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  2. How Opioid Abuse Leads to Heroin Use

How Opioid Abuse Leads to Heroin Use

Last Updated: Wednesday July 28, 2021


Opioids, pain relievers, overdose rates have continued to increase over the past five years. Between 2013 and 2014, heroin use has risen sharply, and deaths from heroin use increased 28 percent. 

Drug poisoning deaths involving opioids, 1999-2014

Since 2010, heroin deaths have significantly increased by 248 percent. 

Why is this happening?

  • Heroin availability at the retail level in many US markets is a high purity
  • The number of heroin users has more than doubled over the past five years, with a 51 percent increase between 2013 and 2014
  • Approximately 80 percent of new heroin users are coming to heroin after having abusing prescription opioids. Heroin, on the other hand, has varying purities, adulterants, making it much easier to overdose.

See the progression from opiod pain medication to heroin abuse. Watch video.

   
     
      Tags
      CDC report on drug abuse, drug abuse, heroin and opioid awareness week, heroin deaths, opioid use linked to heroin, overdoses by heroin

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