502-586-4554Our heroin addiction treatment in Louisville, KY strives to provide safe and effective options for heroin treatment in Louisville, Kentucky. Our programs and services at Louisville Addiction Center are designed to help individuals start their recovery journey properly to maximize the likelihood of successful recovery.
What is Heroin?
Heroin addiction is a serious affliction that can turn a person’s entire world upside down. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2020, about 902,000 people over the age of 12 reported using heroin in the last 12 months.
Heroin is a highly addictive, fast-acting opiate. Specifically, heroin is made from opium, the main component of morphine. Opium is a natural substance extracted from poppy seed pods. Addiction to heroin is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and use, regardless of the harmful consequences.
Heroin causes euphoria or a feeling of extreme happiness. It also produces drowsiness and nausea. When someone becomes addicted to heroin, their body becomes dependent on the drug to function normally.
Medications such as Sublocade or naltrexone are used to treat heroin addiction because they reduce cravings for heroin and block the effects of opiates on the body. These medications are taken under close medical supervision to avoid side effects and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
What Makes Heroin So Addictive?
As an opiate, heroin has inherently highly addictive properties. It can be injected, smoked, or snorted, and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. The drug works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which are involved in regulating pain and emotions.
As a result, this causes a rush of dopamine to be released into the brain’s pleasure centers, giving the user a surge of euphoria. Although heroin has been used for centuries as a painkiller and sedative, it is now more commonly used as a recreational drug. It is typically used intravenously (through an IV).
However, it can also be injected into muscle tissue or smoked if it has been mixed with tobacco or marijuana. Heroin can cause rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and respiratory failure within mere minutes after use because of its potency and rapid absorption into the bloodstream through an IV injection.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction is a serious and life-threatening condition. However, it can be successfully treated with professional help at our heroin addiction treatment in Louisville, KY.
In addition, heroin can affect anyone, and it is most common in young adults. The signs and symptoms of heroin addiction are similar to those of other addictions. These include:
Physical
The physical effects of heroin use include signs that heroin is taking its toll on the body, which begins to do damage soon after initial consumption. Some of the physical signs of addiction are known only to heroin users. However, over time, physical effects can become visible and apparent to others.
These physical signs and symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Small pupils
- Weight loss
- Needle tracks (commonly found on arms)
Behavioral
When heroin use takes over a person’s life, their whole world revolves around the drug. For this reason, there will usually be visible changes in it. Despite the many problems of heroin use, those addicted often continue to prioritize the drug over important commitments and relationships.
Behavioral signs and symptoms may include:
- Being dishonest about where they are going or what they are doing
- Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
- Requiring higher doses of heroin to feel the same effect (high tolerance)
What Are the Effects of Heroin Use?
Heroin is an opioid drug that affects the brain’s pleasure and reward centers. When heroin enters the brain, it binds to opioid receptors on cells located in these areas. This binding activates dopamine release, creating a feeling of euphoria or pleasure.
The onset and duration will vary depending on how it is taken, in addition to both the quality and the quantity of heroin used. The effects of heroin usually begin quickly and last longer if injected rather than smoked.
Short-Term Effects
Heroin is a depressant. It slows down the body’s functioning and affects one’s brain function. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), some of the short-term effects of heroin use include:
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Trouble breathing or shallow breathing
- A feeling of euphoria (feeling “high”)
Long-Term Effects
Repeated use of heroin results in the changing of the physical and physiology of an individual’s brain. This creates long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal functions that are not always reversible.
Heroin use has several negative long-term effects, including:
- Higher tolerance when using
- Addiction
- Low sex drive
- Damage to veins from injecting
- Skin infections
- Damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver
- Depression
- Overdose
- Painful withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal Symptoms From Heroin
In our heroin addiction treatment in Louisville, KY, we understand the debilitating withdrawal symptoms that accompany the journey to recovery from heroin addiction. Withdrawal marks a crucial first step in the detoxification process, signifying the body’s attempt to rid itself of the toxins associated with prolonged heroin use. Our heroin addiction treatment provides comprehensive care to manage these symptoms, ensuring a safer and more comfortable detox process.
Withdrawal symptoms from heroin can vary in intensity depending on factors such as the individual’s level of dependency, duration of use, and overall health.
