A history of abuse
Noah Bullard / December 1, 2018 2:30 p.m.
Muncie, Indiana, is no stranger to the opioid epidemic that began in Scott County almost five years ago. In fact, Delaware County is above the state average of 35.9 opioid-related incidents per 100,000. Of the 92 counties in Indiana, Delaware County’s incident rate of 36.3 per 100,000 people ranks 33rd in the state.
Delaware County is also above the state average in regards to opioid related deaths with 8.9 deaths per 100,000 being the mark for the Muncie area and 3.5 being the state average. More recent data reports that the death rate is increasing, with 2016 data showing the county average raising to 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents. |
According to the Indiana State Department of Health, most opioid abusers in Delaware County are men. 76 percent to be exact. However, most people don’t recognize the risks of opioid painkillers and drugs like heroin.
The Department of Health also reported that most deaths related to opioids occur in the late 40s to mid 50s in Delaware County, suggesting that the problem begins at a young age.
Opioids, especially prescription medicines, are very addictive. Continued use or even abuse of these drugs can cause physical dependence and addiction. Many prescription drugs are part of the problem. Morphine, along with other prescription painkillers, is a gateway into more severe forms of abuse. While these drugs are very effective, they’re also very addictive. Many abusers of painkillers can quickly transition into heroin abuse.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the body reacts and conforms to the presence of heroin very quickly, and users will experience withdrawals if they reduce or stop using the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia and cold flashes.
Many opioid dependent people will continue to increase their dosage to achieve the same feeling. This is called tolerance. Long term users develop this over the course of their dependency, which is correlated to the death rate of 45-54 year-olds being X according to X.
The rapid jump in opioid-related deaths in 2016 reflects the 35 percent increase in opioid related overdoses from 2015-2016, according to X. This increase can be attributed to synthetic forms of heroin, laced with other drugs like ketamine and fentanyl, which are both forms of large animal tranquilizer. Synthetic opioid deaths have become increasingly popular, with the number of synthetic related deaths in Indiana jumping from 43 in 2012 to 304 in 2016.
Heroin use can do much more damage in the long term according to X, and repeated use will change the physiology and physical structure of the brain, which leads to long term imbalances in the hormonal and neuronal systems that can’t be easily reversed. Heroin use can also cause the white matter of the brain to deteriorate. This may affect normal responses to stress, limit decision making abilities, and complicate the regulation of behavior.
In addition to these long term effects, abusers can be diagnosed with Heroin Use Disorder (HUD). HUD is a chronic, relapsing disease which overruns physical dependence and causes people to seek the drug without regard for consequences. Once someone has HUD, they begin a spiral that is nearly impossible to stop. The need for drug use becomes the sole purpose in life.
Heroin is very addictive no matter how it’s taken into the body. But, the quicker it reaches the brain (i.e., injection or smoking) increases the risk of developing HUD. If you or someone you know struggles with opioid use/addiction, please contact 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The Department of Health also reported that most deaths related to opioids occur in the late 40s to mid 50s in Delaware County, suggesting that the problem begins at a young age.
Opioids, especially prescription medicines, are very addictive. Continued use or even abuse of these drugs can cause physical dependence and addiction. Many prescription drugs are part of the problem. Morphine, along with other prescription painkillers, is a gateway into more severe forms of abuse. While these drugs are very effective, they’re also very addictive. Many abusers of painkillers can quickly transition into heroin abuse.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the body reacts and conforms to the presence of heroin very quickly, and users will experience withdrawals if they reduce or stop using the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia and cold flashes.
Many opioid dependent people will continue to increase their dosage to achieve the same feeling. This is called tolerance. Long term users develop this over the course of their dependency, which is correlated to the death rate of 45-54 year-olds being X according to X.
The rapid jump in opioid-related deaths in 2016 reflects the 35 percent increase in opioid related overdoses from 2015-2016, according to X. This increase can be attributed to synthetic forms of heroin, laced with other drugs like ketamine and fentanyl, which are both forms of large animal tranquilizer. Synthetic opioid deaths have become increasingly popular, with the number of synthetic related deaths in Indiana jumping from 43 in 2012 to 304 in 2016.
Heroin use can do much more damage in the long term according to X, and repeated use will change the physiology and physical structure of the brain, which leads to long term imbalances in the hormonal and neuronal systems that can’t be easily reversed. Heroin use can also cause the white matter of the brain to deteriorate. This may affect normal responses to stress, limit decision making abilities, and complicate the regulation of behavior.
In addition to these long term effects, abusers can be diagnosed with Heroin Use Disorder (HUD). HUD is a chronic, relapsing disease which overruns physical dependence and causes people to seek the drug without regard for consequences. Once someone has HUD, they begin a spiral that is nearly impossible to stop. The need for drug use becomes the sole purpose in life.
Heroin is very addictive no matter how it’s taken into the body. But, the quicker it reaches the brain (i.e., injection or smoking) increases the risk of developing HUD. If you or someone you know struggles with opioid use/addiction, please contact 1-800-662-HELP (4357).