Heroin addiction and abuse
Heroin addiction stages and treatment
Heroin is known worldwide as one of the most addictive and dangerous illegal drugs; Since it was first produced and put on the market at the end of the 19th century. She was responsible for the destruction and premature expiration of countless lives. The effects of heroin spread very quickly (intravenous use in particular has an almost immediate effect) and include a deep feeling of euphoria, well-being, and satisfaction that usually lasts for up to two hours (although peak effects usually do not last for long).
However, despite this grim record, the horrific reputation it has generated, and the efforts of governments and judicial authorities in every corner of the planet to restrict and discourage its use (including imposing very severe criminal penalties), every year the allure of this. The “devil’s drug” has been proven to be too powerful for many thousands of users to resist. A tragically large percentage of them will go on to develop addiction with all the dire consequences of that. If you or someone close to you suffers from a heroin addiction, don’t delay: Contact an addiction professional today as a first step on the road to recovery.
What is heroin?
“Heroin” is the trade name given to diamorphine by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer in 1895. It is an opiate (a drug derived from the opium poppy) made from morphine (which was already widely available as a drug, as well as a substance for recreational use and abuse).
It is usually found as a powder (usually brown, although pure heroin is often white). Heroin (the substance most commonly seen in the public eye with intravenous drug use) is often injected, although it can also be smoked, inhaled, or inhaled (with these methods commonly deployed by newcomers to the drug).
heroin consumption
It usually causes a distinct feeling of drowsiness (often pleasant) which can fall into sleep or unconsciousness at high doses.
Heroin use poses a wide range of potentially catastrophic health risks to the user which can include death from overdose. It is also known to be one of the most addictive drugs on the market, resulting in both physical and psychological addiction. (often after a relatively small number of doses) and, once dependence is established, is associated with significant and often very troublesome withdrawal symptoms.
Because of the high risk of addiction and damage to a person’s well-being and life conditions. And the danger to health posed by a single dose of heroin, authorities around the world always classify the drug within the most dangerous categories enshrined in their own legal code. frameworks, with the harshest penalties for possession and supply.
In the UK, heroin is a Class A controlled substance with possible prison sentences even for mere possession of the drug. While it is relatively unlikely that first-time offenders will be jailed simply for possession, heroin shame tends to produce stronger reactions on the part of authorities (and indeed, by society in general) than even other Class A drugs. As far as British society is concerned, when it comes to illegal drugs, heroin is the worst of it all. Call us now for help 00201029275503
How does heroin affect the body?
When heroin is consumed, it is broken down in the brain into morphine which binds to specific receptors resulting in euphoric, analgesic and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects; At the same time, it causes the release of histamine, which causes the user to feel itchy.
Repeated use very quickly leads to the development of tolerance in the user (as their system gets used to certain doses of heroin and requires more than before to produce the same “high”) and in dependency, which occurs as the user’s brain chemistry adapts to deal with the presence of heroin in the system.
When this presence is no longer palpable. The body then reacts to the absence in a series of potentially very disturbing responses known as withdrawal symptoms (see below) until readjustment to the previous normal state is complete. If too much heroin is consumed at once for the user’s system to handle. This may result in an overdose (see below) which can be fatal, even after just one dose.
Causes of heroin addiction
What causes a person to develop a drug addiction remains a topic of debate within the medical community. Obviously, it is impossible to become addicted to something if it was never consumed in the first place. But among those people who abuse addictive substances. There is a wide range of responses:
Some people can engage in repeated substance abuse over a long period without developing a psychological addiction. (For details of the difference between psychological and physical addiction, see below). While others can find themselves addicted after very few doses. It is generally accepted that genes and environment play a role, with certain environmental factors such as exposure to drug abuse during childhood being a cause of addiction later on.
Because heroin is a highly addictive substance. However, even people who may not be particularly susceptible to psychological addiction can become addicted fairly quickly if they engage in repeated heroin abuse within a short period of time. Especially if the user is injecting heroin (a good general rule of thumb is that most aspects of heroin use and addiction, from “high” strength to severity of withdrawal symptoms, are intensified by intravenous consumption).
The difference between abuse and addiction
It is possible to take heroin — even intravenously, despite the warning above — without developing an addiction. Heroin abuse occurs when someone consumes heroin in amounts, in ways and/or circumstances that cause harm to themselves and/or others—when recreational use goes beyond the point of “fun”. Addiction is a state of desire – often obsession. in taking heroin regardless of the negative ramifications of doing so, feeling that the addict cannot feel “normal” or achieve a state of well-being without the drug. In the case of heroin, this can also accompany a physical dependence on the drug which means discontinuation of use will result in withdrawal symptoms.
Physical heroin dependence and tolerance
Heroin is known to be physically addictive: unlike many other drugs (even some notorious ones) it creates physical dependence on the part of the user who leaves their body craving the drug and exhibits a range of negative responses – withdrawal symptoms – when taking heroin is no longer present in the system.
As noted above, dependence develops when the user’s brain becomes accustomed to the presence of heroin and adjusts its chemical makeup accordingly: the “normal” state then becomes a state in which heroin is present, and in order to maintain this normal functioning (and a sense of stability and well-being on the part of the user) the user must continue to heroin consumption.
