A factor that played a role in the rise of heroin is the growing abuse of prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, which are also made from the poppy plant and are chemically heroin addiction treatment related to heroin. People who become dependent on or misuse these drugs may start looking for a stronger, cheaper high. There’s no way to know what you’re taking or how strong it is.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a Heroin problem, there is help available. Contact a treatment provider with any rehab-related questions. Blood-borne viruses pose a risk for people addicted to Heroin because they often inject the drug and share their needles. Risky sexual behavior can also contribute to higher rates of viruses among Heroin users. There is also a high risk of spontaneous abortion for pregnant women. Join the thousands of people that have called a treatment provider for rehab information.
Am I Addicted to Heroin?
If you’re looking for signs of a heroin addiction in someone, it can be helpful to know the effects they may be experiencing. As you wait for an ambulance to arrive, use any naloxone (Narcan) you have on hand. This emergency medication can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Having this condition means heroin use has disrupted your life, and you have trouble controlling how much you use. If you’re concerned that a loved one may be suffering from addiction, there are signs you can look out for to help you recognise when someone is addicted to heroin. Most heroin users will have a “tool kit,” or container of sorts, where they keep all their drug-related paraphernalia — and people can be creative with their hiding places.
Additives in heroin can also coagulate and clog blood vessels, such as arteries and veins. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and permanent organ damage. Some additives are deadly and can kill a person within minutes. It’s nearly impossible to tell what’s been added to heroin without conducting tests.
Where to find support for heroin addiction
It is an illegal substance that has no recognised medical use in the U.S. A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they are thinking of stopping using heroin. They can help arrange a safe and effective treatment plan that minimizes health risks. Treatment for OUDs often involves a combination of mental health services and medications. When an overdose occurs, a person’s breathing may slow or stop.
✔️ Heroin overdose can be treated with naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug also known as Narcan or Evzio. Other medications to help get the heart rate and breathing at normal levels might be given intravenously if the heroin was injected instead. Heroin overdose can be reversed with naloxone, an FDA-approved medication for treating opioid overdose. If someone is having seizures, has stopped breathing, or has collapsed after using heroin, this may signal a need for emergency medical treatment. Visible effects on areas of the body, such as abscesses and scabs, are some of the easiest signs that a person may be able to recognize in order to identify heroin use. It slows brain activity and attaches to opioid receptors in the brain that release dopamine – a “feel good” brain chemical.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Because of this, medication can ease cravings and physical withdrawal symptoms, reducing the likelihood of using heroin during detox. Sometimes opioid use disorder begins with legal drugs like painkillers that are prescribed after a surgery or some other injury. It’s an opioid, which binds to receptors in the brain to release the chemical dopamine. As with most drug side effects, this release is only temporary — which leaves some people wanting more of the “good” feeling.
