Do you know someone who regularly uses heroin? Most of us do. Many of us have used it ourselves, And not surprisingly, many of us are still using it. Heroin is a drug that is much more affordable than it once was. It’s relatively easy to buy, and it makes people feel good for a short period of time. So, this being said, why shouldn’t we use heroin? The answer to this question boils down to three simple words — heroin side effects.
Heroin Side Effects: Long-Term Use
The most dangerous of heroin side effects, obviously, is death. Roughly 130 people die every day in America from overdosing on opioid drugs like heroin. They’re young people who just started college, middle-aged moms and dads who were raising teenagers, or even grandparents who were just years from retirement. Heroin doesn’t discriminate.
The side effects of heroin are severe enough to make quitting a necessity. Here’s what you need to know about the damage heroin use can cause:
- A single use of heroin can result in substance use disorder
- Heroin use can lead to permanent organ damage
- Injecting heroin increases your risk of contracting infectious diseases such as hepatitis or HIV
- Long-term heroin use can cause mental conditions such as depression or antisocial personality disorder
- Tissue damage may occur inside your nose, veins may collapse in your arms, and the lining of your heart may become infected if you regularly use heroin
The side effects listed here are worst-case scenarios and may not happen to everyone who uses this opioid drug. But, your risks go up the longer you partake. Even short-term usage of heroin causes unpleasant side effects that are best avoided.
Short-Term Heroin Side Effects
The short-term side effects of heroin usage may feel good. Unfortunately, that euphoria is short-lived. A heroin ‘rush’ may dissipate in as little as five minutes. The pleasant feelings of detachment and floating may last up to five hours. During this time you may also experience uncomfortable effects, including:
- Drifting in and out of awareness
- Heavy feelings in the extremities
- Flushed skin, dry mouth
- Severe itching
- Nausea, vomiting
- Confusion
For such a short, pleasant sensation, the negative side effects of heroin are brutal. If you care about someone who’s held captive by heroin, or if you’re struggling yourself, it’s vital to reach out for help as soon as possible.
Help for Heroin Addiction
Happily, just because you’re using heroin today doesn’t mean you’ll be using it tomorrow. A quality drug and alcohol treatment center in Palm Springs, CA can help you detox from heroin with few withdrawal symptoms. At Phoenix Rising, we’ll guide you gently through heroin detox using medication-assisted therapy that alleviates most of the painful symptoms of withdrawal, including cravings. Once the drug has left your body, your new life can begin.
At Phoenix Rising, we’ll teach you the coping skills and positive recovery behaviors you need to remain sober. We’ll surround you with supportive clinicians and peers who invest themselves in your recovery. You’ll participate in enlightening therapy sessions that help you recognize your triggers and come to terms with your risk factors.
At Phoenix Rising, we offer multiple, customized approaches to meet your specific recovery needs, including:
- Equine therapy program
- Art and music therapy
- Yoga and meditation
- psychodrama therapy program
- Group therapy program, family therapy program, and individual counseling
- Trauma counseling
Recovery at Phoenix Rising is not just efficient and effective, it’s a resort-level of care that’s designed to be fun and engaging, too. When you choose to recover with us, you’ll benefit from comfortable furnishings and accommodations, a warm and home-like atmosphere, and the most caring and experienced professionals available.
Recovery from heroin addiction or another substance use disorder is different when you opt for the Phoenix Rising experience. Call us today at 8552328211 to learn more about heroin side effects and why making the choice to recover is vital.