Heroin Addiction Rehab
Heroin addiction is one of the most difficult disorders to overcome and it can quickly happen to anyone. Many people are not aware of how addictive opiates can be or that addiction could not happen to them. But they could not be further from the truth.
Opiates are highly addictive due to their rapid and intense effects. Heroin enters the brain and binds to opioid receptors that activate the brain’s reward center. People can feel euphoric, pain relief and a rush of pleasure quickly, but the effects don’t last long. Repeated use of heroin and opiates can result in physical dependence and tolerance, requiring more of the drug to get the same “high”.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is a power opiate made from morphine; a natural substance found in the seeds of the poppy flower. Heroin can be found in many forms, most often a white or brown powder, or it can also be a tar-like substance. It can be snorted, smoked or injected.
Several prescription opioids, such as OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone), have similar effects to heroin. More than 75% of heroin users reported abusing prescription opioids before turning to heroin, according to Drugabuse.gov.
Today the connection between prescription opioid and heroin use and dependency has caused widespread prescriptions to be stopped. In the past, physicians were more reliant on morphine for its pain relief but are turning to other pain relief forms.
THE DANGERS OF OPIOID ADDICTION
Many addicts do not start buying heroin off the street. Most start by using legal prescription drugs and becoming dependent on them. Long-term prescription opioid users need more and more of the drug to provide the same effect. Once addicted, they turn to illegal drugs to provide the relief they need once they no longer have access to the prescription.
Heroin is easily accessible and can be used in a variety of ways. With regular use, it can cause a severe physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence causes users to continue to use in order to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, while those with psychological dependence feel they need it to survive.
Abruptly stopping heroin after prolonged use can cause withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms usually start within a few hours of las does and can include:
- Intense cravings
- Diarrhea
- Severe aches and pains in muscles and bones
- Restlessness
- Weakness
- Depression
- Cold flashes with goosebumps
- Intense involuntary leg movements
EFFECTS OF HEROIN ABUSE
Signs of heroin use and withdrawal symptoms vary on a variety of factors including frequency of use, length of use, current health, and genetic makeup.
- Short term effects include:
- Flushing of the skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Limbs feeling “heavy”
- Impaired mental functioning
- Drowsiness or losing consciousness
- Flushing of the skin
- Dry mouth
- Low heart rate and breathing
- Prolonged usage can have severe negative consequences on several health systems of the body including the skin, kidneys, liver, brain and heart.
- Other effects, some fatal, can include:
- Heart lining and valve infections
- Insomnia
- Constipation or stomach cramping
- Sexual dysfunction
- Mental health disorders like depression, paranoia, and delusions
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Chronic pneumonia
- Collapsed or scarred veins from injection use
- HIV or hepatitis in users who share needles
- Heart attack
- Respiratory depression
- Blood clots
- Death
Some studies have shown that long-term opioid use reduces the amount of white matter in the brain, which can affect decision-making, behavior, and response to stress.
FENTANYL-LACED HEROIN: A HUGE ISSUE
A new deadly addition to heroin is making headlines. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is one-hundred times stronger than heroin, is so lethal in its pure form that an amount equivalent to a grain of sand can kill you. Fentanyl is being used to cut many drugs including heroin or sold as pills to people looking to purchase oxycodone, causing many users to ingest it unknowingly.
There is a steady flow coming in various forms from Mexico and China, making it more widely available than ever before. It is made to look like a counterfeit version of popular painkiller brands, like OxyContin.
Fentanyl effects are stronger and quicker than other opiates, but also last for a much shorter time, even just minutes. Fentanyl is not only dangerous to users, but it can also be fatal to law enforcement or first responders, as lethal amounts can be transmitted via skin contact or accidentally inhaled.
STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION
Every person’s addiction to heroin is unique. Their addiction can stem from a variety of reasons such as genetics, environmental stressors, or psychological make-up.
For some, a co-occurring disorder such as an underlying physical or mental illness, is the cause of their addiction and they use heroin as a coping mechanism. Regardless of the reason behind your addiction, there is hope. Through our detox treatment clinic, our medical staff can start you down the road to recovery. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even deadly, but through a medical detox you can withdraw safely and comfortably.
Our goal is to help those struggling with addiction to recover and get their life back on track. Our treatment center in West Palm Beach, FL aims to provide our patients with treatment plans that fit their needs. Our sober living program includes heroin detox treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms and support your recovery from heroin addiction.
Each treatment is tailored to your unique situation. Our recovery programs include group, individual, and family therapy. We also provide gender-specific therapy to help our patients build deeper connections and support with one another.
DayBreak Treatment solutions in West Palm Beach, uses a variety of therapy option to support your recovery such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavior
- Trauma-Focused
- Other Emotional Therapy
Our patients dealing with substance abuse disorder participate in 12-step programs, medication management, and a variety of other activities to help achieve their unique goals. Relapse prevention is key for long-term recovery, which is why we offer an Aftercare Program for when you complete your treatment with us. Located conveniently in West Palm Beach in South Florida, we can help you win your battle with heroin addiction. With help and treatment options, you can get your life back.