Heroin is a highly addictive and dangerous illegal substance made from morphine. Short-term and long-term use can cause physical and psychological symptoms, and withdrawal can be excruciating. Treatment options include medical detoxification, counseling, and rehabilitation centers.
Heroin is a dangerous and incredibly addictive illegal substance made synthetically from morphine. Users often become addicted to the substance, sometimes after just one experience, and suffer excruciating physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when the drug is unavailable. There are many telltale signs of heroin abuse, which manifest when an individual is actively using the drug, has been abusing it for a long time, or is experiencing physical withdrawal. Short-term symptoms include nausea, confusion, and slowed breathing, while long-term use can cause general addictive symptoms, such as relying on the drug to work. Withdrawal can bring intense physical pain, tremors and fever.
Short-term heroin abuse causes obvious physical symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, speech and mental processing difficulties, and slowed breathing. Heroin brings an immediate feeling of euphoria and pain relief, which practically disrupts the mind and body’s ability to function properly. As the initial intense rush subsides, users may begin to feel sick as their bodies try to reject the drug. Many people are unable to think clearly or engage in meaningful conversation with others.
Research shows that a large percentage of people who experiment with heroin quickly become addicted. Addiction involves the development of both dependence on the drug and increased tolerance levels. Individuals experience physical and mental dependence to the point that their entire life is consumed by obtaining and using the drug. Ever-increasing tolerance levels mean that larger amounts of heroin are needed to produce the same results. As people use the drug more frequently and in larger amounts, the risk of overdose and death increases almost exponentially.
When an addicted person does not have access to drugs, they usually experience severe psychological and physical withdrawal. Years of heroin abuse leaves an individual’s central nervous system completely addicted to the drug, and severe physical symptoms appear within two days of withdrawal. People often suffer from insomnia, cold flashes, fever, vomiting, and severe pain in their muscles and bones. Most signs of physical withdrawal from heroin abuse can take up to four days to completely disappear, but the psychological craving can persist for years.
There are many treatment options available for people suffering from heroin abuse. Active users may need to undergo medical detoxification procedures to clear the drug from their bodies and begin the recovery process. Drugs such as methadone and Valium® are commonly prescribed to relieve the physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal. Clinical counseling sessions, group therapy, and inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation centers can help people regain control over their bodies and learn to live meaningful and productive lives without relying on drugs.
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