Heroin
Heroin is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is manufactured in a lab but has many of the same effects as opium, morphine, and other natural opiates derived from the opium poppy. Heroin, often known as smack, horse, and tar, is a highly addictive drug that produces a profound state of euphoria in the user. The substance might take the form of a powder or a gummy black solid. Heroin is typically snorted, smoked, or injected by those who abuse it. This blog by rehab experts from Taylor Recovery Center offers insight into heroin abuse, addiction, and treatment especially heroin abuse in the US.
Body’s Reaction to Heroin
Heroin, once swallowed, is converted to morphine and binds to brain receptors involved with pleasure, reward, and pain regardless of the route of administration. The brain stem, which is also responsible for autonomic activities like respiration and blood pressure regulation, is home to these receptors. Overdosing on heroin increases the risk of fatally low blood pressure or low breathing rate.
Statistics on Heroin Abuse in the US
Most people who use heroin first begin by abusing prescription pain relievers. As of 2019: There were a total of 750,000 heroin users in the United States. In the same year, 50,000 individuals used heroin for the first time and almost 1500 died due to overdosing on heroin.
Heroin’s Harmful Effects on Your Body
Heroin can be smoked or snorted in addition to being injected. The approaches have varying degrees of potential harm. Both the injection and snorting pose risks to the nasal cavity. All uses and preparations of heroin are harmful to one’s health. Liver and renal failure; mental disorders; pneumonia and other lung problems; abscesses; infection of the heart’s valves and lining; insomnia; and death are all possible outcomes of chronic heroin abuse. Sharing needles amongst users is one of the leading causes of infectious disease among heroin addicts. Those who regularly use heroin are at an increased threat of contracting HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and even some types of bacterial infections.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
What is Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction is a debilitating condition that drastically alters the lives of many individuals and their loved ones. Heroin addiction is a subtype of opioid dependence characterized by continued usage despite adverse effects. Heroin is a powerful and illegal opioid that produces profound feelings of well-being after binding to specific brain receptors. Heroin addiction is a vicious cycle that can quickly get out of hand, wreaking havoc on a person’s physical, mental, and social health.
Treatment Approaches for Heroin Addiction
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT):
- Methadone, a long-acting opioid agonist, helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. For safety reasons, it must be given in a clinical setting.
- The risk of overdosing is minimal, and the drug helps minimize cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can be prescribed by qualified healthcare providers.
- Naltrexone suppresses the effects of heroin because it acts as an opioid receptor antagonist. It’s available in extended-release forms, reducing the risk of relapse.
- Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Through CBT, individuals struggling with heroin addiction are able to pinpoint the underlying causes of their behavior and alter them accordingly. It provides techniques for dealing with stressful situations and avoiding triggers.
- Contingency Management. This approach offers rewards or incentives for maintaining abstinence from heroin and engaging in treatment.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Motivating people to make positive lifestyle changes and dedicate themselves to recovery is at the heart of motivational enhancement therapy.
- Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation:
- In-Patient Treatment. Medically supervised inpatient rehabilitation lasts from 30 to 90 days. It provides close medical monitoring and a rigorous treatment program.
- Outpatient Treatment. Patients can continue their daily lives while participating in an outpatient program. Their adaptability is appealing, but they may be more appropriate for people whose addiction is milder.
Free Yourself from Heroin Dependence and Start Living Again
Heroin addiction may seem overwhelming, but help is available at Taylor Recovery Center. Here at our state-of-the-art facility in Houston, Texas, we treat heroin addiction with the respect and care it deserves. Stop allowing heroin to dictate your every move. Now is the time to take the bold action that will lead to a better, addiction-free tomorrow. Get in touch with Taylor Recovery Center now to get started on the road to recovery. You can find the strength to overcome addiction with the help of our professional medical staff, effective treatments, and comfortable facilities. Your new life begins here, where high-end amenities meet personalized attention. Get in touch with us right now if you want to break free from heroin dependency.