Heroin is a highly addictive, highly dangerous substance. It may create a temporary sense of euphoria and relaxation, but its long-term effects can include lifelong dependency, emotional disturbances, physical disabilities, and even death. Breaking the cycle of addiction in a heroin addiction treatment program is vital to leading a better life.
At BlueCrest Recovery, we know the important role substance abuse treatment programs have in helping people get sober. Our center in Woodland Park, NJ is run by professionals with years of experience supporting people as they overcome their dependence on drugs like opioids. We utilize a holistic approach to evidence-based therapies, so our clients remain focused and fulfilled on their way to sobriety. Learn more about our heroin addiction treatment program by calling 888.292.9652 today.
Heroin Addiction Develops Quickly
Heroin is unforgiving. Physical dependency develops relatively quickly, which means there’s a thin line between recreational use and addiction. After using heroin enough times, the body adapts to the new substance. It becomes tolerant of the drug. Before long, a user must increase their dose in order to feel the same effects. Users who stop taking the drug are subject to painful and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Fortunately, there is hope. Recovery is possible. The first step is recognizing the problem. That means knowing the signs, symptoms, and effects of heroin abuse.
Effects of Heroin Use
Someone who has recently taken heroin may feel a number of short-term effects. They include the following physiological and mental symptoms:
- Temporary euphoria
- Short-lived rush followed by long-lasting drowsiness
- Flushed skin
- Shortness of breath
- Dry mouth
- Disorientation and clouded thinking
- Heaviness of limbs
Signs of Heroin Use
Heroin users are often adept at hiding their substance abuse. They sometimes develop elaborate methods of escaping detection. That’s why it’s important for friends and family to learn the signs of recent heroin use, which include:
- Drowsiness – heroin affects a person’s energy levels. Since it is an opiate, it attaches to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and producing a calming effect. This process causes a person to become drowsy and even depresses their breathing.
- Sudden behavioral changes – Addiction to any substance brings about several behavioral changes, like poor hygiene, financial trouble, and difficulties at work. These changes arise when someone becomes so preoccupied with using drugs that they can’t fulfill their normal responsibilities.
- Small pupils – When someone abuses heroin, their pupils will become small or pinpoint. Changes in eye appearance typically only arise in the middle of a heroin high.
- Watery eyes – Using heroin can trigger the body to produce more tears as a defensive reaction to the drug. Watery eyes can cause blurry vision, which can cause problems in daily life.
- Runny nose – Similarly to watery eyes, people using heroin may experience a runny nose since the body produces extra mucus as a defense mechanism.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
The effects of addiction manifest in various physical and emotional ways. Friends and family should learn to spot the warning signs so they can intervene before addiction destroys the life of their loved one.
Physical Signs
Heroin addiction takes several characteristic physical tolls on the body, including:
- Weight loss
- Excessive sleeping
- Slurred or otherwise incoherent speech patterns
- Needle tracks
Emotional and Behavioral Signs
You might recognize strange or different behavior patterns among your loved ones if they struggle with heroin addiction, including:
- A tendency to lie or deceive
- A habit of stealing or borrowing money
- Social withdrawal
- Hostile or aggressive behavior
- Loss of motivation and interest in activities
- Declining performance at school or work
- Poor personal hygiene and inattention to physical appearance
Deteriorating relationships with friends and family - A tendency to wear long clothing that hides needle marks
Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Opiate and heroin withdrawal can be dangerous. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. Over time, after repeated use, the body thinks it needs the drug in order to function properly. When you deprive the body of the drug, it protests, sometimes in violent ways. Professional heroin withdrawal treatment is almost always required in order for someone to quit safely and successfully.
Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings
- Restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Insomnia
- Cold sweats
- Goosebumps
Frequent users may experience withdrawals after a few hours. It may take longer for symptoms to develop in less regular abusers. Either way, symptoms tend to peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose was administered. In many cases, symptoms last for about a week.
Anyone who suffers from heroin dependence should seek professional help before quitting their habit. Heavily addicted users who suffer from poor health should be particularly careful when ceasing use, as withdrawal has proved fatal in some cases.
Find a Heroin Addiction Treatment Program in New Jersey
Recognition is the first step toward heroin recovery. The next step is finding the right drug treatment programs.
If you or someone close to you suffers from substance abuse problems, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Heroin addiction treatment requires a holistic approach that confronts the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of recovery. From medically supervised withdrawals to intensive outpatient counseling, it involves a team of professionals and evidence-based approaches.
At BlueCrest Recovery Center, we provide a safe and comfortable rehab in New Jersey for those who are seeking a heroin addiction treatment program. Our approach to heroin addiction treatment includes physical, spiritual, and behavioral care. Contact us at 888.292.9652 as soon as possible to give yourself or your loved one a chance at a new life.
