Heroin Addiction & Treatment
Heroin use has spread rapidly in recent years. Derived from a flower, the opium poppy, it can be found as a white or brown powder, or a sticky, black tar-like substance.
Heroin can be abused in numerous ways including injecting, snorting, or smoking it. It is commonly known by other street names including smack, horse, hell dust, and big H. Fortunately, heroin treatment can help.
Heroin works by binding to receptors on cells and can create feelings of euphoria that are often described as a “rush” or “surge”. Much of the recent growth in abuse of heroin can be attributed to the increased availability of prescription painkillers. Prescription opioids produce similar side effects which can create a path to heroin use. Many who are addicted to heroin often report that they first misused opioid painkillers. While using prescription painkillers does not mean you will begin using heroin, it can be a precursor to continued misuse of substances.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Abuse
The powerful side effects of heroin abuse can cause a person to develop physical dependencies quickly.
Over time, dependency is coupled with increased tolerance, causing a person to need greater doses in order to achieve the same effects. Even if a person were to try to stop using heroin, they would experience withdrawal symptoms that may be so debilitating that they would need to continue using just to avoid them. This makes addiction to heroin especially difficult to overcome alone.
Signs of Heroin Use
When a person is high on heroin, they may exhibit a number of physical and psychological symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Itchiness
- Flushed skin
- Drowsiness
- Clouded thinking
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heaviness of limbs
- Slowed heart rate
Physical Side Effects of Heroin Use
In some cases, other side effects may occur. While not as common, it is possible to experience the following:
- Anxiety
- Shortness of breath
- Tremors
- Headache
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
Behavioral Signs of Heroin Addiction
There are several behavioral signs that may indicate there is a growing problem with addiction. If you suspect your loved one is using heroin, you may observe the following behaviors or changes:
- “Track marks” on the body
- Legal trouble
- Lying or secretive behavior
- Missing valuables or money
- Use of slang referencing heroin
- Drug paraphernalia
- Changes in mood
Long-Term Effects of Heroin Addiction
Heroin is an incredibly potent drug with a high risk of death due to overdose. Those who use heroin also put themselves at risk for a number of other diseases and illnesses that may be life-threatening. Many experience any of the following:
- Collapsed veins
- Infections of the heart lining and valves
- Skin infections
- Lung disease
- Increased risk for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
If you are considering treatment for yourself or a loved one, call us today.
Signs of Heroin Overdose and Heroin Withdrawal
The evolution of heroin addiction varies from person to person and no two people will have identical experiences.
In most cases, however, withdrawal symptoms may begin to show within 6 to 12 hours after the drug was last used. Withdrawal symptoms may last anywhere from a couple of days to over a week. Many symptoms of withdrawal are incredibly uncomfortable, and they can become life-threatening depending on their severity.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Body aches
- Restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Depressed feelings
Signs of Heroin Overdose
Heroin is incredibly addictive and withdrawal symptoms can be impossible to manage alone. These factors can cause abuse of the drug to continue in perpetuity and increase the risk of overdose. The most common signs of overdose are:
- Blue-colored lips and/or nails
- Difficulty breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
- Muscle spasms
- Drowsiness
- Weak pulse
- Delirium
- Low blood pressure
- Coma
Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Relapse is incredibly common in heroin addiction making it especially critical for a person to enlist the help of professionals in order to improve recovery outcomes.
Treatment for heroin addiction often requires a person to complete a medical detox first. This ensures the withdrawal process is safe and as comfortable as possible. Under the care of medical professionals, a person may have access to medications, therapy, and other resources to start the recovery process as quickly as possible. In most cases, it is in a person’s best interest to move directly from detox into an inpatient treatment program.
Inpatient or residential treatment followed by intensive outpatient treatment and aftercare is extremely beneficial to recovery from heroin addiction because it minimizes the risk of relapse and the influence of enabling peers and environments. This form of treatment completely fills a person’s day with activities that are entirely focused on healing from addiction. This may include individual therapy, group therapy, experiential treatment, and other forms of behavioral treatment. By helping clients identify the underlying causes of substance abuse, they may begin working to develop the life skills and habits needed to support long-term sobriety.
Even after completing a long-term treatment program, the risk of relapse is always present. Sobriety is a life-long journey that requires active engagement and care to maintain. For those recovering from heroin addiction, aftercare services are a vital part of maintaining sobriety. This allows a person to stay closely connected with the sober community and continue receiving the benefits of therapeutic intervention. For some, this may mean transitioning into a sober community before resuming independent living. For others, it may mean simply enrolling in outpatient treatment or joining a support group to continue working on their recovery.
If you or a loved one are suffering from heroin addiction, we’re here to help. Contact us today and speak with one of our trusted recovery advisors.
