Heroin Abuse

Heroin abuse often leads to heroin addiction which is one of the hardest drug addictions to beat. When someone abuses heroin, it causes the brain to produce a substance called dopamine which is what gives a person that sensation of extreme pleasures. This pleasure effect is one of the reasons it is among the toughest drug addictions to get over. As the person continues their heroin abuse in an attempt to recreate the pleasurable experience, they develop a tolerance to the heroin.  Once heroin abuse has created a tolerance situation, the addict needs to consume more heroin for the same effect. In this way the user’s addiction grows as does the potential risk for overdose.

Heroin Related Deaths

Heroin is one of the worst drug addictions and one of the hardest to break, causing the most damage both physically and mentally.  Heroin is an opiod and a derivative of morphine, only much more powerful.  Heroin related deaths are not uncommon and may come as a result of taking a mixture of drugs – a.k.a.drug cocktails,or mixture of heroin and alcohol,impurities in the drug, such as quinine, which produced adverse reactions in some injectors. Death by asphyxiation in one’s vomit is also common among people who mix alcohol with drugs, which often occurs at parties.

Treatment for Heroin Abuse and Addiction

When a person is addicted to heroin, it takes their own willpower and help of many different medical experts to overcome the addiction. All drug addictions that have to do with heroin need to be treated on an inpatient basis at a qualified addiction treatment center. The detox facility within the treatment center will medically manage the heroin withdrawal symptoms and other medical problems will also be addressed.  Most drug addiction rehab centers use Methadone to help a user get off a heroin addiction.  But Methadone is also an opiod and needs to be monitored very carefully or a person can become addicted to it too.

If you struggle with heroin abuse or addiction and need help call us at 1-800-943-0566.  Our addiction counselors can offer you assistance any time of day or night, seven days a week and all calls are completely confidential.