In the United States individuals die every day due to heroin overdose. Heroin can be practically found anywhere nowadays, and the use and effects of it can cause serious consequence to a person’s health. Heroin is derived from morphine alkaloid which is found in opium and is approximately 2-3 times more potent (Drugs.com, 2015). Heroin in many cases is a white powdery substance. In other cases is has been seen as a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2015). In addition, most heroin is mixed with other drugs or substances such as sugar or powder milk. It is also sometimes mixed with other poisons (Drugs.com, 2015). However, many users do not know the strength of the drug and therefore, risk
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Addiction is considered to have specific characteristics, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder established the following characteristics for diagnosing; compulsive drug use regardless of the consequences, inability to meet social, employment, or other responsibilities, inability to stop using drugs, tolerance, and lastly withdrawal (Teen Treatment Center, …show more content…
Amaro and Dr. Cortés found that drug use of other illicit drugs are higher among Hispanic males than Hispanic females (Amaro & Cortés, 2003). However, a racial and ethnic population of heroin user amongst African-American, Hispanics and Whites showed the following; 31% of blacks reported heroin use and were confirmed. 81% of Hispanics reported heroin use and 71% were confirmed. Lastly 71% of whites reported heroin use and 52% were confirmed (Bernstien et al., 2007). The reality is that in their final conclusion of this study, Whites were more likely to use heroin than Hispanics or Blacks (Bernstien et al., 2007). The Centers for Disease Control reported that heroin overdose deaths have increased among the whites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). “In 2002, the death rate was highest among blacks from 45 to 65 years old. The rate for blacks and Hispanics remained statistically unchanged through 2011, while the death rate for whites increased dramatically among all age groups. That rate more than doubled.” (Tozzi, 2014). We can see that the profile of a heroin use have change and will continue to change throughout time. Years ago. Heroin users were considered to be young men from minorities group (Nierenberg, 2014). Today, individuals who are more likely to be engaged in the use of this destructive drug are white men and women in their late 20’s (Nierenberg, 2014). Theodore J. Cicero, who is a professor of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis
Addiction is considered to have specific characteristics, and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder established the following characteristics for diagnosing; compulsive drug use regardless of the consequences, inability to meet social, employment, or other responsibilities, inability to stop using drugs, tolerance, and lastly withdrawal (Teen Treatment Center, …show more content…
Amaro and Dr. Cortés found that drug use of other illicit drugs are higher among Hispanic males than Hispanic females (Amaro & Cortés, 2003). However, a racial and ethnic population of heroin user amongst African-American, Hispanics and Whites showed the following; 31% of blacks reported heroin use and were confirmed. 81% of Hispanics reported heroin use and 71% were confirmed. Lastly 71% of whites reported heroin use and 52% were confirmed (Bernstien et al., 2007). The reality is that in their final conclusion of this study, Whites were more likely to use heroin than Hispanics or Blacks (Bernstien et al., 2007). The Centers for Disease Control reported that heroin overdose deaths have increased among the whites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). “In 2002, the death rate was highest among blacks from 45 to 65 years old. The rate for blacks and Hispanics remained statistically unchanged through 2011, while the death rate for whites increased dramatically among all age groups. That rate more than doubled.” (Tozzi, 2014). We can see that the profile of a heroin use have change and will continue to change throughout time. Years ago. Heroin users were considered to be young men from minorities group (Nierenberg, 2014). Today, individuals who are more likely to be engaged in the use of this destructive drug are white men and women in their late 20’s (Nierenberg, 2014). Theodore J. Cicero, who is a professor of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis