Heroin is a highly addictive opiate-based schedule II substance. The possession and use of heroin are illegal in all 50 states. Heroin addiction is extremely dangerous due to its highly addictive nature as well as the fact that it carries a high risk of overdosing or contracting a communicable disease. Although many will never escape the grips of heroin, it is possible and there is hope. The best chance at recovery is through a heroin detox and heroin treatment program.
The Opioid Epidemic
Google strives to provide the most relevant information possible for each and every search query it receives. When someone searches “heroin addiction”, a sidebar displays to the right of the search results with a “Public Health Alert” stating “The US is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. If you or someone you know needs help, effective treatment is available and can save lives.” This is just one way to express the magnitude of the effects this class of drugs is taking on the United States.
How is Heroin Ingested?
There are multiple ways to consume heroin. This includes smoking, snorting, sniffing, and injecting the substance. As addiction to heroin progresses, an individual may start with smoking and progress to injecting it. This is because injections provide direct entry to the bloodstream and near-immediate effects are felt. In order to inject heroin, the substance is melted and injected intravenously using a syringe.
Benzo Withdrawal
As mentioned above, benzodiazepine detox can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. However, proper care can reduce the likelihood of developing these symptoms and ensure a safe detox process. Typically, this means that the individual detoxing will be weaned off of the substance slowly. Depending on their biology, dosage, and frequency of use, the time it takes to tapper off will vary.
What came first, heroin or prescription opioids?
Heroin use and prescription opioid abuse are often intertwined as these drugs all have a similar effect on the brain and body. If someone uses one form of opioid, there is a greater chance they will end up using another. One question in our society is “do addicts start with heroin then move to prescription opioids or the other way around”? People who are prescribed opioid pain medication and develop a dependence may turn to heroin as a cheaper and possibly stronger option. In fact, nearly 80 percent of heroin users have partaken in prior misuses of prescription opioids.
When it comes to getting high regularly, some data does suggest that heroin is the first opioid many people use. One report documented that about a 3rd of users turned to heroin first. Individuals who use heroin and were not previously prescribed pain pills may consume prescription opioids at some point, however, they are likely to have received them via illegal means.
Effects of Heroin Use
Short-Term Effects
Simply put, the immediate effects of heroin use are that of a euphoric high. Other immediate effects include dry mouth, flushed skin, an increase in body temperature, and arms and legs feeling heavy, in addition to nausea, vomiting, and itching. Short term effects that often present in the hours following use include drowsiness, compromised mental function, slowed heart rate, and slowed breathing.
Long-Term Effects
Heroin Addiction Treatment
There are multiple ways to treat heroin addiction. Medication such as methadone, Subutex, and Suboxone allows an individual to be weaned off of heroin without the full withdrawal effects. Medication-assisted treatment is controversial as these medications are addictive in themselves. The ideal treatment option is abstinence. This is a difficult route, as heroin detox can be very uncomfortable and triggers severe cravings. However, getting clean is the ultimate goal and this is the preferred route for many.
Our team at Level Up Treatment specializes in creating an ideal environment and providing effective therapies to help heroin addicts through their recovery. We will develop a personalized treatment plan and lead you to recovery. Get started today!
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