Heroin addiction treatment

Heroin Treatment in Michigan

In 2003, there were a reported 599 drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers in the state of Michigan alone. These centers combined to serve 45,733 clients for various substance abuse problems.
Detroit is heavily ridden with high availability of heroin as well as the more densely populated suburb areas of Michigan. Heroin destined for the Michigan State region continues to originate from different places around the globe. Huge heroin quantities are imported from South America, Mexico and Africa.

Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin (known as china white) are prevalent in the Detroit Metro region. However, the DMP shows that South American heroin is by far the most common type of heroin in the Detroit area. Major heroin dealers in the state of Michigan are mainly Nigerian, African American and Mexican or hispanic. The City of Detroit continues to serve as both a point of distribution and a major shipment point to other communities in Michigan State and the Ohio region.

There may be more obvious evidence in the form of a 'puddiya' (paper pouch or packet) or a vial or a plastic packet containing a chalky brown powder. Or, one may find on the heroin addict a stained foil, a stained coin, a 'toker' and a candle. If the addict is a 'mainliner' (intravenous user) then needle marks or abscesses will be seen on his forearms normally below the elbow joint. In hard core abusers, pin pricks or abscesses can even be seen on their legs. One addict had needle marks on his neck, in the area of the jugular vein. The mainliner's paraphernalia will include a spoon, a candle, a lime, a needle (often rusty and infected) and a syringe.

The other marks seen on the person's body are scratch marks, normally on the face, arms and legs. This is due to the Histamine released. In later stages of heroin addiction, skin infections are frequent. The addict has what can be described as a 'zombie' look. When observed closely, tightening of the skin of the face is noticeable. The eyes will be glassy and there will be dark circles under them and the eyelids are usually droopy, and the mouth partially open.