Heroin Addiction Treatment Programs
Information on heroin addiction, how to spot one, and addiction recovery treatment
What is heroin and heroin addiction? Heroin is an illegal opioid drug which is derived from morphine, a natural substance that is extracted from the pod of poppy plants. Heroin is typically found in the form of a white or brown colored powder. There is also another common form of heroin called black tar heroin, which is found in the form of a black sticky substance. Individuals who use heroin typically inject, smoke, or snort the drug. Heroin is a highly addictive drug and can cause its users to become addicted almost instantly. When heroin is used recreationally, it can quickly turn into an addiction due to the highly addictive nature of the drug.
What is Heroin Addiction?
When heroin is used regularly, it often causes its users to develop a tolerance for the drug, ultimately causing the need to increase or take more frequent doses of heroin to achieve the same effects. A heroin addiction is typically characterized by the inability to consistently abstain from using heroin. Other characteristics of a heroin addiction include:
- Impaired control of one's behaviors
- Experiencing intense cravings for heroin
- Inability to recognize problems being caused by heroin use patterns
- Troubles in interpersonal relationships
- Dysfunctional emotional responses
How to Spot a Heroin Addiction
There are several common signs and symptoms you can observe for. Common signs and symptoms of a heroin addiction include but are not limited to:
- Loss of control over heroin use
- Inability to limit or reduce heroin use
- Heroin use is interfering with academic and/or work performance
- Isolating oneself or withdrawing from friends and family to hide heroin use
- Experiencing troubles in interpersonal relationships with friends and family
- Isolation or withdrawal from friends and family
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable
- Experiencing negative health consequences
- Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop heroin use
- Experiencing legal troubles
- Experiencing financial difficulties
If you or your loved one have shown more than one of the symptoms listed above, it is strongly encouraged that you to seek professional help at a Richmond opiate rehab.
Withdrawing from Heroin
The fear of experiencing the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms is typically what keeps individuals using heroin. However, using more heroin to avoid withdrawal symptoms on prolongs and worsens a heroin use problem. Common symptoms of withdrawal associated with heroin include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches and pain
- Abdominal cramping
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mood swings
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Agitation
Addiction Recovery Treatment for a Heroin Addiction
Although there is no cure for heroin addiction, heroin addiction can be effectively treated and managed with professional addiction recovery treatment. Heroin addiction is typically very complex to treat and requires a combination of effective treatments to be successfully treated. In heroin addiction treatment programs, they use a combination of pharmacological (medications) and behavioral therapies to ensure clients complete recovery. Both approaches are vital for helping to restore a certain degree of normalcy in one's brain functioning and behaviors. Failing to seek addiction recovery treatment for an addiction can result in irreversible long-term damage to one's mental and physical health, or premature death in some instances.
Get Started at a Richmond Opiate Rehab Today!
If you or your loved one are currently suffering from a heroin addiction and are looking to get started with treatment, find help! Richmond opiate rehab programs provide comprehensive addiction recovery treatment services which can assure you a complete recovery. Call the helpline today at 804-441-9980 to speak with a knowledgeable representative about how to get started.