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Heroin Addiction
Information on Heroin Abuse and Addiction
If you are currently suffering from heroin addiction or heroin abuse, then you need help now. Call 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869), and get help now for heroin addiction.
Heroin is an opiate synthetically derived from morphine. Its use began as a pain medication in 1898 and was used as such up until 1914 when it became labeled a controlled substance under the Harrison Narcotic Act. Heroin abuse can easily become heroin addiction because of the highly addictive nature of the drug.
The Dangers of Heroin Addiction and Abuse
Heroin may be found in different forms, but pure heroin is a white powder. It may be injected, snorted or smoked. It is rare to find people suffering from heroin abuse for a long period of time. Heroin abuse generally turns into heroin addiction quite rapidly.
People suffering from heroin addiction who inject the drug experience the greatest intensity and most rapid onset of euphoria. The effects of heroin are felt within seven to eight seconds of injection, while they are felt within 10-15 minutes of smoking or snorting. Heroin addiction through smoking and snorting has become more popular because of the fear associated with sharing needles. In addition, some people mistakenly believe that sniffing or smoking heroin will not lead to heroin addiction. The truth is, people who smoke or snort heroin will suffer the same effects of heroin addiction as those who inject it.
Heroin abusers will feel a rush or surge of pleasurable sensations while under the influence of heroin. This euphoric feeling is usually followed by feelings of warmth, dry mouth, and heaviness in the arms and legs.
The Consequences of Heroin Abuse and Addiction
The consequences of heroin abuse and addiction include:
- Abscesses and other soft-tissue infections
- Bacterial infections
- Collapsed veins
- Drowsiness
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lung complications
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- Nausea
- Severe itching
- Slowed breathing
- Slowed heart beat
- Slowed mental function
- Vomiting
Heroin abuse will turn into heroin addiction very quickly because heroin abuse produces tolerance and a physical dependence on the drug. While other drugs may cause only a psychological dependence, the physical dependence associated with heroin addiction can be deadly. Withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction begin within a few hours of the last use. These painful symptoms include:
- Bone pain
- Cold flashes
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Involuntary leg movements
- Muscle pain
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
Withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction usually last about a week, and while they are not life-threatening, they can be very painful. Because of this, anyone suffering from heroin addiction should be admitted to a heroin detox program followed by a heroin addiction treatment program for the best chance of recovery.
Due to all of the medical complications associated with heroin addiction, it is strongly suggested that the heroin detox program you choose be medically driven, with a 24-hour nursing and addiction treatment staff. Lastly, the detox program should be located within a heroin addiction treatment facility for a seamless transition into a longer-termed addiction treatment program.
Treatment for Heroin Addiction and Abuse
Methadone has been used to treat heroin addiction and abuse for more than 30 years. The problem with this method is that methadone is also physically addicting, and methadone addiction is more painful to detox from than heroin addiction. For this reason, we recommend that methadone be used only in the heroin detox program to help people detox from their heroin addiction. Methadone in reduced doses helps to suppress heroin withdrawal symptoms and permits you to be free from the uncontrolled, compulsive, and disruptive behavior associated with detox. Utilized by the heroin detox program in this fashion, you will not develop a methadone addiction.
Along with medical stabilization and the management of heroin withdrawal symptoms, a heroin detox program needs to be able to evaluate you and your need for a heroin addiction treatment program. It is found that the vast majority of people who enter a detox program and who do not go on to attend an inpatient heroin addiction treatment program, end up in relapse. For this reason, it is imperative that the detox program be located within a heroin addiction treatment facility to allow for a seamless transition into the addiction treatment program. At a minimum, the heroin addiction treatment program should be licensed by the state in which it operates and accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In addition, the heroin addiction treatment program you choose should include a comprehensive relapse prevention program and a family recovery program.
Do not be confused: a heroin detox program is not a heroin addiction treatment program. A heroin detox program is for medical and psychiatric stabilization, while the goal of a heroin addiction treatment program is to build upon the gains made while in detox.
We realize that looking for an effective heroin abuse or heroin addiction treatment program can be very confusing. One program may have one philosophy while another program may have an entirely different one. It is important to match the heroin addiction treatment program's services with your treatment needs. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
If you're suffering from heroin addiction or abuse, call our toll-free helpline at 1-866-99-DETOX (1-866-993-3869). Our heroin addiction treatment professionals are available to help you find the best course of treatment for your individual needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call now.
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