Heroin Addiction Facts

Recovering from heroin addiction is not an easy feat. Thankfully, you and your loved ones do not have to go through it alone. Arming yourself with heroin addiction facts can prepare you to help yourself or others get the heroin addiction treatment programs needed to get clean and stay clean. BrightView’s MAT clinics in Ohio are here to help you break free from heroin addiction. Call us today at 888.501.9865 to learn more about how medication-assisted treatment can help you achieve long-term recovery.

Heroin Addiction Facts

You may already be familiar with heroin addiction and how it can impact your life and those around you. There are, however, some facts you may find surprising. Get to know the signs and risks of heroin addiction; it could help save a life. FACT: Heroin is one of the most highly addictive drugs. Users can develop a tolerance for it easily, typically needing higher doses of the drug more often to get the same high. Some of the signs of heroin use to look out for include:

• Dry mouth
• Constricted pupils
• Itching
• Needle marks
• Sleepiness
• Isolation
• Poor personal hygiene
• Slowed breathing

FACT: People who become addicted to prescription opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin are at a higher risk of turning to heroin. In fact, the majority of people who tried heroin began after misusing prescription opioids. Some of the risks involved with long-term heroin use include:

• Vein damage
• Heart problems
• Depression
• Pneumonia
• Liver and kidney disease
• Insomnia
• Abscesses
• Disrupted menstrual cycles
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Sexual dysfunction
• Damage to blood vessels
• Hypoxia-induced brain damage

FACT: If you were to stop using heroin cold turkey, the withdrawal symptoms could be quite severe. The symptoms of withdrawing from heroin abruptly may include:

• Vomiting
• Chills and goosebumps
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Leg twitching or jerking
• Insomnia
• Intense cravings

If someone you care about is struggling with opioid use disorder, one way to support them is by encouraging them to seek help at a drug addiction treatment center.

How a Heroin Addiction Treatment Program Can Help

Many people have found success with medication-assisted treatment for heroin addiction. Specific medications are prescribed to help you get through the withdrawal phase and decrease your dependence on drugs, taking some of the challenges out of recovery. A heroin addiction treatment plan may consist of the following:

• Buprenorphine – This medication is frequently used to treat opioid use disorders. It is a partial agonist and can produce similar effects to opioids but at a lower dose. Withdrawal symptoms can be mitigated when taking buprenorphine.
• Methadone – This medication is used to treat opioid addiction. It helps decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings while also blocking the euphoria that users get from heroin.
• Naloxone – This medication is used to help reverse a heroin overdose. It is often given by first responders in overdose emergencies but can also be administered by family members of those struggling with opioid addiction.
• Counseling and therapy – When combined with medications, therapy is an integral part of recovery from heroin addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you address issues in your life that have led to drug use and teach you coping skills to help you deal with daily stressors without turning to substances.

Take Back Control of Your Life at BrightView

Breaking free of heroin addiction can be challenging, but BrightView’s medication-assisted treatment centers can help you heal. Our professional staff has experience helping our patients recover from even the most severe addictions through medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling, group therapy, and continued support to help them stay clean. To find out more about our heroin addiction treatment programs in Ohio, call us at 888.501.9865 today.