There is a growing epidemic of heroin use in the United States; the Drug Enforcement Administration found that heroin use and deaths involving heroin tripled from 2007 to 2014.  These statistics illustrate how necessary finding a solution for this addiction is.  In order to aid in the fight, federal regulations in Illinois are becoming more relaxed to combat Heroin use by utilizing Methadone.

Heroin is part of a class of drugs known as Opioids.  Opioids are chemical substances that interact with opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system to create feelings of pleasure and pain relief.  No one can pinpoint the exact reasoning behind this addiction but psychologists believe this disorder has a variety of factors such as genetic predisposition, history of other mental illnesses, and environmental factors.  Although treatment centers and 12-step programs are in place, users are finding the treatment difficult to help their addictions.

One treatment established for assisting heroin users is methadone.  Methadone has been used by clinics and treatment centers since the early 1950’s.  Many people cite heroin’s withdrawal symptoms as their reasoning behind continuing to use the drug.  However, methadone can prevent or reduce the unpleasantness of these withdrawal symptoms.  This allows users to become fully engaged in their recovery against heroin

Although this form of treatment is helpful, there is a stigma towards this treatment option.  There is also negative consequences of methadone use.  One can rarely find positive stories of methadone use because people state how methadone is replacing one drug for another.  On top of this, individuals have become addicted to methadone, heroin users may sell it on the streets, or methadone users may experience withdrawal symptoms.

As a result of these negative side effects, clinics and doctors have tight regulations concerning distribution.  Even so, Illinois, just last week, has bolstered their regulations for doctors from limiting the prescription drug from 100 patients to 275 patients.  Privatized methadone clinics have also slightly grown to combat the increasing issue.

Hopefully, the funding and resources for these methadone clinics broadens and the root of the problem of heroin use can be found.

If you or a loved one has been charged with possession, the Law Office of Edward Johnson will be able to assist you. Call 708.606.4386 for a free consultation today.  Nicole Rhim

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