattiesburg

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that more than 2 million U.S. residents have an opioid use disorder. When people who are dependent on these drugs can no longer acquire them, they commonly turn to heroin they can buy from dealers. Heroin abuse in Hattiesburg area is a significant problem.

The Effects on Mississippi

Mississippi has been strongly affected by the liberal prescribing of opiate prescription pain medication. The state ranks in the top five for the number of these prescriptions provided each year. Accidental overdoses have increased at a disturbing rate for both prescription painkillers and heroin. Drug-treatment clinics provide help for people who have become caught up in heroin abuse in Hattiesburg.

Problems Connected With Heroin Addiction

Once men and women start using heroin, they may share syringes to keep their costs as low as possible. This leads to the spread of diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Heroin buyers cannot know whether the drug has been cut with another substance; sometimes dealers cut it with another opioid. The combination can result in an accidental overdose. People who give in to the craving to use heroin after they have completed rehab are at substantial risk of an accidental overdose.

Changes in Brain Chemistry

Opioids change brain chemistry in long-lasting ways. Months after a person has quit the drug, the compulsion to use again may have to be battled regularly. Supervised detoxification during withdrawal is provided at The Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinic of South Mississippi, which can be learned about at web.