What Type of Drug Is Heroin?
Heroin is a type of opioid which are a class of drugs used for pain relief. Examples of prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others.
Unlike those aforementioned drugs, heroin is a street drug with no valid medical use. People who use heroin do so to get high.
The main ways heroin is consumed is via snorting, smoking, or injection. The drug binds to opioid receptors in the brain, producing intense feelings of euphoria. Because it is an opioid, heroin can also bring substantial pain relief and drowsiness.
Using heroin is incredibly dangerous due to its high addiction and overdose potential. In this article, we’ll explore how addictive heroin is, heroin overdose symptoms to watch out for, and heroin addiction treatment.
Is Heroin Addictive?
Heroin is extremely addictive. It affects the brain’s reward system by increasing the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This leads to the reinforcing effects of heroin use and contributes to heroin addiction.
Regularly using heroin can lead to tolerance and dependence, which in turn leads to withdrawal symptoms when trying to cease use. This fear of heroin withdrawal symptoms is what leads to addiction.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle aches and pain
- Restlessness and agitation — Individuals may feel restless, irritable, or anxious as their body adjusts to the absence of heroin
- Yawning — Frequent yawning is a common symptom of heroin withdrawal
- Dilated pupils — Pupils may become enlarged during withdrawal
- Sweating, cold chills, and goosebumps
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Runny nose and teary eyes
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
Treatment for heroin addiction often involves a combination of medication-assisted therapy, behavioral therapy, and support from healthcare providers and recovery communities.
If you or a loved one are suffering from heroin addiction, seek professional treatment.
Signs Someone Is Using Heroin
If you suspect someone is using heroin, look for the following physical signs:
- Constricted or “pinpoint” pupils
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Flushed or itchy skin
- Needle marks or “track marks” on arms, legs, or other areas of the body
- Nosebleeds or constant sniffling (if heroin is snorted)
- Slurred speech and disorientation
- Drowsiness or frequent “nodding off”
- Constipation and gastrointestinal issues
- Drug paraphernalia around the house – glass pipes, used syringes, rubber tubing, etc
There are also behavioral signs of heroin use, such as the following:
- Failing to fulfill responsibilities at home, such as chores, due to heroin use
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Sliding academic performance; poor test results and skipping school
- Sudden, inexplicable need for money
- Secretive behaviors
- Legal issues
- Sudden changes in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
- Wearing long sleeves and pants during warm weather to hide “track marks”
What Are Heroin Overdose Symptoms?
Some common symptoms of a heroin overdose may include:
- Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
- Bluish lips and nails
- Drowsiness or unconsciousness
- Limp body
- Clammy skin
- Gurgling sounds, which indicate fluid in their lungs or airway obstruction
- Wearing long sleeves and pants during warm weather to hide “track marks”
- Vomiting
- Seizures
If you suspect someone is experiencing a heroin overdose, call emergency services immediately. Time is crucial when there is a heroin overdose, and rapid intervention can save lives.
There are medications, such as naloxone, that can help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered in time.
Remember, never attempt to treat an overdose yourself — always seek professional medical help.
Finding Reliable Heroin Addiction Treatment in California
Heroin addiction is serious, but you can recover and lead an independent life with proper treatment. South Coast Behavioral Health is committed to helping you or your loved ones overcome heroin addiction.
This begins with enrolling in our medical detox program. We offer medical detox in Irvine, California for men and medical detox in Huntington Beach for women. There, certified professionals can help you through heroin withdrawal as you detox.
After detoxing, proper treatment for heroin addiction can begin. Our team of experts will prescribe medication to manage ongoing cravings while also providing therapy to address issues underlying the heroin addiction. This combined approach is known as medication-assisted treatment.
This treatment approach can take place along several levels of care:
- Residential treatment in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Huntington Beach
- Partial hospitalization in Newport Beach
- Intensive outpatient treatment in Newport Beach
Recovery is a long road but it begins with accepting treatment. If you have any questions, please call us at 866-881-1184. Our addiction specialists are available 24/7 to take your call.
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