Just the FAQs About Heroin

An array of myths and rumors have been circulated about heroin use. Today’s entry will focus on some frequently asked questions.

What is Heroin? 

-          Derived from Morphine, heroin is classified as part of the opiate family. It is sold as a brown or white powder, or as a brown/black tar-like substance

-          Heroin is extremely addictive – Physical dependence can result after only a week or so of routine use

-          Heroin takes effect very quickly, producing a powerful sense of well being and euphoria

How is Heroin Administered? 

Users administer heroin in one of the following 3 ways:

-          Smoking

-          Snorting

-          Injection

What is Heroin’s Affect on the Brain?

Heroin works to stimulate the opiate receptors located in the brain. When someone uses heroin, the substance moves past the blood brain barrier and fills the brain with opiates. The opiates then engage neurotransmitter receptors in various areas of the brain in charge of pain and pleasure regulation. Once the drug has activated these receptors, the users begin to experience feelings of contentment, euphoria and analgesia.

Over a long enough use period, heroin will begin to alter the addict’s brain chemistry. Chronic heroin use will ultimately result in a reduced number of opiate receptors in the brain. As these numbers dwindle, the user will require more and more heroin to achieve the same initial high.

What Are the Short Term Consequences?

Heroin use can result in nausea and vomiting when taken in large doses or by inexperienced users. Additional short-term consequences include:

-          Itchiness

-          Sweating

-          Reduced cough reflux

-          Slurred speech and confusion

-          Constricted pupils

-          Decrease in heart rate and respiration

-          Analgesia

Overdose is the most extreme consequence of heroin use, which can easily turn fatal. Overdose symptoms include:

-          Convulsions

-          Shallow breathing

-          Coma

-          Extremely constricted pupils

-          Clammy skin

What Are the Long-Term Consequences?

Potential consequences associated with chronic heroin use include:

-          Skin infections

-          HIV or hepatitis

-          Cognitive impairments

-          Pneumonia

-          Organ damage

-          Malnutrition

-          Track marks

-          Collapsed veins

Botulism

Heroin Use is Associated with Infectious Diseases

Injection drug users often neglect basic actions that would protect their health. If they share needles, they risk sharing hepatitis, HIV or other diseases. Injection can collapse veins, cause infection in the heart lining or valves or abscesses. Unless treated, most of these conditions can progress to more serious conditions that result in death. For example, local infections resulting from the adulterants in black tar heroin from Mexico can turn into necrotizing fasciitis, a fast-moving infection that progressively kills more and more tissue. Black tar heroin may be adulterated with dextrose, burned cornstarch, instant coffee, and sometimes dirt.

Drug users often neglect other basic personal care as well. Many fail to keep themselves clean and groomed and ignore illnesses. Their worlds are mostly consumed with making sure they have enough of the opiate to prevent dope sickness from setting in. The further they go down the road toward addiction, the more this pattern of drug abuse will consume their attention and shatter the pattern of their earlier sober lives. When extended, this effect of heroin use can destroy the person's sober living skills to the point that they no longer know how to make drug-free decisions.

Most heroin addicts have such a severe dread of the dope sickness that kicks in during withdrawal that they will do almost anything to prevent this experience. They are sure that they can't survive or enjoy anything in life if they are not high on heroin, so they refuse to admit the problem and resist efforts to help them.

If you are tired of the day to day fear of receiving a death sentence caused by the use and addiction of heroin, contact us at Above It All Treatment and Recovery Center.  We will show you how we can design a program that gives you the best possible chance of a successful recovery.

Heroin Abuse – Effects, Symptoms & Recovery

As with most illegal substances, heroin abuse has both negative long and short-term effects. Whether smoked, snorted or injected, the drug will almost immediately begin to affect the central nervous system of the user. In this entry, we will outline some of the more common effects associated with heroin use along with proven recovery and detox options.

Short-Term

Once heroin enters the body, users begin experiencing an intense feeling of euphoria.  Described as a “warm skin flush”, “heavy” limbs and dry mouth, the initial high quickly transitions to a state alternating between drowsy and alert… commonly referred to as “nodding off”. Mental functions become hazy, and a slowed breath rate may even extend to respiratory failure.

Long-Term

Those with prolonged use habits may gradually begin experiencing a number of the effects listed below:

-       Liver disease – Studies show that roughly 70-80% of new hepatitis C infections in the United States can be traced back to sharing of drug needles.

-       Added risk for heart valve and lining infections due to a disregard for sterile needle practices.

-       Kidney disease.

-       Abscesses and skin infections – More commonly in users with collapsed or scarred veins.

-       Pulmonary issues

Overdose

Perhaps the most frightening effect associated with prolonged heroin use is the risk of death by overdose.

Because heroin is illegal, it’s cut and mixture with additional ingredients cannot be regulated. As such, users place themselves at great risk by never knowing exactly how pure or potent the drug is until it is used.

Detox

Though feared by many, the detoxification process found within heroin rehab centers serves to wean addicts from the drug in a safe and healthy fashion. These programs provide patients with medications and 24-hour supervision to help minimize withdrawal symptoms while ensuring a comfortable transition into sobriety.

Help

Those interested in combating their heroin addiction should seek out a reputable heroin rehab facility. From detox to counseling and therapy, these rehabilitation facilities provide addicts with the knowledge, resources and tools needed to overcome their dependency in a safe, healthy and positive manner.

When it comes to choosing a substance abuse rehabilitation, heroin addicts are encouraged to locate a facility that specializes in heroin addiction treatment and recovery. In this way, patients can rest assured that their needs and goals are address in a specific and personalized fashion.

What Happens In Heroin Rehab?

A person addicted to heroin is at high risk for pain, sickness, disease and even death without the aid of a professional heroin drug rehab facility. Heroin, a form of synthesized morphine, is one of the more addictive and potent substances to use today. The drug is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it is illegal to possess or use due to it’s high potential for addiction. Though this opioid addiction can certainly be overcome, the road to recovery is always a difficult one.

Detox / Withdrawal

Before the real healing can begin, addicts must complete a medically monitored detoxification program. Detox works to remove the drug from the individual’s system while addressing the symptoms associated with withdrawal. The following is a list of common symptoms found in patients moving through withdrawal:

Anxiety

Depression

Sweating

Fever

Cramps

Diarrhea

Nausea

Insomnia

Vomiting

Aches

Due to the extent of these symptoms, it is strongly advised that addicts enroll in a medically monitored detoxification to help ease them through the withdrawal process in a safe and comfortable fashion.

Once an individual has completed detox, it’s time to move forward with the heroin rehab experience. Depending on the type of facility, a variety of methods can be utilized to help addicts through their initial recovery. Traditional heroin rehab centers tend to rely on individual and group therapy while promoting a structured, daily routine through various activities and group exercises. Holistic treatment facilities utilize many of the same methods found in traditional rehab centers, but with an emphasis on spirituality and natural treatments.

Regardless of the facility philosophies, the end goal is always a healthy and long lasting recovery. In order to achieve this goal, patients are encouraged to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan or action with their addiction counselor. In this way, patients are able to monitor their progress throughout and beyond the program while keeping their eye fixated on the big sobriety prize.