New Port Richey (PRWEB) June 18, 2014
With recent news reports indicating that heroin use is on the rise—the U.S. Justice Department says there was a 320% increase in heroin seized along the southwest U.S. border from 2008 through 2013 (1)—the health and safety of the American public are at risk, some say, with even the U.S. Attorney General speaking out about the need for a solution. Novus Medical Detox, one of the only Florida-based detox centers serving high-dosage drug abuse patients, says that the addictive qualities and inherent high associated with heroin are creating a “hard-to-quit” atmosphere for users; as a result, Novus encourages increased access to detox and rehabilitation programs for users, in addition to better public education about the dangers of substance abuse.
A 2012 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported about 669,000 people over the age of 12 had used heroin at some point during the year, and of those, roughly 467,000 were considered to be heroin-dependent—more than double the number in 2002. (2) The figures are what some deem to be a likely impetus behind U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to address the growing epidemic. In a video released in early March, Holder called heroin overdoses an “urgent public health crisis,” and stated:
“It’s clear that opiate addiction is an urgent—and growing—public health crisis. And that’s why Justice Department officials, including the (Drug Enforcement Administration), and other key federal, state, and local leaders, are fighting back aggressively.” (1)
Novus Executive Director Kent Runyon agrees with Holder’s position, and names heroin as a growing cause of drug overdoses, citing experts who say that the number of heroin users has more than doubled since 2007, and deaths from heroin overdoses are also on the rise in some parts of the country—about 3,000 people die in the U.S. of heroin overdoses each year. (3)
“Heroin provides a cheaper, faster high that eclipses that of any other narcotic, and its addictive qualities make sobriety an even harder reality to achieve for those struggling with addiction, even if they desire to live a drug-free life,” said Runyon. “But there is a solution that helps individuals overcome their addiction and return to being healthy, contributing members of society.”
Runyon maintains that rather than encouraging the current landscape of punishing drug-addicted individuals with incarceration, they should instead be treated as people who need help that can only be achieved through comprehensive detox and rehabilitation.
“In the past, detox was a one-size-fits-all approach, but the pain and degradation from being judged has led those addicted to drugs such as heroin to continue abusing those substances, leading to more and more depravation and even criminal activity,” said Runyon. “But detox using integrated medicine to mitigate the pain, and tailored detox and rehab programs to treat the individual, are the more humane and advanced medical procedures that work.”
In addition, Runyon suggests increased public education about the real dangers of heroin use and progressive treatments now available for people currently struggling with addiction.
Heroin has been proven to induce nausea, vomiting or itching; additionally, injecting too much of the drug at once can cause depressed breathing, a slow heart rate and unconsciousness. (4) In addition to its impact on the physical health of users, heroin also has an innate ability to adversely affect the lives of family and friends who attempt to help their loved ones struggling with addiction to no avail, per Runyon.
Novus opened its doors with the purpose of fixing the detox process, to ensure that anyone could overcome drug addiction comfortably. The detox center handles the toughest of drug and alcohol cases, including many which are rejected from other facilities as “too high a risk.”
Novus advises those who are dependent on any abusive substance(s) to seek out safe, medically-supervised detox programs, and to use those employing integrated medicine that allows the detox process to be as comfortable as possible.
For more information on Novus Medical Detox’s addiction and detox programs, visit http://www.NovusDetox.com.
About Novus Medical Detox Center:
Novus Medical Detox Center offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Fla., Novus is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families as an inpatient medical detox facility. Novus is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs or alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient, incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment—putting the dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, cable television, and high-speed Internet access. For more information, visit http://www.novusdetox.com.
1.Prokupecz, Shimon. “Attorney General Eric Holder Vows to Fight Rising Heroin Deaths.” CNN. Cable News Network, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 10 June 2014. cnn.com/2014/03/10/us/holder-heroin-overdose-initiative/.
2.Perez, Evan, Tory Dunnan, and Dana Ford. “Ready Access, Low Cost, Pill-like High: Heroin’s Rise and Fatal Draw.” CNN. Cable News Network, 4 Feb. 2014. Web. 12 June 2014. cnn.com/2014/02/02/us/heroin-use-rising/index.html.
3.Sheridan, Kerry. Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 28 May 2014. Web. 12 June 2014. news.yahoo.com/heroin-drug-choice-white-us-suburbs-212100239.html.
4.“The Effects of Heroin Use.” N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2014. drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-heroin-use/.
Heroin Deaths Prompt U.S. Attorney Generals Call for ActionNovus Medical Detox Encourages Education, Rehabilitation
