Heroin addiction affects people across the United States every day. The popular opiate drug is injected, smoked, or snorted for an instant high. There are many misconceptions about heroin addiction. While many people try heroin in their teens or 20s, heroin addiction is more common among people 30 and older. Contrary to popular belief, many heroin users maintain relatively normal lives. They attend school, have careers, and are parents. Unfortunately, heroin is highly addictive and has a high risk of overdose. A heroin detox center can help those living with heroin addiction safely eliminate the drug from their system and enter recovery.
If you or a loved one uses heroin, seek addiction treatment support today. Learn the signs of a heroin overdose and talk to your loved ones about heroin addiction and treatment plans. Don’t let another day go by without help.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Heroin converts to morphine in the bloodstream. Morphine blocks pain receptors and causes a euphoric high that makes heroin a popular drug of choice. The more often someone takes heroin, the more heroin they will need to ingest for the same high. Because heroin tolerance builds quickly, the drug is highly addictive, and overdose is common. When a person becomes addicted to heroin, they may need to use every 6 to 12 hours to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Over time, this can take a toll on their health and overall life. Symptoms and signs of heroin use include:
- Weight loss
- Changes in mood
- Scabs from skin picking
- Dry mouth
- Hallucinations
- Slurred speech
- Lack of motivation
- Delusions
- Self-isolation
- Shortness of breath
- Warm, flushed skin
- Track marks from injection
- Constricted pupils
- Paranoia
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety
- Changes in personal hygiene
Heroin and other opiates are hard to stop taking without an addiction treatment program. Over time, opiates change the brain’s chemistry. Attempting to quit cold turkey often leads to relapse, overdose, and suicidal behavior. When a person tries to quit using heroin on their own, they will experience withdrawal, often called “dope sickness.” It can be impossible to avoid relapse, other drug use, or reckless behavior during withdrawal because the brain believes it needs heroin to survive. Safe and effective detox is the number one reason to seek heroin addiction treatment.
Why You Need Heroin Addiction Treatment
The initial days of heroin detox can be overwhelming. A heroin addiction treatment program can limit access to heroin and other opioids while providing medically assisted detox to ease withdrawal. Many addiction therapy programs will use medications like Suboxone to decrease opiates in the bloodstream gradually. Medically assisted detox can also provide people with the medical support they need for health complications that may come with detox. During detox, people may experience:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Self-harming behavior
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Profuse sweating
Heroin detox programs offer safe and effective detox support. They can provide clients with safe and comfortable environments during hallucinations, delusions, and night terrors. Those in residential programs are less likely to engage in self-harm during detox. Both inpatient and outpatient programs give clients the medical and psychological help they need for safe recovery. Attempting to quit opiates cold turkey can be very dangerous. Dope sickness leads many people to other drug use and overdose. Without immediate medical attention, overdose often leads to death.
Get Help Today From a Qualified Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin, don’t wait for the signs of a heroin overdose to manifest. Call a national helpline or seek local treatment programs now. There are countless resources on state and national levels to support heroin detox and recovery. If you or someone in your life needs immediate medical attention for a heroin overdose, call 911 now.
