Is controlled heroin use an option for people suffering from addiction? At first, you would probably answer with a resounding “no.” How could a partially legal distribution of a drug that kills people across America be a viable part of society? Nevertheless, numerous addicts across our country have speculated about the possibility of using heroin without developing severe addiction in the first place. Despite decades of contradictory evidence and scrutiny in the medical profession, some research has unearthed the possibility that people can use heroin without developing addiction. Is this possible, at all? Can heroin users consume their drug without suffering from a mental illness? Let’s take a closer look and find out some more information about this controversial subject.
Not Everyone Becomes an Addict
For two decades, Dr. Norman Zinberg (Harvard Medical School) has conducted experiments to test the addictive nature of drugs like heroin. During his tests, he discovered that not everyone who uses this powerful opioid will succumb to addiction. In fact, Dr. Zinberg speculates that factors like a person’s current mental state (set) and their environment (setting) played a huge role in determining susceptibility to this mental problem. As far back as 1962, he speculated that the fear of opioid addiction among doctors was stemming from a cultural stigma and noted how a small number of patients who received opioids actually became addicts.
Maintaining Control
As part of the progression of his work, Dr. Zinberg proposed that rituals and social sanctions determined a person’s likelihood for heroin addiction. Simply put, predictable behavior patterns (rituals) and values (social sanctions) serve as risk factors for this mental illness. Nowadays, Dr. Zinberg’s reports have been recorded in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, establishing a stark difference between opioid use disorder (a legitimate mental illness) and opioid withdrawal (symptoms which can happen to people who are not addicts).
Despite the legitimacy of these studies, however, we must keep in mind that heroin is a terribly addictive and extremely harmful substance.
Seeking Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Long-term and short-term heroin use is extremely dangerous and can wreak havoc on the bodies and minds of you and your loved ones. Likewise, you face a high risk of contracting viruses or diseases through unclean needles, which can further damage your physical and mental state. The time to take back control of your life is now. If you, your friends, or loved ones are suffering from drug abuse or addiction (or a form of dependency) and require in-depth, rigorous care, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle.
Remember that heroin does not have control of your life. Only you do. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
