502-586-4554Heroin 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.
Here at Louisville Addiction Center, we strive to provide safe and effective options for heroin treatment in Louisville, Kentucky. Our programs and services are designed to help someone or a loved one start their recovery journey properly to maximize the likelihood of successful recovery.
What is Heroin?
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.
Addiction can be successfully treated during our heroin treatment in Louisville. 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 in order 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. It can affect anyone, but 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 the release of dopamine, which creates 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
What Does Heroin Treatment in Louisville Look Like?
At Louisville Addiction 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 approaches include:
- 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. Louisville Addiction Center can help create the perfect plan for their treatment.
Transform Your Life With Heroin 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 treatment options that are right for you.
Not sure where to start? Louisville Addiction Center is here to help. Our team of addiction specialists can help you find the right treatment for your needs so that you can begin the journey to recovery today.
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.
