College is often a time of decreased boundaries, increased experimentation and the formation of new friendships. This can be an exciting, disorienting and for some people extremely dangerous time. In addition to fast food diets and lack of sleep, increasing numbers of college students are getting caught up in binge drinking, risky sexual behavior and drug abuse. Many students find themselves struggling with an overwhelming addiction they never imagined would be a part of their life. Heroin addiction is on the rise on college campuses in America, but help is available for those who know where to find it.
The Seductive Power of Heroin
Unlike substances like alcohol or marijuana that may take repeated uses before addiction occurs, heroin is often fully addictive the first time it is tried. The intense euphoria it gives users can be especially powerful for young people feeling disconnected, over-stressed or detached from family. When heroin is used, all stress, problems and even physical pain fade into a temporary cloud of bliss. The problems are still waiting on the other side of this “high” though and are often worse than they had been before using. Grades and academic performance will suffer, as life reorients itself around the new number one priority of heroin.
College Heroin Use and Peer Pressure
Many people find themselves in the company of addicts and abusers or want to belong to a social group that encourages use. Heroin use can be appealing for college students desperate for some sense of community. The college life often removes students from known systems of support, accountability and guidance. It may seem or even be the case that everyone a student knows is involved in heroin or drug use. The temptation to try the drug can be incredibly hard to resist, and once students are caught in its grip they may feel that there is no one they can turn to for help.
The Nature of Physical Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction is especially difficult to conquer. Heroin and other related opiates are addictive physically and psychologically. The brain and body develop a physical need for the drug quickly. Heroin binds to opiate receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals, stress and anxiety. All negative feelings fade away but return as the drug wears off. The body stops creating its own natural supply of “feel good” chemicals, and the user will not be able to feel normal without the drug. The physical aspects of heroin addiction are intense, and the symptoms of withdrawal can be overwhelming.
The Nature of Psychological Heroin Addiction
Even more powerful than physical addiction is psychological heroin addiction. The ecstatic high that it provides super stimulates the “pleasure center” of the brain. This is the same area of the brain that is responsible for impulse control, moods, anxiety management and memory. The euphoria that heroin produces provides immediate relief for the following:
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Fear
- Loneliness
- Physical pain
The brain will crave this relief and use all of its resources to keep the supply of heroin coming. The psychological pull of heroin is often much stronger than the physical cravings. Neural pathways in the brain are chemically rewired by heroin. These pathway changes must be reversed for lasting recovery from addiction. It is not uncommon to hear of individuals managing to detox on their own, though this can be extremely dangerous. But it is also not uncommon to hear repeated tales of those who have beaten physical addiction only to succumb to the psychological power of the disease.
Getting Help for College Students with Heroin Addiction
College can be an especially challenging environment for recovery for several reasons. The reasons many people cite for experimenting with drugs in college include the following:
- Isolation from family and friends
- Relative anonymity
- Easy access to drugs
- The need for a sense of community
The most successful recovery programs include specific tools to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. Medically supervised detox services alleviate the worst withdrawal symptoms. Therapy and counseling address psychological reasons for drug use. Fully integrated rehab programs utilize psychological care and physical addiction treatment and the identification and treatment of any co-occurring psychological conditions to provide lasting addiction recovery.
How to Find Help for College Students Abusing Heroin
College students concerned about their use of heroin or that of a friend are encouraged to call our toll-free helpline any time of day or night. Parents, teachers and other adults can also call us to talk about heroin abuse or addiction. Our specially trained counselors can help you or a loved one start a personalized path to recovery. Don’t let isolation, the fear of repercussions or rising stress and anxiety cause you to remain trapped in heroin addiction. Break free from heroin; call today.
