The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on the residents of New Jersey. An estimated 3,021 individuals lost their lives to an opioid-suspected overdose in 2019 in the state of NJ alone. The effects of this public health concern can be felt across the country, which showcases the importance of having heroin treatment programs accessible to everyone in need.
What Is Heroin Use Disorder? Understanding It and Comprehensive Overview
Heroin dependency falls within the diagnosis of an opioid use disorder (OUD). Heroin addiction is marked by a combination of behavioral and physical symptoms, and the severity is determined by the number of symptoms that an individual experiences. Symptoms associated with opioid use disorder provided by the American Society of Addiction Medicine include:
- Experiencing cravings
- Developing a tolerance or needing more to experience the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Taking opioids in a larger amount or for a longer period than originally intended
- Wanting to reduce or stop the use of opioids but being unable to do so
- Spending a significant amount of time thinking about the next use, procuring opioids, using opioids, and recovering from their effects.
- Continued use of opioids despite the negative effect it has had on other areas of the person’s life
- Missing or reducing the number of work, social, or recreational activities that they previously engaged in
- Using in physically hazardous situations
