Heroin Detox Treatment, Help & Medication

Heroin is one of the most addictive illegal substances, and even one-off or sporadic heroin use has a high chance of leading to an overdose. Heroin has a ‘fast’ high – it enters the brain quickly, and leads to an intense high. However, repeated usage of heroin can lead to heroin tolerance, meaning that more and more heroin is needed for the same effect, or to feel ‘normal’.Using heroin more than once can lead to addiction – and being addicted to heroin can cause further issues with relationships, work, and everyday life – almost all aspects of life can be negatively affected by heroin addiction.Because heroin is so addictive and heroin abuse is so common, it’s one of the world’s most dangerous opioids. Heroin is often easier to access than prescription opioids, which is how many people get addicted.People who have a family history of addiction may be more at risk of becoming addicted to heroin– for example, drug addiction or alcohol addiction. Likewise, severe depression, anxiety, and heavy tobacco use could be risk factors – as can environmental factors such as exposure to high-risk individuals.The symptoms of heroin addiction can present pretty quickly – usually within seconds when injected. Some ways that heroin use can present physically (physical symptoms) may include nausea and vomiting, constipation, slow breathing, sleeping, lack of self-control, flushed skin, and dry mouth. Heroin users may also experience memory loss, trouble making decisions, disorientation, and a heavy feeling.One of the main signs of heroin addiction or opiate addiction is not being able to stop using – regardless of the negative implications that they may face. It can be easy to hide the symptoms of heroin addiction, and users may go to lengths to hide their use. However, the general rule of thumb is that the more that a person uses, the harder it will be to hide the addiction.