There are many drugs that cause addiction, but heroin is one of the most serious. It is an opiate that is commonly used by people that can’t get their hands on doctor-prescribed pain killers. It takes over the body and mind and frequently leads to overdose.
Fortunately, there are ways to overcome heroin addiction. This article will review the dangers of heroin and how a heroin rehab in Los Angeles can help.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is classified as an opioid. It’s made from morphine, which is extracted from poppy plants grown in Asia, Columbia, and Mexico. It can come in the form of a white or brown powder, or a sticky black substance known as black tar heroin.
The drug can be injected, snorted, or smoked. It can also be mixed with crack cocaine which is what’s known as speedballing.
Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Heroin is a very powerful drug. Once taken, it enters the brain quickly where it binds to opioid receptors. It produces a euphoric effect as well as the following symptoms:
- Pinned eyes
- Itchy, red skin
- Clouded thought processes
- Heaving feelings in the arms and legs
- Dry mouth
- Nodding out which involves going in and out of consciousness
Once addiction becomes severe, addicts may begin experiencing serious symptoms including:
- Insomnia
- Collapsed veins in those that shoot the drug
- Damaged nose tissue in those that sniff the drug
- Heart infection
- Abscesses
- Constipation and other digestive issues
- Liver and kidney disease
- Respiratory issues
- Mental disorders including depression and antisocial personality disorder
- Sexual dysfunction in men
- Irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Weight loss
Other side effects may occur when heroin is used. For example, it’s possible for heroin to be cut with additives such as sugar, starch, and powdered milk that can clog blood vessels leading to life-threatening mental conditions. Sharing needles can also spread HIV and hepatitis.
The Heroin Opioid Link
Opioid addiction is a major problem in America. It usually starts with a doctor’s prescription for treating pain.
Many people misuse opioids taking unhealthy doses that lead to addiction. They may ask their doctor to increase their prescription. If the doctor refuses, they may begin buying opioids, like heroin, on the streets.
This is a dangerous way to go as it fuels the addiction and increases the risk that the drug may contain additives.
How Do You Know You Need Heroin Rehab?
Heroin addiction can go from zero to one hundred pretty quickly. It’s best to catch symptoms early on before they get out of hand.
If you begin building a tolerance so that you need more of the drug to get the same effect, you should begin looking for heroin rehab Los Angeles. Withdrawal symptoms are another sign that you need to get help.
Other symptoms to look out for include:
- Troubled relationships
- Legal issues
- Financial issues
- Withdrawing from the things you love
- The development of health conditions
How Altitude Recovery Can Help
There are many choices when it comes to heroin rehab Los Angeles, but Altitude Recovery takes an approach that sets us apart.
Once a patient checks in, we do a thorough analysis to find the therapies that work best. We get to the root of the problem to find a method for long-term recovery. Our trained specialists will provide you with the care you need to make it past your dependency issues.
When heroin has you in its claws, it’s not easy to find a way out. Fortunately, there are plenty of facilities that offer heroin rehab in Los Angeles. Call Altitude Recovery today and look forward to moving on to happier, healthier living.
