{"id":37,"date":"2013-10-03T12:23:11","date_gmt":"2013-10-03T12:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/?page_id=37"},"modified":"2025-11-27T20:08:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T20:08:37","slug":"heroin-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/drug-addiction\/heroin-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Heroin addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><div class=\"contained\"><div><div><\/div><div class=\"content\"><h1>Heroin addiction<\/h1><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" class=\"btn submit\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div id=\"crumbs\" class=\"contained\" data-is-podcasts=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\">Home<\/a>  \/  <span class=\"current\">Page<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide has-2-columns main-page is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"accordion wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is heroin addiction?\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heroin is an illegal substance in the opioid class, (other opioids include morphine, codeine, pethidine, buprenorphine and methadone). According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/issafrica.org\/iss-today\/heroin-use-is-shooting-up-in-south-africa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">report<\/a> published in April 2019 by ENACT<strong>, a <\/strong>European-Union funded project that tracks organized crime in Africa, South Africa is in the grip of a heroin crisis. Up until the 1990&rsquo;s, heroin was generally only available in the metropoles and purchased by white males. This demographic has changed, with heroin addiction now prevalent in towns and rural areas.&nbsp;<br><br>Heroin primarily comes from Afghanistan, the world&rsquo;s largest grower of poppy plants. According to the United Nations, despite international efforts to curb the production of opium- it reached record levels in 2017. As law enforcement has tightened in other countries such as the Balkans, so drug traffickers have begun to make use of the east coast of Africa. Ten years ago, between 80 and 90% of the heroin that arrived in South Africa, via this route, was then shipped directly to more lucrative markets in Europe and North America. Now, a significant amount of the drug remains in the country as South Africa makes the transition from &ldquo;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/world\/la-fg-south-africa-heroin-epidemic-20190421-story.html\" target=\"_blank\">being a heroin transit hub to a retail destination<\/a>&rdquo;.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heroin is a central nervous system depressant. It is a highly addictive and dependency on the substance is created rapidly. Repeated use changes the physiology of the brain, creating long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed. The brain&rsquo;s white matter starts to decrease over time, which may severely affect behaviour, emotions and cognitive ability.&nbsp;<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methods of use\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heroin is mainly injected, smoked or snorted. The drug is frequently cut with other substances. The full effects of one dose of heroin lasts for a few hours, but the immediate euphoria and rush only last a few minutes. Once the high wears off, the person may begin &ldquo;nodding,&rdquo; or falling in and out of unconsciousness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effects on the user\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which may include\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Euphoria<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Relief from pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Shallow breathing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drowsiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Decrease in body temperature&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Constriction of the pupils<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Loss of sex drive.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harmful side-effects and health risks\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Long-term use of heroin may lead to severe damage to the heart, brain, kidney, liver and lungs.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prolonged intravenous use may cause the veins to collapse, when this happens, users may start injecting themselves in other places, such as:<br>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The feet (between the toes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Behind the knees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> In the groin area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> The neck<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infections or abscesses may occur in the above areas.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Intravenous use raises the risk of HIV infection and the transmission of Hepatitis C.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Withdrawal symptoms\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Withdrawal may occur within 6-12 hours after the last usage. Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 24&ndash;48 hours after the last dose of heroin and subside after approximately 5 days. However, some people have shown persistent withdrawal signs for many months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symptoms of withdrawal may include:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> Restlessness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Muscle and bone pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insomnia<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diarrhoea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Hot and cold flushes, sweating &nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Sporadic leg movements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sneezing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Yawning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Craving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Dry mouth&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is recommended that withdrawal from the drug be conducted under the care of trained medical professionals together with experienced, trained, addiction counsellors.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overdose potential\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overdoses from heroin have been on the rise. There is the potential for a person to overdose the first time they use the substance.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An overdose may cause low blood pressure, weak pulse, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, coma and\/or death.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<span style=\"margin-top:40px;\" class=\"btn-we-can-help ugb-highlight\">If drugs are controlling your life, we can help.<\/span>\n<a class=\"link-green\" href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">TALK TO US NOW<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column treatment is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img width=\"636\" height=\"336\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7832\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02.jpg 636w, https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/CRRC_PageTreatment_Image_02-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">12 Steps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Drug Rehabilitation Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"> The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre&hellip;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"\/drug-rehabilitation\">View our treatment program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"a-call-away\"><div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h2>Addiction Rehabilitation &amp;<br>Treatment is <strong>a Phone Call Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centres provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it&rsquo;s just a phone call away. