There are many drugs that a person can be addicted to, but heroin is among the most dangerous.
Heroin is an opioid that can be smoked, sniffed, or taken intravenously. If you shoot up, you inject dangerous substances into your body that can lead to disease or death. Smoking or sniffing heroin can produce unhealthy results as well.
If you are addicted to heroin, you will find yourself on a downward spiral. Fortunately, heroin addiction treatment is available. This article will provide tips on how to find heroin rehab in Southern California.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid drug. It is made from morphine which is extracted from the seeds of opium poppy plants.
The drug can come in the form of a white or brown powder or a black sticky substance called black tar heroin. It can be sniffed, snorted, injected, or smoked. It can also be mixed with crack cocaine. This is a method called speedballing.
When heroin enters the body, it binds to opioid receptors that are located throughout the body. The receptors are tied to feelings of pleasure and pain and control sleeping, breathing, and heart rate. The drug produces a variety of physical and mental effects, but it is commonly associated with feelings of euphoria and a reduction of pain.
How Addictive is Heroin?
Heroin is a very addictive drug. Its ability to produce euphoric effects makes people want to use more of it. This is combined with the fact that it causes withdrawal symptoms.
When people take heroin for a while, their body becomes used to having it in its system. When the heroin is not present, the system displays a variety of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms known as withdrawal symptoms.
The only way to get rid of these symptoms short term is to do more of the drug. This puts the user in a downward spiral of addiction.
According to Drug Abuse Statistics.org, 745,000 people abused heroin in 2019. Fifteen thousand opioid overdoses involved the use of heroin.
What are the Signs of Heroin Use?
If you or a loved one is using heroin, it’s essential to get help as soon as possible. Here are some signs that will let you know things are getting out of hand.
- Lack of self-care
- Weight fluctuations
- Itchy skin
- Pinned pupils
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Dangerous behavior
- Devious behavior
- Troubled relationships
- Legal issues
- Financial issues
- Track marks
- Collapsed veins
- Trembling
- Nodding out
- Cramps
- Needing to do more of the drug to get the same effects
- Spending a lot of time acquiring and using heroin
- Changes in social groups
Many users of heroin share needles, which increases the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other blood-borne bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Because heroin is a street drug, it is often mixed with substances that should not be injected into the body. These include sugar, starch, and powdered milk. These products can clog blood vessels and cause permanent damage to the liver, lungs, kidney, or brain.
How to Find Heroin Rehab in Southern California
Heroin is dangerous and very addictive. Fortunately, heroin addiction treatment is available.
There are several facilities that offer rehab for people with dependency issues, but if you are looking for heroin treatment in Southern California, Altitude Recovery is the way to go.
Altitude Recovery is a luxury drug and alcohol treatment program located in the upscale community of Camarillo, CA. We take a dual diagnosis approach that simultaneously treats the addiction and its underlying causes. We integrate a variety of therapies that are trauma-focused and evidence-based.
All treatments take place in our upscale heroin rehab in a Southern California facility. We provide private and semi-private rooms and ultra-luxury amenities. Our peaceful grounds are great for meditating and self-reflection.
Heroin is extremely dangerous and addictive. Don’t let it take over your life. If you are struggling with dependency issues, call Altitude Recovery today. We will help you move on to a higher quality of living.
