Former Heroin Addict Speaks Out to Help Others Battling Addiction

Heroin is widely known as a drug that can change an individual completely. It can alter physical appearance while also having shattering effects on mental health. This highly addictive substance, which is derived from the opium poppy, is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world.

An individual can become addicted to heroin after just one or two uses, making this drug extremely dangerous to anyone who tries it, even if it is just once.

What Drove This Former Addict to Heroin?

Explaining her story on popular site Reddit, one woman shared her unbelievable before-and-after pictures with the world. The first picture depicts a vulnerable woman with no life left in her eyes, looking drained and ill. The second photo, taken 836 days later, shows a woman glowing with happiness and pride; her physical appearance is much better too as she looks generally contented.

This inspiring lady, who only goes by her Reddit username, DisregardThisOrDont, explained that she was in an extremely abusive relationship that consequently led to her young daughter being taken from her and placed in to the care of her grandmother. She went on to write:

“She is my whole world, so when that happened I fell into a deep depression and leaned to my abusive boyfriend for emotional support. His answer to making me feel better was heroin.”

After abusing the substance for eight months, this addict decided she had enough. The thought of getting her daughter back in her arms was enough to push her in to recovery.

The Dangers of Heroin

The euphoric ‘buzz’ one gets from using heroin is usually that which keeps them coming back for more. When an individual abuses heroin, it triggers a chemical response in the brain that ultimately creates feelings of intense pleasure.

However, this sensation will soon wear off and, more often than not, is replaced with a whole host of not-so-pleasant side-effects, including:

• nausea/vomiting
• involuntary muscle spasms
• clouded judgement
• suppressed breathing.

These are only short-term side-effects, but even these are enough to cause serious injury and, in some cases, death. Some of the long-term risks associated with heroin abuse include lung problems, collapsed veins, chronic insomnia, and liver disease, but there is a long list of other associated risks, as well.

Road to Recovery

For many who are battling addiction, the road to recovery is a long and strenuous journey, but one that will definitely pay off in the long run. Once an addict actually commits to recovery, with the right amount of help and support, an addiction can be fought and conquered. For Reddit user DisregardThisOrDont, it was 836 days of hard work; looking at her now though, you would never guess she is a recovering addict.

She wrote, “When I found my mugshot, I felt so bad for that girl. I wanted to hug her and tell her it will get better, I then realised that girl is still out there somewhere. She isn’t me anymore though.”

This is what inspired her to actually share her story with the world. Thinking back to her journey, she wanted to warn others of the consequences of a heroin addiction and to make people think twice before picking up this harmful substance.

After her post received over 6,400 ‘up votes’ and more than 1,400 comments in just a few hours on Reddit, it is clear to see that the message is being well received.

Source:

1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3788697/Former-heroin-addict-shares-powerful-photos.html