Heroin is one of the most notorious and feared of all prohibited drugs. Most people have heard horror stories about how dangerous and addictive this opioid-adjacent drug can be. The average person may find the idea of an injectable drug frightening and many people have a natural aversion to needles. They may feel like they cannot understand anyone willing to use a drug they associate with syringes.
The common perception of heroin and heroin users makes it far too easy for the average person to dehumanize someone for substance abuse issues, but heroin addiction is rarely the result of someone’s bad choices or intentional misconduct. Heroin abuse and charges related to heroin use are often the result of medical issues and inadequate care.
Acknowledging the underlying addiction that contributes to your substance abuse could help if you find yourself facing heroin charges.
How admitting an addiction can help you in court
Addiction often starts with a medical issue. The research into heroin addiction in the United States shows that many of those struggling with drug abuse started with something safer. As many as 80% of heroin users may have first started out using prescription medication.
Frequently, addiction has its roots in an injury or severe illness that necessitates prescription pain management. Doctors stop prescribing medication without helping patients taper off their use, leaving them desperate for pain relief or frantic to avoid withdrawal.
While explaining the origin of your addiction certainly does not excuse breaking the law, it can make you more sympathetic to a jury and also potentially help you qualify for drug court proceedings.
Admitting the issue can help you rebuild your future
Some people will continue trying to live around their dependence on pain medication and later heroin until they find themselves facing criminal prosecution. Your arrest can be a wake-up call that helps you regain control over your life and your health.
You can choose to voluntarily undergo treatment at the same time that you start planning to protect yourself in court. Those who demonstrate a willingness to admit their own mistakes and to seek treatment on their own may be in a better position when their day in court comes. These proactive efforts can also help those who want to prevent a drug offense from affecting their professional licensing or custody rights as a parent.
Learning more about the impact of drug charges and different defense strategies can help you take charge of your future at a time when you might otherwise feel disempowered.