Heroin has highly addictive properties that can lead to long-term abuse even after just one use. Learning more about heroin misuse, along with its symptoms and effects, is a great start to getting the help you or someone else needs.
What Is Heroin and Why is it Addictive?
Heroin is an opioid drug derived from morphine. It’s extracted from the seed of the opium poppy plant and can come in different forms. The drug is usually smoked, injected, or smoked. It’s also a Schedule I drug, which means that it has no current accepted medical use and also has a high potential for abuse.
Since heroin produces an intense rush of euphoria, there is always a high chance that users will chase the high and use the drug again. With repeated use, the brain adapts and slowly develops a tolerance to heroin. The cravings will become stronger and more challenging to control, resulting in compulsive use and loss of control.
Heroin misuse is a serious disease that requires professional help. It slowly rewires the brain’s reward system, and it’s not easy to quit the drug independently. The disease can have serious health consequences and can make it difficult to live a normal life.
What Are the Symptoms of Heroin Misuse?
People who become addicted to heroin will exhibit different signs that show their struggles. Some of these can appear as follows:
Physical Symptoms
Some of the physical symptoms that someone is addicted to heroin are:
- Dry mouth
- Heavy limbs
- Flushed skin
- Track marks on the injection site
- Weight loss from poor nutrition
- Respiratory problems
- Slurred speech
- Constricted pupils
- Extreme itching
Behavioural Symptoms
Here are some of the behavioural signs that a person is addicted to heroin:
- Constantly seeking the drug
- Sudden change or withdrawal from social circles
- Financial troubles from spending money on heroin
- Neglect of responsibility to use heroin
- Participating in risky behaviours to keep using heroin
Psychological Symptoms
Abusing heroin can also affect a person psychologically and result in the following:
- Extreme mood swings when using the drug
- Being obsessed with how to obtain heroin
- Panicking when they can’t access the drug
- Impaired decision-making
- Memory problems
- Difficulty focusing
What Are the Effects of Heroin Use?
In the short term, heroin use can make a person feel an intense surge of pleasure. However, this effect doesn’t last forever and will fade after a few hours.
If a person continues to abuse heroin, the drug will have drastic effects on a person’s overall well-being. It puts them at an increased risk of chronic illness and other visible changes, such as weight loss and a neglected appearance.
Over time, heroin addiction can consume a person’s identity. They become more disconnected from what they once enjoyed or were interested in. As a person who struggles with drug use becomes more reliant on the drug, they may start to feel more shame and hopelessness.
Addiction is also a tough situation for loved ones. For family and friends, seeing someone they love spiral into addiction can make them feel helpless and betrayed. Loved ones may have to significantly adjust their lives to cope with the impact of someone else’s addiction.
Symptoms of a Heroin Overdose
An overdose happens when a person takes too much heroin to the point that their body can’t process the drug anymore. It can result in different symptoms, signifying that emergency medical help is needed.
A person may be experiencing a heroin overdose if they show the following symptoms:
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Gurgling or choking sounds
- Weak or absent pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Extreme drowsiness
- Pale or clammy skin
Various factors may increase the risk of overdose. For instance, those who take large doses or mix heroin with other substances are at a higher risk of taking too much of the drug.
What Is Heroin Withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal refers to the symptoms that manifest when people who use heroin for a prolonged time try to stop taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are often very unpleasant, causing intense physical and psychological distress.
Some symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:
- Muscle aches
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
- Mood swings
- Restlessness and difficulty concentrating
The severity of heroin withdrawal will depend on different factors. For instance, those with longer and heavier use will have more severe withdrawal symptoms.
When to Get Help for Heroin Addiction
It’s time to get medical help for drug addiction once the first few symptoms appear. The earlier someone gets the proper help, the higher the chances of their recovery. People who take heroin are at an increased risk of dangerous side effects, such as overdose and infections.
Professional help is also highly recommended when a person has tried to stop using heroin but experiences withdrawal or relapse. Through professional treatment, they can receive the proper guidance that increases the chance of long-term recovery and sobriety.
When a person fails to get the help they need, it can mean serious consequences for their overall quality of life. Remember that seeking professional help is always the best course of action – it’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.
Treatment for Heroin Addiction
The best way to overcome heroin addiction is to receive professional treatment for it. With the help of professionals, clients can learn the proper coping mechanisms to live a substance-free life.
Heroin treatment will also look different for everyone – it must be personalised according to a client’s needs and goals. A careful consideration of these factors can increase the success of treatment.
Medically Assisted Detox
Medically assisted detox is usually the first step of addiction treatment. Detoxing from heroin can be incredibly difficult since addiction makes the body reliant on the drug for daily function.
As such, detox is essential for managing the withdrawal symptoms that happen when a person tries to quit drug abuse. During medically assisted detox, clients will receive specialised help from medical professionals so that they become stable enough for the next steps of treatment.
Rehab
During rehab, clients will go through a structured treatment plan involving therapies and counselling. Rehab can be done within the facility (inpatient) or outside the facility (outpatient). Aside from the setting, the main difference between the two types of rehab is the level of supervision.
Inpatient provides 24/7 supervision with intensive therapy for clients. As such, it’s ideal for clients with severe addictions who need to be in a controlled environment.
On the other hand, outpatient rehab provides a more flexible approach. Since it requires greater discipline for clients, it’s recommended for those with milder addictions or who have already gone through inpatient rehab.
Therapy
Evidence-based therapies are scientifically proven and tested, so they’re the first line of treatment for addiction. These therapies help clients get to the root of their addiction and understand why they may be participating in such behaviours. This deeper knowledge about their problem can help them create effective coping strategies to overcome addiction.
Holistic therapies are also typically used during addiction treatment since they promote overall well-being. Activities like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness are incorporated into the programme to heal different aspects of the addiction.
Medication
Aside from therapy, some facilities may also utilise medications to address heroin misuse. While medications aren’t always the first line of treatment, they can help stabilise clients and increase the likelihood of staying in treatment.
Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone help manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse. Never attempt to take these medications without a doctor’s prescription since they can cause serious side effects.
Aftercare
Transitioning to daily life can be challenging after rehab, but a good aftercare plan will help. During aftercare, rehab facilities can connect clients with the proper support so they don’t fall back into old habits. This may be through continued therapies or connections with sober living homes.
Sober living homes are environments free from substances and other triggers. While a person is living in a sober living home, they can continue their recovery journey with the support of others in recovery.
Get Treatment for Heroin Addiction at Liberty Home Clinic
Addiction can have serious consequences for people who use the substance as well as those close to them. It requires comprehensive help so clients fully understand their situation and develop coping mechanisms to stay sober.
At Liberty Home Clinic, we’re here to help you get the treatment you need. Our team has years of experience with addiction treatment, with all of our staff in recovery themselves. This allows us to provide compassionate and empathetic care. Contact us today to know more.
