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Heroin Rehab & Addiction Treatment Centers

Heroin is one of the most popular substances to abuse despite the fact that it is completely illegal. Unlike many drugs that are abused by recreational users, heroin does not have any medical use whatsoever. In fact, it is a very dangerous substance when taken in high doses.

Despite the risk, many people still abuse it and eventually get addicted. That is why it is important to get into detail as to why heroin should not be taken under any circumstance.

Today we will talk about heroin abuse effects, and why addicted individuals should seek treatment today.

Overview of Heroin

Heroin maintains a dominant presence in movies, television shows, and every other media. But its depiction only scratches the surface of the drug’s danger. And we have to look deeper in order to understand addiction.

This drug is processed from cocaine—technically making it an opioid or painkiller. It comes in powder form, often white or brown in color. It also comes in a black, sticky form known as black tar heroin.

No matter what form, it is against the law to produce, distribute, or use this substance.

Recreational Use

Smack, Horse, Big H, and hell dust—these are only some of the street names used to refer to heroin. All these nicknames indicate just how popular heroin is among illicit users. In recreational settings, heroin is sniffed, snorted, and frequently smoked. However, there are those who want to achieve an intense high in a matter of minutes, so they inject the drug directly into their bloodstream.

Recreational users sometimes mix heroin with crack cocaine in a process known as “speedballing”. The euphoric high is more intense, but the risk of adverse effects is also much bigger.

Heroin is abused because it helps people relax in social settings. It can reduce a person’s inhibitions while giving them a rush of unmitigated joy.

As soon as the high dissipates, the user experiences unpleasant sensations like severe itching, lethargy, or heaviness in the arms and legs. Knowing this, some illicit users try to binge on heroin to delay the onset of these adverse reactions.

Heroin is so potent that people can experience intense cravings for it after trying it just one time.

Addiction Effects and Treatment

Common signs of heroin abuse include nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Continuous use of the drug can lead to tolerance, dependence, death, and, eventually, addiction.

Short term and long term effects may vary from person to person. The drug can cause deterioration in the brain’s white matter, leading to problems in cognitive function and memory. A physically dependent person will experience withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, diarrhea, cold flashes, and bone pain. Drug-seeking behavior comes out during this period, and any attempt at self-regulation usually just leads to relapse.

Addiction does more than physical and mental damage, too. It can also ruin relationships, end careers, and cause financial problems. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of it, which leads the user to craving even more heroin.

The best course of action is to seek rehabilitation. A combination of behavioral therapy and medical detox will allow the person to slowly adapt to the drug-free lifestyle. Their substance intake will be lowered gradually, so that medical professionals can help them get over their need for heroin.

Medications like methadone and buprenorphine may be used to help manage cravings.

With the powerful addiction that comes with heroin, you’ll want to seek out an Elan addiction recovery center where they offer the tools you need to finally end heroin abuse for you or a loved one.

Our recovery coaches are individuals who’ve personally experienced and live a life of recovery. These special staff members are also trained and certified to have the skills to guide and walk with you through the journey to recovery from heroin addiction. Call Elan today to get started down your path to sobriety.

 

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