Heroin addiction treatment

Heroin is apparently a low threat to the citizens of Arkansas. Mexican black tar heroin and brown powdered heroin are available, but on a limited basis and primarily in the larger cities in the state such as Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, and West Memphis. Mexican crime syndicates are the primary traffickers of heroin into Arkansas State. Local Caucasians independently distribute and transport heroin into Arkansas on a limited basis as well. Heroin is not being distributed on a wholesale level in the state that we know of. Mexican criminal groups and local independent dealers are the primary retail distributors of heroin.

Heroin-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in and around the state of Arkansas decreased in the past few years. According to TEDS, the number of heroin-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in Arkansas State decreased 31 percent from 75 in 1998 to 52 in 2002.

Heroin physical dependence and the emergence of heroin withdrawal symptoms were once thought to be the key of heroin addiction. We now know this may not be the case totally, since craving and relapse can occur weeks and even months after heroin withdrawal symptoms are long gone. We also know that patients with chronic pain who need opiates to function have few if any problems leaving opiates after their pain is resolved by other means. The reason can be because the patient in pain is simply seeking relief of pain and not the rush sought by the heroin addict. Also they do not numb emotional pain.

At some point during continuous heroin use, an individual can become addicted to the drug. Sometimes heroin addicts will endure many of the withdrawal symptoms to lower their tolerance for the drug so that they can again experience the rush.