Pain is an inevitable part of life. Most people will feel physical pain multiple times over the course of their lives, with many having instances of it throughout the day. Maybe they walk into a door, stub their toe, or spill coffee on themselves. Whatever the case, they will feel pain. But the pain is fleeting, and it’s bearable.
For some people, pain is neither of those things. Pain is constant, and it’s so intense that it can be hard to focus on anything else. There are treatments available for this condition, and one of those treatment options is prescribing an opioid medication. These medications bind to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce the sensation of pain.
However, while this form of drug use can benefit those who suffer from chronic or acute pain, it can also come with a major set of problems. When a prescription runs out, but their pain doesn’t, many people turn to illegal substances such as heroin.
Heroin is addictive, but Luxe Recovery is a world-class rehabilitation center that can help people recover from substance abuse and live sober, healthy lives.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid drug that is made from the seeds of the poppy plant. It takes the appearance of a white or brown powder or as a sticky substance that is known as black tar heroin. Heroin is illegal in the United States, and the nation’s Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means that it has no accepted medical use and a high risk of misuse and addiction.
Is Heroin Addiction Common?
The use of opioids, both legal and illegal, is prevalent in the United States as the country faces an ongoing opioid epidemic. Heroin is a highly addictive substance and is a major factor in the opioid epidemic.
In 2021, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated that around 1.1 million people over the age of 12 used heroin. That said, the rate of people who overdose on heroin has decreased significantly in recent years, according to reports by the Centers for Disease Control.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
A heroin addiction can come with several symptoms, both physical and psychological. These symptoms can include:
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms of heroin addiction include constricted pupils, dry mouth, drowsiness, respiratory problems, nausea, vomiting, constipation, runny nose, watery eyes, and scabs or bruises. If a person uses heroin by injecting it, they may have track marks from needles. Many heroin users will also lose weight and neglect their personal hygiene.
Psychological Symptoms
The effects of this form of substance use are not limited to a person’s body. It can also affect a person’s mind. Psychological symptoms include intense cravings for the drug, which can compel people to use the drug over and over again, making it likely that they will become addicted to heroin.
Heroin abuse can also include symptoms such as depression, anxiety, increased irritability, paranoia, mood swings, and delusions. Some users may also become apathetic and lose interest in day-to-day life.
Effects of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction can have many effects on a person’s behavioral health. One way it can change a person’s behavior is to make them more secretive. They may withdraw from family and friends to obfuscate their drug use.
Another effect is that it can lead to heroin dependence, and the body and mind become dependent on heroin to continue functioning. This can also lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if a user stops taking the drug.
A worrying effect of addiction is that long-term heroin use can cause a person to develop a tolerance. This can cause a user to ingest more of the drug to get the high that they want. This can increase the risk of overdose.
Signs of Heroin Overdose
Speaking of an overdose, several signs may indicate that a user has overdosed. One sign is that they may have respiratory depression, as heroin can affect a person’s breathing. They may also lose consciousness and become unresponsive. Their pulse and blood pressure may also become weak.
When a person overdoses on heroin, their skin may become pale, cold, or clammy. Their lips and fingernails may turn blue or purple. If they’re not unconscious, then they become drowsy. They may also have constricted pupils.
Fluid buildup in the lungs can also cause a person to make choking sounds, which is often referred to as a ‘death rattle.’
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal can cause a person to experience several symptoms. These can include muscle aches, abdominal cramps, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chills. Psychological symptoms of withdrawal can include intense cravings for the drug, anxiety, depression, and irritability.
Symptoms typically start within 6 to 12 hours after the last use of the drug and reach their peak in around 1 to 3 days. Still, their duration and severity can vary based on each user’s personal history of heroin use and individual health. Co-occurring mental health conditions can also exacerbate some withdrawal symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors for Heroin Use
Many factors can put someone at risk for heroin addiction. Genetics can play a major role, as those with a family history of addiction are more likely to develop an addiction themselves.
Mental health disorders can also make someone more likely to use drugs like heroin, as some may turn to illicit substances to cope with their symptoms. Speaking of which, opioids are often used as pain relievers, so anyone with chronic pain can develop an addiction to opioids and may turn to fentanyl if their prescription for legitimate medication runs out.
Environmental factors such as early exposure to drugs and being in an environment where drug use is tolerated can also lead people to substance use and addiction.
Get Help for Heroin Addiction at Luxe Recovery
Pain is a part of life, and sometimes, it can be such a prevalent part that some people turn to whatever means available to relieve themselves of that pain. However, some of the ways that people use to relieve pain can end up hurting them in other ways through addiction.
But addiction can be overcome. It’s not a condition that can be cured, but it can be managed with the right support and treatment. At Luxe Recovery, we offer our patients a chance to retake their lives from addiction and reclaim their futures.
