Heroin is an opiate that causes psychological, physical, and social implications and results in overdose and death. Heroin is highly addictive and extremely dangerous. A person can develop an addiction to heroin after the first use.
Addiction is complex. Heroin is an opiate that causes psychological, physical, and social implications and can result in overdose and death. A person builds a tolerance to heroin each time he or she uses it. This usually leads to taking more of it, more often to achieve the same intense high as the first time. As a person uses more heroin and more often, the risk of overdose or death becomes more possible.
Heroin addiction can be linked to painkiller abuse. An article by Maia Szalavitz in 2016 for The Washington Post states, “Research that 75 percent of patients in heroin treatment started their opioid use with prescription medications, not heroin. That sounds like pain treatment is at the root of the problem, and the CDC is targeting doctors with new guidelines aimed at reining in prescriptions.
Painkillers such as OxyContin and morphine are opiates prescribed to patients for pain relief and should be taken as directed by a physician. According to the CDC, opioid overdoses kill about five people every hour across the U.S. with the victims totaling 5,400 more in 2016 than the number of soldiers who died during the Vietnam War (Reynolds, 2018). The misuse and availability of pain medication has launched into a full-blown opioid epidemic.
The withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. Medication-assisted detox allows a professional to monitor the process and prescribe medication such as Methadone or Suboxone, to lessen withdrawals from heroin. Some withdrawal symptoms include depression, strong cravings, sweats, chills, sleeplessness, nausea and suicidal thoughts.
Heroin addiction affects everything in a person’s life. Relationships with loved ones are destroyed, physical and mental health is compromised, and jobs are at risk. Heroin interferes with responsibilities and time spent with loved ones. As the addiction progresses, the individual’s physical appearance deteriorates and psychological well-being diminishes.
If you or a loved one is battling an addiction to heroin, you are not alone. Recovery from addiction does happen. Many people recover from heroin addiction and proceed to live healthy, sober, and fulfilling lives. Embrace the opportunity to enjoy living substance-free.
Cypress Lakes Lodge offers treatment for addiction in a peaceful, remote, oxygen-rich environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204