A Class A drug, Heroin is one of the most used drugs in the United Kingdom.
Though many individuals believe that using Heroin is harmless, addictions arise when Heroin is consumed over a prolonged period.
Providing instant pain relief, a sense of calmness and euphoria, Heroin users are known to chase the highs that the drug offers. However, the high Heroin offers lasts for approximately one hour.
As the short-term effects of Heroin wear off, cravings are experienced. When succumbed to, the brain associates pleasurable sensations with Heroin, leaving many struggling with addictions.
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Heroin Use In The United Kingdom
Heroin addictions, like many other addictions, can impact almost anyone. Though many believe that addictions only impair those that fit the stereotypical view of an addict, this is not true.
Below, we have outlined several Heroin facts and statistics surrounding Heroin use in the United Kingdom.
- People between the ages of 15 and 64 admit to using Heroin at least once in their lifetime.
- More than 261,000 adults use and abuse Heroin each year in the United Kingdom.
- Studies show that 75% of Heroin users simultaneously struggle with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Heroin poisoning has contributed to the number of Heroin deaths recorded since 2012.
- According to research gathered by Public Health England, Heroin sees more people secure addiction treatment than any other drug.
When an addiction to Heroin arises, treatment must be secured as soon as possible. Not only does addiction treatment increase recovery rates, but it ensures that a reduced number of lives are lost to addiction.
The Dangers Of Using Heroin
The National Institute on Drug Abuse confirms that one of the many dangers of using Heroin is that people living with addictions struggle with other health problems that significantly affect the quality of life. These include heart disease, cancer, and mental health problems.
While these problems are commonly associated with Heroin addictions, there are many other dangers and risks of using Heroin.
Other health complications and dangers of using Heroin include:
- Hallucinations
- Impaired cognitive function
- Organ failure
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Infertility
- Collapsed Veins
- Weakened immune system
- Co-occurring addictions
Using Heroin also impacts the wider community. This is because those who use and abuse Heroin will often participate in anti-social behaviour and crime. Each year, drug-related crime is thought to cost the nation £2.5 billion a year.
Heroin and Other Drugs
A large proportion of individual’s who use and abuse Heroin are thought to use at least one other drug. Though extremely dangerous and often deadly, mixing Heroin with other drugs increases the euphoric sensations provided and prolongs the high experience.
If Heroin is consumed alongside other drugs, dual diagnosis treatment will be required when Heroin addiction treatment is sought. This particular treatment simultaneously ensures that substance addictions can be overcome.
Heroin Treatment Facts and Statistics
When Heroin addictions arise, professional treatment must be sought. Across the United Kingdom, Heroin addiction treatment providers include NHS rehabs and private rehabs. However, only 52% of people in need of treatment contact a rehab.
While the overall aim of Heroin addiction treatment remains the same irrespective of whether NHS or private treatment is secured, the treatment provided greatly differs.
To provide insight into the treatment available for Heroin addictions, we have shared many Heroin treatment facts and statistics below.
NHS Treatment
The NHS provides two different treatments for Heroin addiction. These include maintenance therapy and detoxification.
Maintenance therapy sees an individual switch from Heroin to a suitable substitute. This treatment option is a long-term solution. Meanwhile, detoxification sees individuals withdraw from Heroin within three months.
NHS treatment is typically provided on an outpatient basis. Requiring less commitment, outpatient treatment helps many overcome their struggles with Heroin. However, treatment is not available immediately.
According to Public Health Scotland, 90% of people referred for Heroin addiction treatment wait for at least three weeks before they are approached to discuss their treatment options.
Private Treatment
Private Heroin addiction treatment is administered across the country on a residential basis. Unlike NHS treatment, private Heroin addiction treatment equips individuals with a personalised treatment programme.
Treatments often encountered within a private rehabilitation centre include:
- Medically induced detoxification
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Dialectical behavioural therapy
- Bereavement counselling
- Stress management
- Therapeutic therapies
- Sleep management
- Mindfulness
- Relapse prevention
Catering wholly to an individual’s addiction and recovery needs, private rehab treatment has enabled at least 60% of people to make a long-term recovery.
Though the treatments noted above contribute to Heroin addiction recovery, adequate relapse prevention and aftercare support must be supplied to ensure that those who have completed Heroin addiction treatment can maintain their recovery.
Approximately 59% of individuals in recovery relapse within just one week of leaving rehab without aftercare support.
Contact Us Today
To find out more about Heroin facts and statistics and addiction treatment, please contact us today.
Our admissions team can provide a wealth of information and ensure that all questions are answered.
To refer yourself to a suitable rehab for Heroin addiction treatment, our team can additionally support you in making a referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1] instant pain relief, a sense of calmness and euphoria - https://www.verywellmind.com/what-heroin-effects-feel-like-22047
- [2] one hour - https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/heroin#duration
- [3] People between the ages of 15 and 64 admit to using Heroin at least once in their lifetime. - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose
- [4] More than 261,000 adults use and abuse Heroin each year in the United Kingdom. - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/882953/Review_of_Drugs_Evidence_Pack.pdf
- [5] 75% of Heroin users simultaneously struggle with mental health disorders - https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/heroin-use
- [6] Heroin poisoning - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2018registrations
- [7] Public Health England - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-drug-situation-focal-point-annual-report/uk-drug-situation-2019-summary
- [8] The National Institute on Drug Abuse - https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/addiction-health
- [9] Each year, drug-related crime is thought to cost the nation £2.5 billion a year. - https://www.drugwise.org.uk/how-much-crime-is-drug-related/
- [10] only 52% of people in need of treatment contact a rehab. - https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-drug-misuse/2019/part-3-drug-use-among-adults#adults-in-treatment-for-substance-misuse
- [11] Maintenance therapy sees an individual switch from Heroin to a suitable substitute - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/heroin-get-help/
- [12] long-term solution - https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/methadone/
- [13] Public Health Scotland - https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/id/dataset/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-waiting-times
- [14] 59% of individuals in recovery relapse within just one week of leaving rehab without aftercare support. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20669601/
Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.
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