As the opioid epidemic continues to sweep through the U.S., it’s led to an increase in the number of people in desperate need of a heroin addiction treatment program. Heroin often becomes the drug of choice for those who start off abusing prescription drugs like Vicodin. It changes how the brain functions, affecting a person’s behavior to the point where they may be unrecognizable to their loved ones. Getting help through a heroin addiction treatment center offers the promise of returning to a clean and healthy lifestyle.
The Effects of Heroin Addiction
One of the reasons that treatment for heroin and other opioids becomes complicated is how the drugs affect brain chemistry. The drug stimulates the release of dopamine once it gets inside the brain and binds to receptors found throughout the body. They affect your perception of pain and pleasure. Taking heroin increases the pleasurable effects, driving you to seek more of the substance to continue the feeling.
Long-term heroin abuse ends up changing the structure of the brain and its functions. People start building up a tolerance to the drug. They become dependent and desperate to get more heroin to avoid experiencing uncomfortable or painful withdrawal symptoms. People also experience psychological side effects of continued heroin abuse.
There’s no one cause of heroin addiction. However, factors like genetics or the environment could make you more vulnerable to substance abuse. Receiving treatment at a Florida heroin rehab center can help you safely overcome your addiction while providing the support needed to achieve lasting recovery no matter the original causes.
Signs of a Heroin Addiction
The symptoms experienced because of a heroin addiction vary depending on factors like family history and the frequency of your heroin use. Typical symptoms of heroin addiction include:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings and irritability
- Weight loss
- Disorientation
- Paranoia
- Cravings
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- Loss of focus at school or work
If your heroin addiction continues without admission to a heroin addiction treatment program, you could experience physical problems like:
- Respiratory issues
- Liver disease
- Blood Clots
- Stroke
- Heart problems
- Seizures
- Collapsed and scarred veins
- Kidney disease
- Poor mental functioning
- Death
Put a stop to heroin addiction by regularly participating in addiction treatment and aftercare programs. You don’t have to suffer through these symptoms.
Going Through Heroin Withdrawal
Most people continue to abuse heroin to avoid going through withdrawal. But a heroin addiction treatment program plan includes professional detox. Heroin detox programs reduce withdrawal symptoms. Many of the common side effects begin setting in a few hours after your last use of heroin.
- Constant craving for heroin
- A heavy feeling throughout the body
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Fever
- Insomnia
- Aches and pains in bones and muscles
- Rapid mood swings
The severity of heroin withdrawal symptoms varies from person to person. Most professionals agree that it’s not a good idea to go cold turkey. It may result in an immediate relapse and overdose if tolerance has dropped.
Getting help at a heroin addiction treatment program allows you to deal with your heroin issues under the guidance of experienced addiction treatment specialists. Gaining the proper tools and skills against the causes of addiction helps prevent relapse.
Heroin Addiction Treatment Program Options
Because of the way heroin affects the mind and body, it’s important to receive help at a Florida substance abuse treatment program capable of creating individualized treatment plans. That allows you to receive the kind of help needed to guide you down the path to long-term recovery.
Research your heroin addiction treatment program option thoroughly to make sure you’re attending a place geared toward providing you with the care needed to help you live a healthy, substance-free life.
