The image of the Heroin Addict v. The Opioid Pharmaceutical "Pill Popping" Addict

[Seven-One-Eight]

The image of the Heroin Addict v. The Opioid Pharmaceutical "Pill Popping" Addict

In mainstream America, there is no more stigmatized/demonized drug than heroin. Simply hearing the word "heroin" strikes fear into the hearts of many. Using heroin is widely considered (again, talking about mainstream media here) to be one of the most detrimental choices one can make in terms of his/her health and future. More often than not, heroin users are viewed as junkies who chose to waste their lives becoming slaves to a substance.

On the other hand, there are the Opioid Pharmaceuticals. For sake of argument, let's focus on Oxycodone and Morphine. As many of us at BL are aware of, these substances share many similarities both structurally and in terms of their effects with heroin. The general public, however, is not aware of this. This could be one of the several reasons a pill popping addiction is much less taboo, at least in the media, than a Heroin addiction.

Ultimately what I'm trying to get at here is whether or not society's view of a Heroin addiction being much more severe than an Opioid pill popping addiction is valid. Personally, I feel it definitely is not. In order to properly evaluate the validity of the statement, it's necessary to analyze the physiological effects both of these substances impress upon the user. From what I've learned, these two substances affect the body in very similar ways in terms of the high, addiction potential, and side effects. I could be wrong though, so feel free to prove me wrong if anything I stated was not true.

As of now though, I'm convinced that an addiction to Oxycodone or Morphine is just as severe (or not severe, depending on who you're talking to) as a heroin addiction. I'd like to hear what you guys have to say on this issue. Can we dismiss this view to be one of societal ignorance?

 

[Tommyboy]

I agree that heroin has a horrible stigma attached to it. However, mainstream media has been documenting that abuse of opiates, mainly OxyContin, is very similar to heroin and the switch from pharmaceuticals opiates to heroin is mainly due to cost.

Pills addiction is rationalized by the media by saying that many addiction simply happen by pain patients becoming addicted to their legal prescription. This is certaintly true in many instances.

Also, they are now saying that the image of the heroin user has changed, from inner-city lower class people, to suburban middle to upper-class people. I'm sure that you have heard about all the attention that heroin is getting on Long Island (I see your from Brooklyn) since it's a white suburban thing now.

 

[pallidamors]

I look at heroin users as being thrifty, cost-minded people who aren't afraid to save a few dollars. Oh wait, maybe I'm biased. I do think your basic point is valid, however we have to keep in mind that many pharmaceutical addicts have prescriptions for their DOC, and therefore don't need to resort to illegal means to support their habits. I'm not saying all heroin junkies are criminals (aside from the fact that heroin use is illegal), since I have known many people on dope who didn't steal or anything to support their habit, but certainly that stereotype does have a grain of truth to it. I mean if you see someone in the street with tracks on their arm, chances are that theyre not getting those from slamming roxis.

 

[ados]

Some guy I used to know a long time ago knew I was a drug user, and he was too, but mostly pot and shit. Anyways, we were having a conversation one day, and he asks me, "do you think you would ever inject heroin?" And I was like..."well, I already have, more times than I can count." His jaw just kind of dropped, and didn't really talk to me after that anymore. Its funny too because he had no problem popping oxy.

If you have friends that you want to keep, for fuck's sake, do not let them know you have used heroin. It has a VERY negative stigma attached to it. Heroin use has been systematically demonized for the past 100 years.

I think using meth is even less taboo than using heroin; around here at least.

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

I look at heroin users as being thrifty, cost-minded people who aren't afraid to save a few dollars. Oh wait, maybe I'm biased. I do think your basic point is valid, however we have to keep in mind that many pharmaceutical addicts have prescriptions for their DOC, and therefore don't need to resort to illegal means to support their habits. I'm not saying all heroin junkies are criminals (aside from the fact that heroin use is illegal), since I have known many people on dope who didn't steal or anything to support their habit, but certainly that stereotype does have a grain of truth to it. I mean if you see someone in the street with tracks on their arm, chances are that theyre not getting those from slamming roxis.

I should have specified that what I meant in terms of pharmies was the illegal use of them, sorry.

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

I agree that heroin has a horrible stigma attached to it. However, mainstream media has been documenting that abuse of opiates, mainly OxyContin, is very similar to heroin and the switch from pharmaceuticals opiates to heroin is mainly due to cost.

Pills addiction is rationalized by the media by saying that many addiction simply happen by pain patients becoming addicted to their legal prescription. This is certaintly true in many instances.

