Heroin abuse, a devastating reality faced by countless individuals and families, casts a long shadow over lives, dismantling dreams and futures with its addictive grasp. It’s an affliction that transcends age, gender, and socioeconomic status, ensnaring those in its path into a relentless cycle of dependence and despair. However, amidst this grim landscape, there is hope for recovery and renewal. Royal Life Detox provides comprehensive care for individuals seeking liberation from the chains of heroin addiction, offering not only a chance at sobriety but also an opportunity to reclaim the life that heroin addiction has overshadowed.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is a highly addictive, mind-altering drug made from morphine. Heroin is classified as an opioid, sharing this title with such pain medications as codeine, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Typically, pure heroin is a bitter white powder originating from South America and South Asia. Pure heroin can be snorted or smoked, giving it a bit more of an appeal as injection isn’t necessary. It is also sold in an impure form that looks like sticky black tar. Black tar heroin is usually dissolved and injected.
Heroin affects basic physiological functioning such as heart rate, sleeping, and breathing, and creates an artificial sensation of pleasure. Yearly, it is estimated that around 15,000 men and women die from heroin overdose alone and nearly 1 million American’s report that they are using the drug. It is a major contributor to the current opioid crisis in our country.
Heroin Effects
Heroin is an extremely addictive drug that is derived from the opium poppy plant. It belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids, which also includes prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone.
When someone uses heroin, it binds to specific receptors in the brain, which are responsible for controlling pain and pleasure sensations. This causes a rush of euphoria and relaxation, making the user feel intense pleasure and relief from any physical or emotional pain they may be experiencing.
However, this temporary high comes with severe side effects. Some common short-term effects of heroin include:
- Dry mouth
- Warm flushed skin
- Heavy feeling in arms and legs
- Severe itching
- Drowsiness
- Slowed breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Impaired judgment
The short-term effects of heroin usually subside after about a week, although the process is extremely uncomfortable without medical assistance.
Long-term effects of heroin use are even more serious and may include:
- Insomnia
- Collapsed veins
- Infection of heart lining and valves
- Constipation and stomach cramping
- Liver and kidney disease
- Lung complications
- Depression and antisocial personality disorder
- Sexual dysfunction and irregular menstruation
The long-term effects of heroin can be dangerous, and withdrawal can be life-threatening without medical assistance.
Risks of Heroin Abuse
Addiction has many short and long term side effects and impacts physical and mental health at all levels. IV heroin users are also at high risk for contracting contagious blood diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Heroin users generally are at high risk of overdose, especially when they mix the opiate with other chemicals such as crack. The rise of fentanyl being added into heroin has made the already deadly drug even more lethal. Roughly 25% of all U.S. overdose deaths in 2016 were heroin overdoses and the numbers just continue to rise.
Heroin Withdrawal
Withdrawal from heroin is physically and emotionally taxing, and withdrawal symptoms vary in severity, though most will last about a week. Your overall age and health, as well as how much you have used are all contributing factors to your withdrawal. Physical dependence on heroin could be either the biggest roadblock or motivation for treatment.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Restlessness
- Severe muscle and bone pain
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes with goosebumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Severe cravings
Addiction is never easy, especially with how painful and dangerous withdrawal is. For that reason, without medically assisted or supervised detox, many will relapse and continue to use heroin.
Should I Seek Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
It is not easy to decide to make a change. Quitting an addiction that your body is dependent on is one of the hardest things you can do. Thankfully, you are not alone. If you believe that you or someone you love is struggling with heroin use, Royal Life Detox is here to help you, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Do any of the behaviors below sound like you or your loved one?
- Planning activities around heroin use
- Engaging in other high-risk behaviors
- Prioritizing heroin over other things
- Loss of interest in activities not involving heroin
- Lying or stealing to obtain heroin
- Withdrawal symptoms and/or heroin cravings
If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or others, you may have a heroin problem and require medical help to safely detox. Because of the high risks of blood borne pathogens and disease, it is very important to break free of the grasp of heroin as soon as you recognize that there is a problem.
Heroin Detox
To overcome addiction, treatment is critical. Without medical supervision, accredited staff and a facility that cares, withdrawal from the drug could be lethal. If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin, it is imperative to get help immediately.
Royal Life Detox is committed to providing the safest, most effective medication-assisted heroin detox, followed by carefully structured, individualized medical regiments, an intensive therapy program, and extensive aftercare options. Our goal at Royal Life Detox is to make detoxification from heroin as smooth and comfortable as possible. Our guests are monitored through and after detox, and medical staff are on-site 24/7 to ensure safety and comfort.
What Happens After Heroin Detox?
Following medical detox at Royal Life Detox, guests will begin a comprehensive, collaborative approach to substance abuse treatment designed to support physical, mental and spiritual wellness. We offer a variety of detox options for treating drug addiction beyond just heroin. Each of our heroin rehab programs promote a lasting, sober lifestyle through sobriety and beyond. Our addiction specialists, from our therapists and case managers to our facility staff, are dedicated to providing the best in care and support.
Royal Life Detox’s holistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy incorporates individual and group sessions. We use other holistic methods, such as art, music and animal therapy to help our guests to learn to express themselves and communicate. At Royal Life Detox, we believe that emotional healing is just as important as physical healing. Our treatment features state-of-the-art activity, movement, and adventure therapies to create one program that treats mind, body, and spirit.
Guests may begin their recovery journey in our residential inpatient program and continue with us through PHP, IOP, OP, and sober living at our graduate housing residences. At Royal Life Detox, the guest is always our top priority, and we consistently do all we can to effect lasting change, that they might continue to lead healthy, sober lives long after they have left our care. This is not just our goal, but our mission.
Heroin Detox in Arizona
Heroin addiction is a complex issue and recovery will require ongoing support. At Royal Life Detox, we offer comprehensive opioid addiction treatment programs to ensure long-term success in maintaining sobriety. Our team will work with you to create an individualized plan that includes therapy, support groups, and other resources that can aid in your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin abuse, please reach out to us about your detox and treatment options. Royal Life Detox admissions staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Because We Care.
