Heroin Addiction

Heroin is an illegal opioid that is considered a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It has strong addiction potential and causes severe, detrimental side effects. Opiates are naturally derived from the opium poppy. Many opioids are prescription painkillers. However, heroin is an illegal opioid found with no medical benefits. Heroin is known as one of the most addictive substances because of how it works in the brain. Heroin, like all other opioids, binds to natural opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in a euphoric feeling throughout the body and a decrease or elimination of physical pain. The body produces natural opioids known as endorphins. Heroin binds to the same receptors, causing these natural endorphins not to work as effectively. In other words, heroin hijacks the brain and the body.

The drug is either smoked, injected intravenously (into a vein), or injected subcutaneously (through the skin). As with any injectable drug, heroin users have an increased rate of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis as well as infections like sepsis resulting from unsterile injection sites.  

Heroin is sold on the street. Common alternative terms include chasing the dragon, H, chine white, junk, and smack.

Signs & Symptoms of Heroin Intoxication

Excessive drowsiness

Excessive drowsiness

Constricted pupils (meiosis)

Constricted pupils (meiosis)

Generalized anxiety disorder0

Confusion

Slurred speech

Slurred speech

Constipation

Constipation

Respiratory depression (shallow and short breathing)

Respiratory depression (shallow and short breathing)

Track marks on skin or fresh puncture wounds

Track marks on skin or fresh puncture wounds

Weight loss

Weight loss

Mood swings

Mood swings

Frequent nose bleeds (if heroin is snorted)

Frequent nose bleeds (if heroin is snorted)

Behavioral Symptoms of Heroin Addiction

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Treatment for Heroin Addiction, How We Can Help

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) incorporates medications and therapy to help the brain and body recover from dependence on heroin. The client is placed under direct medical supervision and is monitored for safety and comfort.

Medications approved to treat opioid prescription use include opioid receptor blockers such as naltrexone, opioid receptor activators such as methadone, and partial opioid agonists, which both block and activate the opioid receptors such as buprenorphine.

Opioids such as Suboxone and methadone can reduce the debilitating effects of heroin withdrawal and the strong cravings for more opioids. Although there is also some potential to become addicted to Suboxone, the benefits of safely detoxing from heroin generally far outweigh the risk of addiction.

AKUA Mind & Body Treatment Program

AKUA Mind and Body is a full-service treatment program that offers a wide range of “east meets west” treatment modalities for many different populations struggling with heroin addiction and substance use and mental health disorders. We offer both intensive inpatient programs as well as outpatient treatment. AKUA Mind & Body works diligently with each client and their family to ensure that their depressive disorder treatment plan is specifically tailored to their needs, and not just their disorder.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Heroin Overdose

Overdosing on heroin can be extremely life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. The extent of the overdose depends on the amount and purity of heroin used, other consumed substances, and the individual’s age and weight.

Heroin overdose can be completely unexpected as individuals can overdose during their first time or never overdose at all as a lifelong user; hence why this is such a dangerous illegal substance.

The following are signs and symptoms of heroin overdose:

Treating Heroin Overdose

Heroin overdose can be deadly but there is an antidote that can be administered via intranasal or injection. Naloxone is an opioid receptor blocker and is used to prevent heroin and all opioids overdose. Naloxone prevents heroin from binding to its receptors in the brain, therefore causing immediate physical withdrawals.

An individual can be in and out of consciousness and can immediately experience painful withdrawal within seconds after naloxone is administered. Naloxone can be prescribed to patients and their families who are using prescription opioids, who are at risk of withdrawal or who have an active history of heroin use.

Naloxone is also widely administered by EMS workers and in hospitals. Many governments and privately funded agencies are working diligently to educate the public on the proper use of naloxone and the importance it can have on saving lives from a heroin overdose.

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