Medication vs. Heroin
Pain pill addiction is very similar to heroin addiction, the effects and symptoms are practically the same. Painkillers have also been blamed for the relapse of many heroin addicts. What can a prescription and a street drug have in common? Quite simply put, the chemicals (or ingredients) used in most pain killers are the same or quite closely related. Most painkillers contain opiates, opiates are derived from opium, heroin is also one of opium’s derivatives.
Where Did It Come From
Once upon a time, heroin was legal. Created and used successfully to relieve pain for many years, it was believed to be a non-addictive morphine substitute and cough suppressant. Marketed as a cure for morphine addiction, the company that produced heroin was profoundly embarrassed, when it became clear that it was essentially a quicker acting form of morphine. Soon it became apparent heroin’s propensity towards addiction far outweighed its merits.
Other medications were developed from the same components as heroin, becoming the medications we use today. Although newer medications do not produce the same intensity for cravings as its predecessors; they do affect the user quite similarly and have the same fundamental risk of addiction.
The Change From Medication to Recreation
In many cases, prescribed for the temporary relief of pain (an injury or ailment) medication is intended to be use for a short amount of time. When taken as prescribed by, once the pain is relieved, the medication is no longer used. Addicts find this quite a difficult undertaking, the desire, and cravings to continue taking the medication can be irresistible. At this point, the medications transforms from a medical necessity use to a recreational desire.