Common withdrawal symptoms from heroin may include:
- Intense cravings for heroin
- Restlessness and agitation
- Muscle aches and pains
- Insomnia or disturbed sleep patterns
- Excessive sweating and yawning
- Runny nose and teary eyes
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping
- Dilated pupils and blurred vision
- Goosebumps and chills
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Anxiety, depression, and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
These withdrawal symptoms typically peak within the first 24 to 72 hours after the last dose of heroin and gradually subside over about one week. However, some psychological symptoms, such as cravings and mood disturbances, may persist for longer periods, highlighting the importance of comprehensive addiction treatment and support.
We believe in providing a supportive environment where individuals can safely begin their journey to recovery. Our heroin addiction treatment in Louisville, KY, is designed to equip individuals with the tools they need to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. Through personalized treatment for heroin addiction, medical expertise, and a focus on long-term recovery, we champion the resilience and strength of those we serve, guiding them toward a fulfilling, drug-free future.
Our Heroin Rehab in Kentucky
Heroin addiction remains a pressing concern in Kentucky, prompting us to extend our comprehensive heroin addiction program. In our heroin addiction center, we’ve developed a heroin addiction treatment that’s both innovative and grounded in proven methodologies.
Our treatment options for heroin addiction are personalized, catering to the unique needs of each individual seeking help for heroin addiction. Let’s explore what to expect from our heroin treatment program and the benefits of choosing our heroin treatment center.
What to Expect
When you or a loved one decides to engage in our heroin addiction treatment program, the journey begins with a thorough assessment. This initial step allows us to understand the depth of the addiction and any underlying issues that must be addressed during treatment. Our treatment for heroin addiction encompasses a multi-faceted approach, including medical detoxification, behavioral therapies, and continuous support systems.
Detox is the first, crucial step, designed to manage withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision safely. Following detox, our clients transition into our behavioral therapy sessions. These sessions include both individual counseling and group therapy, facilitating a platform to address personal triggers, develop coping strategies, and build a supportive community of peers.
Education on addiction and relapse prevention strategies plays a pivotal role in our program, empowering our clients with the knowledge and tools they need for sustained sobriety. We also provide family therapy sessions to heal and strengthen family dynamics, crucial for recovery support.
In our heroin addiction center, we understand the gravity of this addiction and the impact it has on individuals and communities. Our Heroin rehab in Kentucky offers a guiding light for those struggling with addiction, providing a comprehensive and compassionate path to recovery.
Benefits of Our Heroin Addiction Treatment in Louisville, KY
Choosing our heroin treatment program comes with numerous benefits:
- Personalized treatment plans: Our personalized care is designed to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each client.
- The expertise of highly qualified professionals: A team of experienced professionals, including medical staff for detox and therapists for counseling sessions, dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care.
- Commitment to aftercare planning: We provide ongoing support beyond program completion, including assistance with sober living arrangements and access to support groups, to help clients navigate sobriety in their daily lives.
- Comprehensive approach: We address both the physical dependency on heroin and the psychological aspects of addiction, ensuring a holistic path to recovery.
- Empathetic, evidence-based approach: Our team utilizes evidence-based practices with a focus on empathy to combat heroin addiction and equip clients with the skills and support needed for long-term recovery and a fulfilling, drug-free future.
What Does Heroin Treatment in Louisville Look Like?
In our heroin treatment center, we understand that every client is different. We design a customized treatment program that meets the client’s needs and gives them the best chance of achieving their recovery goals.
Our evidence-based treatment approach includes:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Overcoming addiction requires more than just a detox. As such, there is a need to identify the underlying causes of addictive behaviors and develop coping mechanisms to overcome them.
Holistic therapy and personal growth are beneficial for recovery from mental health disorders. These can fuel addiction and give people the confidence and self-esteem to face the challenges ahead. At Louisville Addiction Center we can help you choose the perfect treatment options for heroin addiction.
Transform Your Life With Our Heroin Addiction Treatment in Louisville, KY
If you or someone you know is struggling with heroin addiction, there is hope. Heroin addiction is a disease that can be treated and overcome. The first step to getting clean and staying clean is to seek help and find the right heroin addiction treatment in Louisville, KY.
We understand the complexities of heroin addiction. Thus, we developed a program for those seeking help for heroin addiction that addresses both the physical and psychological dimensions of this challenge. With our team’s support, our heroin addiction treatment program can help you gain the strength and resources needed for a lasting transformation.
Contact us today or visit our admissions page to learn more about our heroin treatment in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Addiction and co-occurring disorders don’t have to control your life. Louisville Addiction Center is waiting with open arms to give you the tools necessary for lasting change. Reach out to us today to learn more.
