When you think someone you love is abusing heroin, you feel urgent pressure for getting help. After all, the only safe way out of heroin addiction is through a heroin addiction treatment center. The earlier they get this help the better, so get to know the signs of heroin abuse. Then help your loved one start fresh in recovery, for a real chance of a better life.
Visible Signs of Heroin Abuse
The appearance of your loved one will show many physical signs of heroin abuse. They may complain about some of the side effects common to this drug’s use.
These outward, visible signs of heroin abuse include:
- Tiny pupils and blurred vision
- Dry mouth, slurred speech, and runny nose
- Delayed reactions and impaired movements
- Constipation
- Drowsiness, nodding off and limb heaviness
- Clammy skin
- Poor personal hygiene
As the high wears off, the person using it often experiences symptoms of early withdrawal. These signs of heroin abuse include irritability, sleep problems, anxiety, restlessness, anxiety, depression, chills, diarrhea, muscle aches, and nausea. These symptoms prompt them to use more heroin to help them feel better.
No one uses heroin under a doctor’s care. But sometimes people start abusing the drug because their prescription painkiller prescriptions run out. Others use heroin to escape the stress of everyday life.
Whatever the reason why your loved one ventured into heroin abuse, they need your help breaking free. That help comes from a PA heroin addiction treatment program. Through treatment in one of these leading drug and alcohol treatment centers, the person you love can rebuild their life.
Effects of Heroin on Behavior
Because heroin is a short-acting opioid, the drug’s effects almost instantly occur. This also means that the effects do not last long. Sometimes the high is only a few minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). So people abusing heroin often use multiple doses each day.
Noticeable behavior changes from heroin use include violent outbursts, erratic behavior, appetite changes, odd sleep patterns, and money problems. They also include lost motivation, low desire for engaging in favorite activities, mood swings, social issues, secrecy, and concentration problems.
When someone you love uses heroin, they detach from you and leave you feeling confused, abandoned and concerned, too. Take these clear signs in your own heart and mind as the signals they are, that your loved one needs your help. Help is available around the country including some of the best Florida addiction treatment centers.
Finding the Right Heroin Treatment
Finding heroin treatment for your loved one is not as difficult as you think. But you must help them quickly and effectively, as heroin brings many risks beyond the drug use. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that heroin is only one drug of multiple abused substances for 90 percent of those using it. This means overdose threat comes in multiple ways, not just from the heroin abuse.
When you see signs of heroin abuse, stop focusing on the signs and start focusing on getting help. You can save your loved one’s life and their future, by calling for the treatment they need.