Heroin addiction is a very serious problem and not only does it impact on individuals but also societies and nations. Afghanistan is one of the key sources of the deadly drug since it produces more than 75% of the global heroin. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has given serious attention to the situation and has acknowledged the reality that over 800,000 people aged 15 to 64 are regular users of heroin in Pakistan. This startling figure illuminates an emerging crisis that is highly connected to international trafficking and domestic vulnerabilities.

Heroin Addiction Cycle: The Destructive Cycle.

Heroin addiction does not begin with one dose, it is a cycle that consumes people and leads them down the road to ruin themselves. At first, heroin use may appear to be a short-term solution to individual problems but with time, the body becomes physically addicted. The more people become tolerant, the more they need in order to get the same high, which results in a more destructive addiction cycle.

This addiction does not merely cause damage to the body. It also causes havoc in relationships, careers, and personal well-being. In many cases, people will resort to crime, abandonment, and isolation to satisfy their addiction, which only drives them even more into such a state of despair.

Alarming Issue: The Reality of Heroin Use on the Streets.

In Pakistan, heroin is not only seen in the form of drug consumption but also in the social corruption it causes. Heroin addicts are often spotted in locations where they have become a part of the dirt and rubble and almost become the same as the dirt and rubble.

The same areas where the heroin addicts would be found, would be the very areas where the litter would be scattered in all corners, the very areas in Pakistan, where the streets are considered to be. In their unhappiness, these addicts tend to seem like the rubbish themselves, rejected and forgotten.

This is an ugly sight of the hopelessness heroin causes. In such cases, unfortunately, heroin users are pretty likely to receive less respect than even stray dogs. They are treated more with contempt than compassion by society, which strengthens the process of marginalization.

Short-Term Effects of Heroin Addiction?

The short-term effects of heroin are devastating, as is the case with most narcotics. At the early stages of use, heroin produces a rush of strong euphoria and makes one feel relaxed and even sedated. But this temporary elevation is at a very high price. Short-term effects include: 

• Profound drowsiness and tiredness.
• Respiratory and tachycardia deceleration.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor motor and judgment skills.
• Unconscious or overdose in extreme cases.

Conversely, heroin is addictive, and it is even more addictive in comparison with other substances such as cocaine. Research indicates that cocaine can be very addictive, but heroin addiction, owing to its strong influence on the brain, has a higher probability of causing long-term addiction and devastation. When addiction ensues, the users will struggle to get out of it even when they realize that they are inflicting damage to their bodies and their lives.

How IRCL is Contributing to Fighting the Heroin Addiction in Pakistan

Treatment, support, and rehabilitation of the people fighting heroin addiction in Pakistan are being actively led by organizations such as IRC. It was founded on the basis of assisting people to overcome the terrible circle of drug addiction. IRC provides medical and psychological assistance to addicts to restore their health and become a part of society again.

Extensive Treatment Plans

IRC provides various services that aim at treating both physical and psychological components of the addiction to heroin. These include:

• Detoxification: This is the initial process in recovery and involves withdrawal of the drug from the body, which is well done under the supervision of a medical officer to prevent any complications and withdrawal effects.
• Therapy and Counseling: It is practical to use psychological counseling to help solve the underlying causes of addiction. IRC offers individual and group therapy, which helps addicts to face the emotional triggers that cause them to abuse the substance.
• Rehabilitation Programs: In addition to detoxification and therapy, IRC offers rehabilitation programs that aid people in developing coping skills, self-control, and self-worth, which are all essential to recovery in the long term.

Reintegration into Society

The important aspect of the IRC mission is not only to assist people in quitting taking heroin but to integrate them back into society. Heroin addicts are very likely to be alone and disconnected from their societies. IRC works to:

• Develop social skills: Through involvement of addicts in group therapies and community support programs, they assist addicts to reestablish contact with their families and communities.
• Employment Support: IRC assists people in gaining back their independence by helping them to find some work and resume a normal life.

Conclusion

The problem of heroin addiction in Pakistan is not a personal one- it is a national crisis. Such an endless loop of addiction, social stigma, and physical depreciation requires a complex solution to the issue. The treatment programs, publicity, and rehabilitation efforts should coordinate their efforts to give an addict an opportunity to recover.

Although the short-term effects of heroin might provide some relief to the pain, emotional or physical, the long-term effects are, in the majority of cases irreversible. To fight this menace that is on the rise, it is important that Pakistan should inculcate the culture of sympathy and empathy, giving rehabilitation and not condemnation. Time to put in perspective the human side of those trapped in the rut of addiction and give them the chance of recovery in the real world.