Heroin addiction is an overwhelming disease. Many people try to quit and simply can’t. They are determined to recover and wish to be free, but without help recovery can be impossible. Some individuals will endure all of the pain and agony of detox on their own only to succumb to the much more powerful psychological aspects of the disease shortly after. If it feels like you are powerless over heroin addiction, it is because on your own you are. The good news is that you do not need to be on your own.
Why Heroin Addiction Is So Powerful
Heroin addiction establishes two distinct but interconnected forms of addiction. The body very quickly becomes physically dependent on the drug meaning the user will not be able to feel “normal” without it. When heroin users discontinue use, they will suffer a wide range of potentially severe symptoms of withdrawal that will often send them back to the drug. If users manage to complete detox and withdrawal on their own, they will become physically clean but not completely healed. The psychological aspects of addiction are much more powerful and long-lasting than the physical effects. The brain craves the euphoric high brought on by heroin and will do anything necessary to get it. The same part of the brain that is affected by heroin use is also responsible for impulse control, behavior reinforcement, emotions and memories. Heroin can and will pull all of these strings in the mind of the addict completely overpowering any rational decision or commitment to stay clean. Neural pathways in the brain are chemically rewired to reinforce any and all behaviors that lead to the high. To achieve lasting recovery from this disease the effects of psychological addiction must be reprogrammed. This process starts in rehab and continues for months, years or even a lifetime.
How Heroin Recovery Works
The most successful heroin addiction recovery programs with the highest rate of success address all aspects of the disease in a holistic way. Medically supervised detox offers carefully administered relief of some of the most severe symptoms of withdrawal. The psychological effects are treated through a customized combination of the following:
- Group and individual counseling
- Education
- Introduction of healthy coping mechanisms
- Relaxation techniques
- Alternative therapy like meditation and yoga
There are also often underlying mental health concerns that may have never even been diagnosed or are being self-medicated by the drug. Dual Diagnosis treatment allows for the thorough diagnosis of any and all co-occurring disorders that may be contributing to the disease and undermining recovery. When taken as a whole, these fully integrated therapies can give you the help you need to beat this disease and find the freedom from heroin you have not and likely cannot find on your own.
You Have Power over Heroin Addiction, and We Can Help
If you feel powerless over heroin addiction, we can help. Our toll-free helpline is open 24 hours a day, and our specially trained addiction experts are ready to answer your questions confidentially and to help you find the best possible recovery plan for your unique needs. Life is too short to waste on heroin. Call today, and let us help you find the freedom you crave.
