Heroin is a highly addictive opiate that is related to morphine. It is an illegal street drug that is often cut with other substances, increasing the chances of overdose or allergic reaction. Heroin use is widespread and dangerous, and medically supervised detox services are often needed to overcome the addiction.
Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use
Heroin users develop a tolerance to heroin and require greater amounts of the drug to achieve the desired effect. As users increase their dosage and frequency of use, physical and psychological dependence occur. When addicts attempt to stop heroin use, they experience withdrawal symptoms, some of which appear within a few hour of the last dose. These heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Panic
- Chills
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Vomiting
- Irritability
Heroin Detoxification
The most important step to a successful recovery is heroin detox. Detox is a medically supervised process during which the drug is allowed to completely leave the user’s body. Users will experience severe withdrawal symptoms during heroin detox, but these symptoms are rarely dangerous, and medical supervision can ease some of the worst symptoms. Heroin detox is not the solution to heroin addiction, but rather the beginning of the journey. Withdrawal symptoms will subside after a week, but this does not mean an addict is cured. Without further treatment, most users will return to heroin use.
Seeking Treatment after Heroin Detoxification
After heroin detox, users should seek further addiction treatment to address the psychological aspects of addiction and to learn methods of relapse prevention. Recovering users may choose behavioral therapy, which helps users learn to cope with the situations, attitudes and other stressors that could lead to relapse. Group therapy is another choice for heroin addiction treatment. Talking to others who are undergoing a similar experience can help remove feelings of shame and isolation that are often associated with heroin use.
Need Heroin Addiction Help?
Finding help can often be one of the most difficult steps of recovery. If you or a loved one is suffering from heroin addiction, please call our toll-free number. We are available 24 hours a day to provide you with the information you need about medically supervised detox services and other heroin addiction treatment options. Don’t let addiction control your life, call now.
