Heroin addiction in Illinois: A community problem of epidemic proportions

July 28--In Illinois, heroin addiction is a growing problem. Overdose and deaths as a result of heroin abuse are issues now faced by every community in our State. No small town is exempt from this growing epidemic. Today, towns such as: Stewardson, Beecher City, Altamont, St. Elmo, Herrick and Cowden to name a few, have joined traditional larger cities like Decatur and Springfield where exposure to heroin use is commonly known.

Will County, which is located in the north side of the State, reported over 11 deaths due to heroin overdose so far this year -- 8 of the victims were under 30 years old. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at the National level; deaths due to heroin overdose increased by 47% from 2010 to 2011. In other words, today 11 Americans die every two hours due to a heroin overdose.

Types of heroin users prefer, and the consequences

Powder, tar-like or hard are the preferred and most common forms of heroin available for sale in Illinois. The color ranges between white, brown or black. The substance can be snorted, smoked or injected. Those using heroin will increase their tolerance to the drug, therefore requiring increases to the doses to achieve the same euphoric effect. Once the user is physically dependent on heroin, or any other opiates such as many pain medications; the withdrawal effect increases in severity. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal from the drug may be -- intense cravings, agitation, bone pain, muscle pain, sleeplessness, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, sweating and spontaneous leg movements. All of these will eventually lead the user to an overdose.

Starting the journey to a lifelong recovery

Today, over half a million Americans are addicted to heroin. 4 out of 5 heroin users began their road to addiction with the use and abuse of prescription pain medications. Everyone is affected by the consequences of substance and alcohol abuse; therefore, it is important that we become familiar, not only with the symptoms and effects, but with the locations available to help the abuser before is too late.

New Vision™, a unique, confidential, compassionate and caring method of safe withdrawal medical stabilization, is available at Shelby Memorial Hospital. Our medication assisted withdrawal method can safely get the abuser the chance they need to recover from abuse and seek long term treatment. Our unit is located in the hospital, and we are available for consultation, Monday to Friday from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Our office number is: 217-774-6436. The call is confidential and we accept most insurance plans, Medicare & Medicaid.

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