Heroin addiction is destroying the lives of many Americans. With black tar heroin coming from Mexico at a faster rate than government officials can stop it, it's is no wonder so many people are addicted to the drug. Mexican heroin is called black tar because of the color and consistency that is due to the crude processing method in which it is made. Mexico is one of the four foreign sources in which heroin comes into the Unites States, other sources include Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and South America. The majority of the heroin that is brought into the US comes from South America and Mexico.
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is both the most abused and the most rapidly acting of the opiates. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as “black tar” heroin. Heroin can be injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. Injection is the most effective way to administer low-purity heroin. The availability of high-purity heroin and the fear of infection by sharing needles have made snorting and smoking the drug more common.
Methadone maintenance treatment programs have been around for several decades. Methadone is effective in treating cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs. Many methadone maintenance treatment patients require continuous treatment, sometimes over a period of years. Although the withdrawal symptoms are not as severe with methadone as they are with heroin, patients still remain physically addicted to opioids while on the methadone maintenance treatment program. Important elements in heroin treatment include comprehensive social and rehabilitation services.
To learn more about heroin addiction and how you can get help or help someone you love please call us now at 1-800-468-6933.