To help someone recognize the warning signs of a young person who is addicted to heroin and learn how to help them receive professional help.

OVERVIEW

Drug abuse among teenagers is growing as more teens are experimenting with drugs at early ages. "A survey conducted by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) estimated that there were 149,000 new heroin users in 1998 and nearly 80% of them were under the age of 26." According to the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, "rates of heroin use among teenagers rose significantly in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades during the 1990s. In addition, regular heroin users started using the drug at an earlier age. The 1999 NHSDA revealed that the mean age of initiation for heroin declined from 26 years in 1992 to 21.3 in 1998."

However, there is some good news. New reports show that heroin use among youth may have begun to level off or decline in the later part of this decade. Also, the report discovered that "more young people perceive heroin as dangerous; 73.7% of tenth graders thought that trying heroin was a ‘great risk’—the highest percentage recorded in five years."

Never the less, heroin is still popular with youth. There is a lot of information today about drug prevention. However, there is less information available to those suffering in the latter stages of heroin addiction and want to change. Furthermore, there is even less information available to family members and those closest to the addict who wants to change. My hope is that family members and friends will read this, be encouraged, and assist the addicted one without enabling. There is hope and help available for a loved one who is suffering from a heroin addiction.

WRITER’S EXPERIENCE

For seven years, I lived with a family member who suffered from a horrible addiction to heroin. At the time, I knew virtually nothing about the drug. Actually, I did not know anyone who even experimented with it. Very quickly, I learned how demonic and destructive drugs are. I watched a very bright and talented young person do a downward spiral before my very eyes. Actually, it was like watching someone die a slow and painful death. Although I had great faith, there were times when I felt hopeless. During the beginning stages of the addiction, the person was functional, which was confusing. However, towards the later stages, the addiction had fully taken control of his life. I tried everything to reach out to this person. He tried many secular detoxification programs, Narcotics Anonymous, and Methadone Programs. Nothing seemed to work and he always relapsed back into the addiction.

As a last resort, he entered into the Teen Challenge program. For the first time, major changes emerged. After one and a half full years of recovery, he graduated from the program with many hopes and dreams of staying clean. For quite awhile, he remained drug free. However, there were still major issues in his life that were left unresolved. Unfortunately, he became involved in behaviors that stripped him of everything that was precious to him; he ended up back on heroin.

Despite what I experienced personally, I still believe in many of the principles that Teen Challenge and other programs like that follow. I am aware of many success stories of young people who complete the Teen Challenge program and live victoriously. My hope is that anyone who knows someone who is suffering from a heroin addiction will clearly understand the road that lies ahead. Each situation is unique, but there is a general pattern of what you and the person suffering may encounter on the road back. Based on what I saw at Teen Challenge, it may take someone longer than a full year to recover, and relapses in between are common. However, I strongly recommend the Teen Challenge Program or a strict faith-based program that deals holistically with the many unique needs of an addicted individual.

EVIDENCE OF ADDICTION

There are many warning signs of heroin addiction. Here are some that I have personally observed:

• Obsessive behavior.
• Having to leave suddenly.
• Staying out all night long.
• Change in personal hygiene habits.
• Yellowing or jaundice color of skin.
• Irresponsibility with finances.
• Crimes committed.
• Excessive lying and sneaky behaviors.
• Phone calls from strange people at odd times.
• Complete self-centeredness (must have my "fix" at all costs).
• Unusual tiredness (known as "nodding off") while, driving, sitting, etc.
• Pupils that are extremely small (indicating one is high).
• Pupils that are extremely large (indicating person is withdrawing from the drug).
• Needles or other drug paraphernalia (known as "works").
• Tract marks (common on forearms, but may be found on the feet, toes or other areas).
• Frequent flu-like symptoms, chills, fever (indicating that person is withdrawing).
• Extremely emotional and unpredictable behavior when withdrawing.
• Extremely euphoric behavior when high.

These are just a few indicators. Never fight with or agitate someone who is going through withdrawal, because they can be violent. No matter what stage the addicted person is in, you need to seek help for yourself. Whether or not they are ready to change, you must take care of yourself. You must do everything to stay sane and not be destroyed with the addicted person. Addiction is like a cancer that begins to subtly replace healthy cells with malignant growth.

EXACT NATURE OF INTERVENTION

Remember that there is nothing you can do to change that person’s behavior. Only when the person is ready to change, can you be of any help. Anything that is done before that time will only be misunderstood, and will bring much pain onto oneself. However, when the addict is ready to change, there is much hope for recovery. You can serve as a guiding light that shines towards the path of recovery, but the person must willingly walk towards that light. Once there is a desire for change, guidance and encouragement by someone close to the addict may be good. Any hope they can receive is probably better that the current state in which they are in.

If the person has been injecting the drug through their veins (knows as "shooting up") he must first be properly detoxed. Most long-term programs require that a person be detoxed before entering into to a longer-term program. Some programs are just not equipped to handle detoxification. Heroin addicts carry an awful stigma in our society. This will probably become very apparent as you begin to talk with health officials. Many times I heard comments such as, "There’s no bed available, you’ll have to call back next week." When I asked what the person should do until then, I was often told, "He will have to continue using until then." I remember asking one health official, "What happens if this person overdoses tonight?" The response: "Sorry, there’s nothing we can do." But do not give up on your loved one. This is the most critical time for the one who is addicted and an important first step towards hope.

PURPOSE OF INTERVENTION

The intervention outlines ways in which youth professionals, family members, and friends should participate in the recovery process. Results require patience.

PRINCIPLES OF INTERVENTION

PRECAUTIONS

Again, remember that there is nothing you can do to change the heroin addict’s behavior. In fact, there is nothing you can do to stop someone from doing drugs, if they want to use. The user will always find a way to use drugs if he or she is not ready to quit. Do not enable the person to continue to use. If you feel that you are not able to do this, you may have to separate from the person temporarily. We never know what it will take for someone to hit "rock bottom." Stop trying to figure out what is causing the person to do drugs. It will save you years of tears and frustration.

Throughout the process, you may feel as though you have lost a part of yourself. You probably have. It is very normal to feel this way. For so long, everything is twisted and wrapped around the life of the addict. You have believed lies and struggled to stay in control when it seemed as though your whole world was collapsing. Most likely, you have developed a condition known as "codependency." It is recommended that you research this condition further. This will help you to heal from the trauma of living with a person who is addicted. It will take time for your life to return to a sense of normalcy, but it can and will happen if you work through the process.

FURTHER SUGGESTIONS

The following resources may be of help, guidance, and support.

FOR THE HEROIN ADDICT:

Teen Challenge World Wide Network - www.teenchallenge.com

Narcotics Anonymous -

www.na.org

FOR THE FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FRIEND

Beattie, M. Codependent no more.

St. Romain, P. Freedom from codependency.

Curran, D. Traits of a healthy family.