Only after a period of detoxification (usually accompanied by withdrawal symptoms) when the system is cleared of heroin can the system return to “normal” to what it was before the onset of dependence.
Development of tolerance
Tolerance is similar to dependence in that it describes the process by which a user becomes accustomed to the presence of heroin in the system at certain doses. He needs to take more heroin to achieve the same “high” as before. Tolerance is a component of a number of overdose deaths: Addicts who have developed a tolerance to heroin require much larger doses than newcomers to the drug.
But if they stop using heroin and go through detoxification, this tolerance drops. However, if they relapse after a period of recovery, they may not drop their doses accordingly, and so may take too much medication for their post-detoxification regimen to handle.
psychological addiction
Psychological addiction to heroin is a state of persistent craving for the drug despite awareness of the negative consequences of using the drug. A person who has developed a psychological addiction will prioritize heroin use over most if not all other things and his or her life will usually revolve around the drug. Where buying and consuming it replaces other life goals.
Although the addiction/physical dependence will diminish and disappear after a period of detoxification. However, it is the psychological addiction that persists and may be responsible for the recovering addict returning and reusing heroin even after a long “clean” period. Psychological addictions are much more harmful than their physical counterparts and usually require treatment – sometimes for long periods – to overcome them completely.
Heroin Use vs. Heroin Abuse/Addiction
It is possible to use heroin recreationally without developing an addiction. (Although it is such a strong addictive substance that even occasional recreational use often leads to addiction before long.)
Recreational heroin use becomes abuse when it becomes harmful: when the doses or method of heroin consumption poses a risk to the user, or other aspects of its consumption pose a threat to the well-being of others. Likewise, abuse does not always lead to addiction, but the risk is high and the path from use through abuse to addition is often short.
heroin overdose
As the word suggests, a heroin overdose occurs when a user consumes so much heroin that their system cannot handle it, nor can they effectively deal with its toxicity. Overdose can occur almost immediately after intravenous administration of the drug.
Symptoms include shallow breathing, reduced pupil and loss of consciousness, which can lead to death within minutes if not treated, either directly as a result of the patient not being able to breathe adequately, or indirectly, for example from inhaling vomit or hitting their head after Autumn.
Even those who survive an overdose can suffer permanent brain damage as well as conditions such as edema and rhabdomyolysis (muscular dystrophy).
heroin overdose
Overdose is the leading cause of death among heroin addicts and until fairly recently doctors were relatively powerless to stop its worst effects – especially if the addict was already weak and/or ill, it was often just a matter of luck whether or not one came through a round of overdose. .
However, in recent years a drug known as naloxone has become available to doctors, paramedics and other medical professionals in the UK reflecting the effects on a patient’s breathing: taking naloxone can often cause an overdose addict to return to consciousness remarkably quickly and while Not an absolute guarantee of survival, naloxone has saved countless lives since its expanded use in 2015.
If someone close to you experiences an overdose, call emergency services immediately. While waiting for the ambulance, put them in the recovery position and try to resuscitate them safely (make sure their airway is clean at all times): Do not administer any medication they may have, including naloxone, unless you have been trained in its use or can He receives instructions from someone who has it.
Consequences of heroin addiction
In the 1980s, in an effort to combat what was threatening to become an out-of-control heroin epidemic in the United Kingdom, the British government launched one of its most famous media campaigns: “Heroin Deceives You”. This message is as valid today as ever: Few drugs have the power to destroy a person’s life as comprehensively and quickly as heroin, and the consequences of heroin addiction can be as catastrophic as they are extensive.
Financial Consequences
Although heroin is by no means as expensive as some other drugs, its addiction is a significant financial burden. The daily dose for an addict varies from person to person, but in order to maintain the level of addictive consumption, the user will likely spend at least £20 per day – and this can easily go up to three figures if the addict is a heavy user.
For many people on the lower end of the wage scale, even the lowest number represents a large proportion of the wage taken from home, while heavy users or those without income simply won’t be able to fund their habits through normal channels: savings before resorting to theft or fraud, or even prostitution, to further fuel their addiction.
It is entirely possible for a heroin addict to turn someone from a wealthy professional on the move up with a home and other assets into a destitute beggar and/or a criminal in an eerily short period of time.
Emotional consequences
Heroin addiction can wreak emotional havoc; Clearly, the cost to a person’s self-esteem of being addicted (especially if they resort to humiliating measures to finance the habit) can be disastrous—similarly giving up on the hitherto cherished life goals and ambitions. Heroin abuse is a hidden and secret activity and the addict may find himself becoming a very deceptive person, which can be very distressing.
They may experience the loss of important friendships and other relationships – which causes emotional damage in and of itself but doubly when those relationships are replaced by feelings of isolation and loneliness. They may find themselves unable to see a way out of their addiction and their terrifying despair.
Not surprisingly, depression and even suicidal ideation are a common corollary of heroin addiction — with depression also frequently occurring as part of post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) among recovering addicts.