Also, they are now saying that the image of the heroin user has changed, from inner-city lower class people, to suburban middle to upper-class people. I'm sure that you have heard about all the attention that heroin is getting on Long Island (I see your from Brooklyn) since it's a white suburban thing now.

Oh yeah, I've definitely heard about the shift, but from my experiences many others have not. I think the old stereotype of the junkie shooting up in an alley is still engraved into a lot of people's minds.

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

I look at heroin users as being thrifty, cost-minded people who aren't afraid to save a few dollars. Oh wait, maybe I'm biased. I do think your basic point is valid, however we have to keep in mind that many pharmaceutical addicts have prescriptions for their DOC, and therefore don't need to resort to illegal means to support their habits. I'm not saying all heroin junkies are criminals (aside from the fact that heroin use is illegal), since I have known many people on dope who didn't steal or anything to support their habit, but certainly that stereotype does have a grain of truth to it. I mean if you see someone in the street with tracks on their arm, chances are that theyre not getting those from slamming roxis.

I agree with the first sentence in your response;however, people not into the drug scene will strongly disagree. To many, one use of heroin is deemed enough to make you a junkie for life. This obviously comes from ignorance on the substances - people assume OxyContin is safer than heroin because it's made in a lab by a company. I understand what you're saying about the criminal activity surrounding Heroin also, but I'm more concerned on the effects of these drugs. Let's assume there are two people, one an oxy addict and the other a heroin addict. The only crimes these two people commit are the actual purchase and use of these drugs; they do not commit any crimes regarding earning money for these drugs. Assuming that this is the case, does it really matter whether or not someone is slamming roxies or dope? I'm just speaking from a physiological standpoint, which states that an addiction to oxycodone is similar to one to heroin.

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

Another point I would like to make goes back to Ados' post. I have used heroin in the past, and I am by no means an addict. But God forbid any of my friends found out, I wouldn't doubt them labeling me as a waste of life.

 

[hobhead]

the existence of needle freaks scares and mystifies people that don't have what ever it is that allows us to use junk and gear .

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

the existence of needle freaks scares and mystifies people that don't have what ever it is that allows us to use junk and gear .

Couldn't have said it better myself. Needles scare the shit out of people.

 

[pallidamors]

I agree with the first sentence in your response;however, people not into the drug scene will strongly disagree. To many, one use of heroin is deemed enough to make you a junkie for life. This obviously comes from ignorance on the substances - people assume OxyContin is safer than heroin because it's made in a lab by a company. I understand what you're saying about the criminal activity surrounding Heroin also, but I'm more concerned on the effects of these drugs. Let's assume there are two people, one an oxy addict and the other a heroin addict. The only crimes these two people commit are the actual purchase and use of these drugs; they do not commit any crimes regarding earning money for these drugs. Assuming that this is the case, does it really matter whether or not someone is slamming roxies or dope? I'm just speaking from a physiological standpoint, which states that an addiction to oxycodone is similar to one to heroin.

I would agree with what you are saying. Opiate addiction is opiate addiction. Yes, healthwise, you do run more risks slamming street dope, but there are ways to remain sanitary; however, this does require constant vigilance.

Also I don't expect many folks to agree with my first sentence, I just threw it out there as an (admittedly productive and societally-contributing) heroin addict myself =]

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

I would agree with what you are saying. Opiate addiction is opiate addiction. Yes, healthwise, you do run more risks slamming street dope, but there are ways to remain sanitary; however, this does require constant vigilance.

Also I don't expect many folks to agree with my first sentence, I just threw it out there as an (admittedly productive and societally-contributing) heroin addict myself =]

Very well put. As the idea of a functioning Heroin user is outrageous to many people, there is no wonder as to why people wouldn't agree. If people were just aware of the similarities between these substances, some of these stigmas may be able to be lifted.

 

[pallidamors]

Very well put. As the idea of a functioning Heroin user is outrageous to many people, there is no wonder as to why people wouldn't agree. If people were just aware of the similarities between these substances, some of these stigmas may be able to be lifted.

Well, exactly. And most heroin users probably are functioning individuals (I believe only something like 10-20% of regular users are physically addicted?) but its the kind of thing that's kept under wraps. I mean many of my good friends don't know that I shoot. Sometimes I wonder how one can not notice, but I guess they manage.

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

Well, exactly. And most heroin users probably are functioning individuals (I believe only something like 10-20% of regular users are physically addicted?) but its the kind of thing that's kept under wraps. I mean many of my good friends don't know that I shoot. Sometimes I wonder how one can not notice, but I guess they manage.

