How Heroin Takes Over

Many people initially try heroin for the euphoric rush. True to its reputation, the drug typically delivers. For a brief few minutes, individuals experience a rush of dopamine that translates into a high. Then, they spend a few hours drifting in and out of consciousness.
Users likely feel relaxed. Because they like the way they felt, they’ll often try doing it again. However, repeated use will often lead to addiction. Therapists at the heroin addiction rehab center Southern CA trust frequently hear about this turning point.
At the Phoenix Rising residential treatment center, clients repeatedly recount how heroin took over. One day, they awoke to withdrawal symptoms. They would have done anything for the next fix, and it scared them.
Are You At Risk?
Anyone who uses opioids or heroin is at risk for developing an opioid use disorder. But some factors increase the risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of those risk factors are:
- Personal or family history of substance addiction
- Heavy use of tobacco
- History of severe anxiety or depression
- Unemployment
- Contact with high-risk environments and people
If you or a loved one have one or many of the risk factors, it doesn’t mean that they necessarily have or will have an SUD. These are just some things to be aware of.
Signs You May Be Addicted to Heroin
During the early stages of heroin usage, you might not have any symptoms of a disorder, particularly if you’re taking steps to hide the use. As your use increases, it becomes more difficult to hide. Signs of heroin addiction can include:
- Agitation or drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Constricted pupils
- Depression
- Memory problems
- Needle marks (if injecting heroin)
- Runny nose or nose sores (if snorting heroin)
- Constipation
- Reduced sense of pain
- Change in appearance, lack of personal hygiene
- Changes in behavior such as secrecy or aggression
- Money issues such as missing money or needing more and more without a logical reason
- Problems at school or work
- Risky or dangerous behavior
One of the singular features of addiction is that the person is not able to stop despite multiple attempts while knowing the negative consequences of continuing. If you are using heroin, you have probably realized that you need to use more and more heroin to get that same blissful feeling you used to get. This is called building tolerance, and you may be on your way to an overdose.
Detox: The First Step in Heroin Addiction Recovery
Now that we’ve covered the basics, what can you do about it?
Detox–Recovery begins with detoxification. This is the process that rids your body of the toxins that have built up in your body through your drug use.
The length of time it takes for you to detox depends on:
- The severity of your addiction
- How long you were addicted
Heroin withdrawal can be extremely painful and debilitating. In the detox center, you will have 24-hour monitoring in case of an emergency. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness
- Extreme muscle and bone pain
- Sleep disturbances
MAT Treatment for Heroin Addiction Recovery
Medication-assisted treatment at the heroin rehab center can keep you comfortable while you go through withdrawal. Similarly, you won’t suffer from dehydration and other side effects. After about a week, you’ll break the physiological dependency. That’s a huge step.