About Heroin Addiction
Many people who find themselves addicted to any drug, including heroin, don’t realise the severity of their problem, or ashamed to seek help, or don’t know who to turn to. For this reason, it is important for loved ones to do whatever is possible to get the person to accept help, or ask a heroin rehab to talk to the individual about their treatment options. The sooner they do so, the better the outcome for their recovery and life will be.
Why Heroin is So Addictive
While it might seem like an exaggeration to many, heroin indeed is one of the most addictive drugs. It can lead to a dependency very quickly, and when the user does not stop, their lives can begin to turn upside down. Although there is a great deal of research and information that suggests the addictive-nature of heroin, it does not stop people from using the drug.
- In Australia, opioid-related deaths went from 439 in 2006 to 1,119 in 2016, or an average of 4.7 deaths per 100,000.
- In England and Wales, registered heroin-related deaths more than doubled with 579 in 2012 to 1,201 in 2015.
- In the U.S., in 2017, at least 15,000 people lost their lives in a drug overdose that involved heroin.
Like other drugs, the nature of heroin addiction can be related to the effect the drug has on the brain. In short, heroin tricks the motivation and pleasure centres of the brain. It causes the brain to remember the positive feelings of heroin, minimise reactions to any health problems caused by heroin, and increases the desire for the drug. When combined together, it can cause the user to have uncontrollable urges to use heroin. Furthermore, it makes it easier to use the drug than to come off of it.
Understanding Heroin
Heroin is an opiate that is derived from morphine, a drug extracted from the opium poppy plant. Morphine is used in the medical industry to help patients who are in pain. Heroin is stronger than morphine and can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Similar to other opiates, heroin causes a euphoric like feeling, in addition to relaxation and drowsiness. Although very addictive, the heroin “rush” is not as intense as other drugs, such as methamphetamine. The effects of heroin do not last very long; however, a tolerance can build very rapidly. This leaves users vulnerable to overdosing on heroin.
Heroin and the Brain
To understand what makes heroin so addictive, along with why going to a heroin rehab is so important, you must understand how the drug affects brain chemistry. While a majority of prescription opiates are swollen, processed in the digestive system, and controlled through special release mechanisms, heroin is typically snorted, injected, or smoked. This results in an almost immediate release into the bloodstream where it travels straight to the brains’ opioid receptors. Heroin targets the brain’s areas that are responsible for pleasure, anxiety, sedation, happiness, and depression. Once the drug hits these areas, the user may feel free from any problems; thus, happy and at ease.
With continued use, heroin begins to affect areas of the brain that are responsible for judgement and self-control. These can lead the user to develop cravings. The brain will also “trick” the user by minimising the negative effects of the drug. Both, can result in a dependency and addiction.
Heroin Can Be Accessed Easily
Many people might associate heroin users with homeless individuals or those who had an addiction to another drug. While both scenarios are possible, many heroin addicts develop an addiction to the drug after being prescribed painkillers for a medical condition. Some of the most popular painkillers include:
- Morphine
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Codeine
- Oxycodone
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
When the aforementioned painkillers are taken against the doctors orders, or for an extended period of time, a tolerance and build. The user may take more than the recommended dosage, and eventually, be unable to get enough of the prescription to meet the needs of their tolerance. On the street, painkillers are difficult to source and costly; whereas, heroin is relatively easy to find and more affordable.
The Heroin Withdrawal
For many heroin users, it is the withdrawal that makes it so difficult to discontinue the use of the drug. Although a tolerance is related to the effects of the drug, the withdrawal is associated with the physical needs. When a person is dependent or addicted to heroin, and they discontinue use of the drug, they may feel withdrawal symptoms that include:
- Profuse sweating
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle cramps
- Shivering
- Chills
- Irregular heartbeat
- Aches and pains in the body
The withdrawal from heroin is said to be much more severe than a withdrawal from meth or cocaine and can last for 3-10 days or more. Because of the severity of a withdrawal, it is advisable for users to seek out treatment at a heroin rehab.
How to Help a Heroin Addict
Watching someone destroy their life to a heroin addiction can be extremely difficult. It is important you remain ready to help them as soon as they are ready. The following advice may also assist you in helping a heroin addict.
Keep Learning
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn as much as possible about heroin addiction and heroin treatment options. This will help you to understand the signs, as well as, flags to watch out for. You can also begin to understand how addiction affects the brain. This way, you are less likely to take the harmful words of the individual personally.
Avoid Enabling
It is very common for loved ones and friends to enable an addict. When you engage in this behaviour, you are giving the individual some level of emotional, financial, or otherwise support that allows them to continue using. If you want to help someone who is addicted to heroin, you should learn how to set boundaries, say no, and remain firm in your actions.
That being said, you can be supportive without enabling a person. Examples of healthy ways to support someone include looking for heroin rehab, exploring different treatment options for heroin addiction, or going to counselling with them.
Build a Support System
Trying to help someone with a heroin addiction on your own may be very difficult. Therefore, make an effort to build a system of support. This might include participating in support groups for addicts and family members, enlisting help from other trusted family members, or attending counselling for yourself. Al-Anon is one of the most recognised support groups for friends and family members of addicts. These groups are available in most major cities around the world and can provide invaluable support and advice.
Provide Opportunities for Heroin Treatment
When you know you want to help someone with a heroin addiction, make a plan that details how you can move them in the right direction. You cannot force them to quit, nor is there a quick fix. Rather, you can set boundaries that shows him or her you won’t support their use, and that you are willing to sit with them and discuss their heroin treatment options. Be sure to think about what types of heroin rehabs are available, where you might be interested in sending them, how you will cover the costs, and whether you should hold an intervention.
You can help a person who is addicted to heroin without enabling them. Emotional support and reminding them that you are willing to assist them in getting treatment are examples of positive support. Meanwhile, be sure to take care of yourself and find your own network of support that helps you to stay strong.
If you would like to explore potential treatment options for heroin addiction, or you are interested in knowing more about our heroin rehab programme, call Siam Rehab today.
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