Exactly, only around 10-20% are physically addicted. Again, if you said this to a non user they would probably laugh in your face, it's crazy.

 

[evilthree]

Much of the stigma surrounding heroin comes from the extreme ends of the spectrum, the hardcore junkies who have been slamming dope for years, and live solely to get their next bag. The other major source of stigma is the nature of the black market; when sticking to pharmaceuticals, you know what you're getting. When copping dope on the black market, you really take a crap shot. The media is a fickle, emotional thing. Unlike the internets, the old media tends to drive itself on fear mongering and appealing to emotional sentiment as opposed to logic, sense, and harm reduction. A bad batch goes out, a few people die, and people jump on the heroin, when usually a bad batch has little to nothing to do with actual heroin content and more to do with the cut of the batch. This stigma helps push chippers/dabblers into the closet. There are many functional addicts, many chippers, and many people who have tried or flirted with heroin but moved on. These people, by and large, are not going to expose themselves. They manage their lives well enough, why expose themselves to the stigma? I feel as if times are changing, I think the heroin stigma is very largely generational. The stigma will not be eliminated, but I know plenty of people who have tried, are curious about, or just plain don't care if someone uses dope that you would never expect just by looking

The successful heroin user is a specter, under the radar of pretty much everyone unless they confide in them

http://reason.com/archives/2003/06/01/h

 

[Seven-One-Eight]

Much of the stigma surrounding heroin comes from the extreme ends of the spectrum, the hardcore junkies who have been slamming dope for years, and live solely to get their next bag. The other major source of stigma is the nature of the black market; when sticking to pharmaceuticals, you know what you're getting. When copping dope on the black market, you really take a crap shot. The media is a fickle, emotional thing. Unlike the internets, the old media tends to drive itself on fear mongering and appealing to emotional sentiment as opposed to logic, sense, and harm reduction. A bad batch goes out, a few people die, and people jump on the heroin, when usually a bad batch has little to nothing to do with actual heroin content and more to do with the cut of the batch. This stigma helps push chippers/dabblers into the closet. There are many functional addicts, many chippers, and many people who have tried or flirted with heroin but moved on. These people, by and large, are not going to expose themselves. They manage their lives well enough, why expose themselves to the stigma? I feel as if times are changing, I think the heroin stigma is very largely generational. The stigma will not be eliminated, but I know plenty of people who have tried, are curious about, or just plain don't care if someone uses dope that you would never expect just by looking

The successful heroin user is a specter, under the radar of pretty much everyone unless they confide in them

http://reason.com/archives/2003/06/01/h

There's so much truth in your post, and thanks for the great article as well. I too think the stigma is generational, but it is one that's going to be harder to break down than Cannabis for obvious reasons.

 

[RedRum OG]

i think the reason heroin is worse than pill poppin is cuz dope is safer(maybe) and easier to start shooting it. IV ruins lives. pill IV'ing is not very common cuz its pretty stupid and it just hasnt caught on (yet?)

i used to be a pill poppin animal. everyone in my school loved to call me that and i guess they liked it about me... kinda fucked up.... but like if i mentioned heroin they freak out like omg thats hardfuckingcore. not that ive ever touched it, just comments about it.

 

[pallidamors]

i think the reason heroin is worse than pill poppin is cuz dope is safer(maybe) and easier to start shooting it. IV ruins lives. pill IV'ing is not very common cuz its pretty stupid and it just hasnt caught on (yet?)

so heroin is worse because its safer? i dont follow.

 

[RedRum OG]

^ no sorry. im stoned.

i meant like becuase its normal to shoot heroin, it is easier to start doing that, so youre more likely to come full blown addicted and to raise your tolerance out of control. i think im guessing some day ill start straight dope with snorting and then progress to IV to save money and be more efficient, like all beginning addicts rationalize the starting of IV use

with the pills i do (mostly oxy, some hydro and morph) it works well to eat them, and i snort sometimes. but i wouldnt ever start shooting because thats crazy shit and dangerous and i wouldnt know anyone to teach me how etc. and this is the mindset of all the pill poppers i know... they pop em dont bang em.

 

[Tommyboy]

I think another factor is the view of the "college pill popper" as being that friend that everybody has in the group. I'm sure that a lot of people, out parents included, had friends that popped pills in college and that was fine. Now there are obviously many functional heroin users, many in college too, but you won't see them being viewed as funtional contributing members of society.

I am not sure of the %, but there are a lot of people that only choose heroin due to price, and if pharmaceuticals like Oxy were cheaper, they would be used since you know the dose, and it feels pretty much the same anyways.

I do heroin for price and availability, but prefer Oxy.