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-details inline\"><div class=\"icon tel\"><div><div>Johannesburg Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27748951043\">+27 74 895 1043<\/a><\/div><div>Outpatients Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27824589408\">+27 82 458 9408<\/a><\/div><div>Pretoria Admissions: <a style=\"color:#A2D23F;font-size: 1.2em;text-decoration: none;\" href=\"tel:+27826533311\">+27 82 653 3311<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"testimonials\">\n      <div>\n        <h3>Stories of Recovery<\/h3>\n        <div>\n          <ul>\n                <li data-id=\"1\">\n              <div>The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Oliver VG<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/oliver-vg\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"2\">\n              <div>On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.<\/div>\n              <div><span>Johan B<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/johan-b\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"3\">\n              <div>I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!<\/div>\n              <div><span>Carla S<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/carla-s\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n                <li data-id=\"4\">\n              <div>\"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery.  I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build.\"<\/div>\n              <div><span>Angelique J<\/span><\/div>\n              <a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px;\" class=\"btn hollow\" href=\"\/testimonials\/angelique-j\">Read more<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n          <div style=\"display: none\">\n            <a href=\"\/testimonials\" class=\"btn hollow\">Read more<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/testimonials-bg.jpg\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"controls\" data-section=\"stories\">\n            <span class=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-left-circle.svg\" alt=\"Left Arrow\"><\/span>\n            <span class=\"right\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/crossroads2019\/img\/arrow-right-circle.svg\" alt=\"Right Arrow\"><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<div class=\"medical-aids\">\n<h3>Approved Medical Aids<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"contained\">\n<div>\n<img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bestmed Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bestmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Bonitas Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Bonitas-2.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"CAMAF Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/CAMAF-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Discovery Health Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/DiscoveryHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Fedhealth Logo\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Fedhealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Government Employees Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/GEMS-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Liberty Corporate\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Liberty-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"Medihelp Medical Scheme\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medihelp-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Medshield-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Momentum-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Netcare-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/PnP-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Polmed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/ResolutionHealth-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/SasolMed-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Sizwe-1.jpg\"><img itemprop=\"contentURL\" width=\"100\" height=\"45\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Topmed-1.jpg\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"addiction-types\"><div><div class=\"contained\"><h3>Types of Addictions<\/h3><div class=\"wp-block-columns has-5-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Drug Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is drug addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/drug-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Alcohol Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have a problem with alcohol? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/alcohol-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Sex Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is sex addiction controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/sex-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Gambling Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your urge to gamble controlling your life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/gambling-addiction\/\">More info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<h4>Food Addiction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Is food your crutch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"button\"><a href=\"\/food-addiction\/\">More info<\/a>  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><p class=\"button-form\"><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heroin addiction Reach out now, we can help Home \/ Page If drugs are controlling your life, we can help. TALK TO US NOW Drug Rehabilitation Treatment The idea of overcoming drug addiction may seem overwhelming, but recovery is possible at Crossroads Recovery Centre&hellip;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10865,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-37","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","entry"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640-80x80.jpg",80,80,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640-300x165.jpg",300,165,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false],"large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false],"alm-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/brain-3446307_640.jpg",640,352,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Heroin addictionReach out now, we can helpHome \/ Page What is heroin addiction? Heroin is an illegal substance in the opioid class, (other opioids include morphine, codeine, pethidine, buprenorphine and methadone). According to a report published in April 2019 by ENACT, a European-Union funded project that tracks organized crime in Africa, South Africa is in the grip of a heroin crisis. Up until the 1990&rsquo;s, heroin was generally only available in the metropoles and purchased by white males. This demographic has changed, with heroin addiction now prevalent in towns and rural areas.&nbsp;Heroin primarily comes from Afghanistan, the world&rsquo;s largest grower&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"admin","url":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/author\/admin\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}