Statistics, Facts and Myths

Teens turn to drugs regularly whether for recreational purposes or to help them cope with the stresses of life. In many ways, teen drug abuse is the same as it is for adults, although there may be different triggers that can lead the different demographics to use drugs. Teens most often do start off using drugs in a recreational setting. At a party or somewhere with friends they decide to give something a try, and as their curiosity gets the better of them, they continue to use different drugs as the previous ones just don’t satisfy them any longer. Heroin use in teens doesn’t usually start there; it is not the first drug they turn to and it is not as commonly available. But it does happen, and in many cases, it’s more common among homeless teens living on the streets. Heroin is a crippling drug for teens because it just can’t be overcome once an addiction forms, and an addiction can form very easily right from the first use.

Because teen drug use is common, but heroin is less so amongst average teens, there are no exact numbers demonstrating about how many teens are suffering. There are many teens known to be addicted to heroin living on the streets, but these numbers just can’t quite be grasped. There are more than anyone would like to admit, however, that is for certain.

Teen Heroin Abuse Statistics

Overall, illicit drug use by teens is decreasing, which is great news. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that teenagers who partake in heroin use within their lifetime is declining. Amongst 12th graders, the number has decreased from 3.0 percent in 2001 to 2.0 percent. In total, the number of teens that admit to using heroin in their lifetimes has dropped from 3.1 percent to 2.4 percent since 2001. Adolescents have easier access to information on the dangers and addictive nature of illicit drugs like heroin due to modern day technology. For example, the internet provides a source of information on the drug, news articles on the topic, as well as supplements and complements the anti-drug campaigns pushed through school systems.

This anti-heroin advocacy is crucial, given the fact that heroin is within reach for many teens if they invest a little time in searching. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), teenagers have reasonably easy access to heroin. 29.7 percent of 12th graders say that it is easy to obtain. Even 8th graders (12.6 percent) say that they can obtain heroin. However, there are other drugs, such as prescription drugs and marijuana, that are much easier to obtain than heroin, the official US site for heroin abuse statistics says. It’s always interesting to note when and where people use heroin for the first time. Generally it’s at a party or small social gathering where someone brings a stash to the party and offers it to others. According to NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Healthinformation, in the last year about 91,000 persons over the age of 12 used heroin for the first time. Amongst recent first time heroin users, aged 12 to 49, the average age was 20.7. This indicates that many heroin users wait until they leave their teenagers years to begin using the drug.

Facts on Teen Heroin Addiction Risks

Heroin can also come in the form of a brown powder or black sticky substance known as ‘tar heroin’ Focus Adolescent Services reminds us that, because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Heroin also poses special problems because of the transmission of HIV and other diseases that can occur from sharing needles or other injection equipment. Heroin addiction is a serious condition in which intervention, rehabilitation, or other impactful method of tackling the problem is necessary to detoxify from heroin and come out the other side a recovering addict. Heroin abuse has significant negative effects on users’ heart and respiratory system as well as takes a toll on the emotional self.

Regardless of the method of ingestion, heroin enters the body with a direct effect on the brain and organs. When anyone shoot up heroin they report an initial ‘rush’ of euphoria followed by periods of drowsiness, or ‘nodding’ in and out of consciousness. The effects of heroin on motor coordination are extremely dangerous and compromise the teen addict’s ability to perform normally in school and extracurricular activities. As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, _chronic heroin users may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, and liver or kidney-disease. Pulmonary complications, including various types of pneumonia, may result from the poor health of the heroin abuser as well as from heroin’s depressing effects on respiration

Common Teen Heroin Abuse Myths Parents Believe

One of the most common and most detrimental myths about teen heroin abuse, is that heroin isn’t a drug that most teens turn to. Some parents incorrectly believe that teens stick to “light” drugs to party, like marijuana and alcohol. By remaining in denial, parents may neglect to recognize the signs that their teens are using heroin and fail to intervene when it’s required. Signs of heroin abuse can include changes in routine, changes in personal care, and a new tendency to act recklessly. For example, teens that were once successful in school might stop attending or start failing their classes. They can also begin neglecting their personal hygiene, or have changing concerns about their appearance. Irresponsible behavior can be anything that is out of the ordinary for a teen. Parents who believe the myth that teens don’t use heroin are sure to miss these essential signs. All parents need to be aware!

Parents may also believe that they can’t intervene in their teen’s drug use because of their own history with drugs. While they might have experimented with drugs themselves as teens, it doesn’t make them hypocritical to want better for their own children. Parents cannot fail to step in if they suspect drug abuse; if they do, the cost can be the life of their child.

Myths About Heroin Use Teens Believe

Parents aren’t the only ones that believe some of the myths about heroin. Teens can be just as guilty when it comes to believing things that are untrue about heroin use. This makes it more likely that they will abuse heroin simply because they don’t truly know any better. Parents need to discuss these myths and truths with their children so they can make better informed decisions.

One myth that teens may believe is that heroin is natural so it’s okay to do. While this true (in most cases) of heroin and other illegal drugs, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have negative effects. Many natural substances can be harmful and still have addictive properties that are bad for teens. For example, some of the negative side effects of short-term heroin use can include insomnia, cold flashes, pain in the muscles and bones, restlessness and vomiting. Long-term side effects are even more severe and include malnutrition, liver disease, pulmonary complications and infections that appear in the heart lining and valves, just to name a few of the health problems that can surface. These negative side effects of heroin use prove that even a natural drug can be very bad.

Another myth is that it’s okay for teens just to try heroin and that they won’t become addicted. The reality with heroin is that even one instance of curiosity can lead to a long-term addiction. Teens may also think that trying any drug is okay because their friends are doing it or because their parents have done it in the past. Drug use cannot be justified based on the actions of others, especially not when it can lead to a person ruining their own life. With a better understanding of the facts about heroin, teens can use their own judgement and make smarter choices.

Teen Heroin Treatment

Heroin is not a drug that teens can overcome on their own. They may think they’re using a drug recreationally at first, but as they use it one time, they become addicted. Detox help is required to overcome heroin use; without it, withdrawal symptoms are so strong relapse will almost indefinitely occur. Those who want to be truly successful need to seek help in order to overcome their addiction. Parents, teachers and friends who know a loved one has a problem should help get them into a treatment program. Heroin drug abuse is crippling, and at a time of life when a teen is just in the process of developing the foundation for the rest of their life, any roadblock like addiction can be extremely detrimental.

Funding for Teen Drug Treatment

Teen drug treatment funding is available to help those teens who don’t have the resources to get into treatment on their own. They need and are as deserving of help as anyone else, and they should make steps to find it. Programs are available that are subsidized or that fully cover the costs of treatment for teens. These can be privately funded or funded by the government, but with a bit of effort, it is possible to get a teen help without finances standing in their way.