Physical consequences
Besides the risk of overdose and possible permanent harm discussed above, heroin abuse almost has a fatal effect on the user’s body – especially if they inject the drug, as lesions and abscesses can develop around the injection sites which can develop into blood poisoning and even gangrene. and necrosis, which may require amputation; Injecting heroin also greatly increases a person’s risk of contracting diseases such as HIV.
Because of the usually bad lifestyle of heroin addict, poor diet, skin and dental complaints. Conditions (such as parasites) related to inadequate hygiene and many others may develop without treatment as the user focuses only on maintaining their habit.
family consequences
Having a family member addicted can be devastating. Heroin addiction is also responsible for a huge number of family breakdowns as those living with the addict become unable to tolerate the deception, aggression and risky behavior that characterizes the condition.
In addition to the effect on their self-esteem which can result when a “family member chooses heroin instead.” Parents of addicts risk losing custody of their children, while accidents and/or acts of violence while under the influence can have dire consequences. Family well-being can also be affected by the financial cost of addiction, especially if shared assets (such as the family home) are threatened.
How is heroin addiction treated?
As is the case with most cases of addiction. The most successful approach to treating heroin addiction is usually a combination of treatments. It is provided after detoxification under medical supervision (possibly in a residential rehabilitation – “rehabilitation” – setting). It may be increased by attendance at support for some time (perhaps even years) after the addiction is initially broken.
There are many types of treatment that have been proven effective. Because every addiction is unique and everyone responds differently to different treatment models. A few different models may need to be tried before the patient settles on the approach that they feel is right for them.
There are a huge number of different treatment methods on the market (they can be accessed privately online). And some are only approved by doctors (and some are considered extremely dangerous); Always consult your doctor and/or addiction specialist before starting any course of treatment.Heroin Detox
A period of detoxification is essential before starting treatment – this detoxification process should be carried out with the help of a medical professional. (For more information, see our page on detoxification.) Heroin Rehab
Residential rehabilitation (“rehabilitation”). It is addiction treatment in a dedicated confidential facility where the addict can receive treatment while having access to health professionals. 24/7 in a relaxed environment where they can focus on their recovery away from the temptations of everyday life.
Coping with heroin and drug dependence
Many drugs have been developed to help heroin addicts. They can help break their addiction without moving directly to a completely drug-free life. Which can be very stressful and often lead to relapse. Substances such as methadone are available, which acts as a substitute for heroin. through the NHS; Patients usually start with a prescription for a specific dose and then this dose is gradually reduced over time (“taper”).
Methadone is not without its problems, and it is addictive in and of itself. But it can especially help heroin users who have trouble getting away from a life of crime. There are also a number of drugs that counteract the effect of heroin itself. This makes taking the drug useless. (The user can no longer feel the “high” and his body reacts unpleasantly to the presence of heroin)
These include buprenorphine (under the trade name Subutex) and buprenorphine/naloxone, marketed as Suboxone, among others. Addicts may feel anxious about treating their addiction with other drugs. Especially those that replace heroin. But in some cases, drug therapy is a necessary first step on the road to recovery. Especially in cases where the addict is involved in criminal activity to fund it. their habit.
The duration of treatment varies from case to case (and may be affected by court orders, in cases involving criminal activity). But the long-term goal remains a drug-free life. And if addictive drugs are seen as a necessary step. A stone to this goal is by no means a better option than continuing to take the heroin itself.
Heroin addiction and mental health
As noted above, heroin addiction can have devastating effects on mental health. Both directly as a result of the effects of drugs on the brain. or resulting indirectly from the effect of addiction on the addict’s life conditions and well-being.
Heroin abuse is also often a consequence of . And not a cause, though, for mental health problems: Many people start using drugs. especially pain reliever drugs such as heroin, to try to self-medicate for mental health disorders; In particular, there have been links created through research between PTSD, anxiety disorders, and heroin abuse.
Heroin addiction and depression
As noted above, heroin abuse can cause depression, either directly as a result of changes in brain chemistry. (either during addiction or as a result of withdrawal syndrome). Or because of the harm caused by addiction to life circumstances, relationships, employment prospects, and more.
Addiction treatment in these cases will also require treatment of the depression itself, as users may self-medicate. And the sudden absence of heroin can have a dangerous effect on brain chemistry, potentially leading users to contemplate suicide.
Heroin addiction and bipolar disorder
There have been multiple links between substance abuse and bipolar disorder. Up to 60% of people with the latter also engage in some form of substance abuse. Heroin in particular, with its relaxing “narcotic” effects, is a relatively popular choice for bipolar disorder patients looking to fend off the worst of the extremes; Meanwhile, long-term heroin use may have the potential to trigger the onset of bipolar disorder and related conditions, according to some research.
As with depression, heroin addiction treatment along with bipolar disorder. It would require a special approach so we don’t risk exacerbating the “lows” of bipolar disorder with potentially catastrophic outcomes. Call us now for help 00201029275503
Frequently asked questions
Why is heroin addiction so hard to overcome?
Can heroin addiction be cured?
Also, can heroin abuse cause diabetes?
Can heroin abuse cause brain damage?
How has heroin abuse become an epidemic?
Why is heroin abuse rising?
