According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 90 people die from an opioid overdose each day. In addition, nearly two million people abuse opioids annually. Opioid epidemic statistics include heroin, as teen heroin use is on the rise.
Heroin is part of the opioid family that includes codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine. Derived from the poppy plant, heroin comes in two primary forms: natural and synthetic. Overdose or addiction to heroin can lead to a wide range of side effects that include terminal health problems and fatality. There are also the hygienic risks of heroin, including sharing needles that can also transmit bloodborne illnesses like AIDS.
Stats Prove Teen Heroin Use Is On The Rise
Many teens who use heroin either do not realize when they are addicted to the drug or deny that they have a problem. Even when users increase their heroin dosage, they may do so not realizing how hooked they are to the drug.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
- In 2018, less than 0.1 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 were past year heroin users This percentage represents about 10,000 adolescents who used heroin in 2018.
- Less than 0.1 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 2018 had a heroin use disorder in 2018. This corresponds to about 4,000 adolescents.
- Among adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 2018, 2.8 percent misused opioids, corresponding to 699,000 adolescents.
- An estimated 0.4 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 had an opioid use disorder in 2018. That percentage represents about 108,000 adolescents.
One of the main reasons why teenagers abuse heroin is that they are unaware of their addictive properties. Furthermore, there is a lack of education and awareness provided by the pharmaceutical industry and the medical community regarding the dangers of heroin.
Why is Heroin So Addictive?
Once heroin enters the central nervous system, it immediately binds to receptors in the brain. While heroin produces different reactions, the common thread is that the brain responds to the reaction in a way that produces pleasure. In most cases, the pleasure comes in the form of euphoria, relaxation, or pain reduction. This a primary reason why teen heroin use is on the rise.
One of the heroin epidemic statistics that many people are unaware of is that addiction to heroin can begin in as little as three days. However, addiction doesn’t occur overnight. It slowly progresses over a period of several weeks, months, or years. Eventually, a user forms a dependency on the drug. They get to a point where they feel as though they cannot live without the substance. This is especially the case, as users have to increase the dosage to continue feeling the effects.
Learn More About Why Teen Heroin Use is On the Rise
Regardless of the heroin epidemic statistics, help is available for addiction. Foothills at Red Oak offers comprehensive treatment for all types of addictions. We provide detox, rehab, and aftercare to ensure a successful recovery. To find out more about your treatment options, call us at 866.300.5275. We are here to help you get on the road to recovery.
