Heroin is an illegal opiate that is derived from morphine. Heroin can be injected, smoked, snorted, or sniffed. It is a powerful substance that may cause addiction after only a few hits. Heroin addiction produces mental and physical cravings that are so strong that addicts may result to crime or bankruptcy to maintain their habits.
Addicts may be fearful or overwhelmed by their own conditions and use denial as a coping mechanism, because if they believe there is no problem, then their issues are easier to process mentally and emotionally. However, though denial may offer temporary relief, it only exacerbates the entire issue. Without admitting a problem, an addict refuses to surrender to the help of others and accept appropriate addiction treatment, which is the key to heroin addiction recovery.
Dangers of Heroin Addiction Denial
Denial allows heroin addiction to continue untreated, thus placing the addict at risk of overdose and other potential health problems. Heroin abuse can lead to various diseases and infections from improper needle usage, as well as pneumonia and respiratory depression. But how does a heroin addict overcome denial? When can the addict officially begin to recover and restore order and balance to her life?
Possible Solutions for Heroin Addiction Denial
If someone you love is suffering from heroin addiction but is unwilling to admit that he has a problem, you do not have to stand by and watch his life fall apart. One way you can help is by hosting an intervention. You can contact a rehab center or a drug addiction helpline for information and resources related to interventions. If you are nervous about how your loved one might react, speak with a professional about the possibility of hiring a professional interventionist to moderate the session.
An intervention is essentially a meeting of the addict with all the people, usually family and close friends, who have been harmed by her addiction. Each participant takes a turn expressing how he or she has been impacted as a result of the addict’s problems. In a successful intervention, the addict comes to terms with the travails of addiction and willingly accepts treatment. Interventions are effective, because when all the consequences of addiction are presented at once, there is no time for the addict to rationalize. Instead, he or she witnesses firsthand the reality of the situation.
Need Help Finding Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
If you or someone you love is addicted to heroin, please call our toll-free helpline for instant support from one of our trusted counselors who are standing by and waiting to hear from you. We can answer your questions about treatment and recovery and connect you to a high quality rehab center, with a program that is right for you or your loved one. We can also check your insurance information for your level for coverage. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to call at any time. You can begin your recovery now. Just give us a call.
