What is Harm Reduction?
The goal of the harm reduction philosophy is to reduce the number of recreational heroin users. They approach this by educating the user on safer methods of taking the drug. The health care workers do this by education and availability of sterile needles and operating safe injection sites etc. Users are educated about preventing overdose from occuring by trying a small amount of a drug where the strength is unknown. The use of more than one drug at the same time is also discouraged. The needles and syringes are supplied by the governments that support the harm reduction approach. These supplies, education and consultations are provided in a strictly confidential manner.
Withdrawal
A condition resulting from withdrawal of heroin is called the withdrawal syndrome. This can begin starting within 6-24 hours. This time frame can fluctuate according to the degree of tolerance and the amount of the last dose taken.
Some of the symptoms that an individual can experience are: sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, persistent and intense penile erection in males (priapism), extra sensitivity of the genitals in females, general feeling of heaviness, cramp-like pains in the limbs, yawning and lacrimation, sleep difficulties, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches not precipitated by any physical trauma; nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, goose bumps, cramps, and fever.
In heroin addicts with a high tolerance, heroin withdrawal may even lead to death. Another common complain of heroin addicts is the painful condition called "itchy-blood". This results in compulsive scratching and bruises rupture the skin leaving scabs. Muscle spasm is also noted in users that quit "cold turkey".
To ease the physical complains, methadone or buprenorphrine are used.
References
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin
