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Understanding Heroin: Detox, Addiction Treatment, and Symptoms of Use

Written by
On August 13, 2024

Heroin use significantly limits your future potential. If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction, you risk overdosing. Choosing to seek heroin addiction treatment can help you find a new life in recovery.

The heroin detoxification process is a key part of overcoming heroin addiction and reclaiming your life. It can be very difficult, as it involves managing severe withdrawal symptoms as your body and mind adjust to conditions without heroin. A proper detox program will provide medical and psychological support to ensure your safety and comfort during the withdrawal phase.

Key Points:

  • Heroin detox is essential for overcoming addiction. It involves managing withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to life without heroin.
  • Detox programs provide medical and psychological support to ensure your safety and comfort during withdrawal.
  • Symptoms of heroin addiction include physical signs like needle marks, constricted pupils, and weight loss; behavioral changes such as lying, financial issues, and social withdrawal; and psychological symptoms like intense cravings, loss of control over use despite consequences, and mood swings.
  • Heroin withdrawal symptoms may include muscle and bone pain, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress, cold sweats, restless leg movements, anxiety, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Heroin detox treatments include medically supervised detoxification, medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapies, supportive therapies, medical monitoring, nutritional support, holistic approaches, and aftercare planning.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is an illegal opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine. Morphine is derived from the opium poppy plant. Heroin is classified as a Schedule I substance in the United States due to its high potential for abuse. It usually takes the form of a white or brown powder or a black, sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.”

Heroin Addiction and Abuse

Heroin can be injected, smoked, or snorted. Each method involves quickly getting the drug into your bloodstream, which is the most effective way to achieve the desired effects.

When heroin enters your brain, it is converted back into morphine and binds to opioid receptors, which is known to create an intense rush of pleasure. However, this can result in addiction, as the brain can quickly become tolerant to the drug. Tolerance leads to the need for higher doses to achieve the same effects. Consistent regular use may lead to physical dependence, which means your body requires regular heroin use just to function normally.

Heroin Addiction Symptoms

Numerous physical and psychological symptoms identify heroin addiction:[1]

  • Physical Symptoms: The physical symptoms of heroin use are perhaps some of the more obvious indicators of abuse. These signs can include needle marks on your arms or other parts of your body. You may also have constricted pupils and slower, more shallow breathing patterns, even in dim light. Sudden weight loss and decreased personal hygiene can also be clear examples of the toll of heroin abuse.
  • Behavioral Symptoms: Behavioral symptoms of heroin abuse, as well as drug abuse, can have a hugely negative effect not only on you but your friends and loved ones. Symptoms include lying, especially about your whereabouts and activities, borrowing or stealing money or valuables to sustain your drug use, and experiencing sudden financial issues or difficulty explaining expenses may be another indicator. Socially, you may find yourself withdrawing from friends and family as well as associating with new friends who also use the same drugs you do.
  • Psychological Symptoms: Increased heroin use often correlates with intense cravings for the drug. Once addicted, you may find yourself unable to control your heroin use despite knowing and understanding the negative consequences associated with it. This lack of control can lead to irritability, agitation, or mood swings. The ability to concentrate or focus on tasks that aren’t related to your drug use may diminish, as well.
  • Health and Lifestyle Changes: Heroin addiction may lead to an increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis C. The danger mainly comes from sharing needles with fellow users. Additionally, abuse often contributes to a decline in physical and mental health. This results from poor nutrition, low-quality sleep, and lack of structure and self-care routines. You may also find yourself neglecting your responsibilities at work or school.
Addiction Treatment by Substance

Heroin Quick Reference Chart

Drug Category
Opioid
Commercial & Street Names
H, smack, junk, horse
DEA Schedule
Schedule I
Administration
Smoking, snorting, injection

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

There is a significant risk of severe withdrawal symptoms when slowing down or stopping the use of heroin after consistent use.[2]

Muscle and bone pain

You may feel a sense of achiness all over your body. It’s common to experience muscle cramps, joint pain, and overall discomfort similar to the common flu. These feelings may vary from mild to severe. It all depends on the extent of your heroin abuse.

Cold Sweats

Profuse sweating, even in cold spaces, is a well-known symptom of heroin withdrawal. Sudden bouts of sweating, chills, goosebumps, and changes in body temperature may be frequent.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Your body’s stress response during withdrawal may increase your heart rate and blood pressure functions. These physiological changes are a product of your body’s adjustment to the lack of heroin and the detoxification process.

Depression

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low mood are common during heroin withdrawal. Emotional instability and sudden mood changes are to be expected. These mood swings may be exacerbated by the stress of enduring withdrawal symptoms and dealing with constant cravings.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling and staying asleep is a common part of the detox process. You may experience disrupted sleep patterns and fatigue during the day.

Leg Movements

Restless legs syndrome is the constant leg movement you may display during withdrawal. This symptom can be disruptive during sleep, making it difficult to rest and contributing to insomnia.

Dilated pupils

During withdrawal, your pupils may become larger than usual and remain that way for a long period.

Gastrointestinal distress

Withdrawal from heroin often causes gastrointestinal issues. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. If not managed, these symptoms can be life-threatening as they may lead to dehydration.

Anxiety

Feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability may be heightened during heroin withdrawal. You may feel extra agitated, and mood swings can occur frequently.

Yawning and runny nose

During your bout with withdrawal, you may experience frequent yawning and a runny nose. These symptoms are often compared to having a cold and are part of how your body adapts to the lack of opioids.

Heroin Addiction Treatments

The process of heroin addition treatment or detox, involves managing the withdrawal symptoms that appear when you stop all heroin use. Several treatments can be used.

Medically supervised detoxification

This is the safest way to detox. Medical professionals will monitor your vital signs, manage withdrawal symptoms with medications like buprenorphine and methadone, and provide support to ensure your safety and comfort during medical detox.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can be used to alleviate your withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings during the start of your recovery period.[4] MAT is often combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to address the psychological aspects of addiction properly.

Behavioral therapies

Counseling and behavioral therapies are crucial parts of heroin detox and addiction treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivational interviewing, and family therapy will help you understand your addiction and help you prevent future relapses.

Supportive therapies

Supportive therapies like group therapy, individual counseling, and peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous can provide emotional support and a sense of community during detox and beyond.

Medical monitoring and management

Medical professionals monitor physical health and manage complications that may arise during detox, such as dehydration.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition and hydration are important to support your health and well-being during detox.

Holistic approaches

Some detox programs incorporate holistic therapies like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage therapy to promote relaxation and improve well-being.

Aftercare

Planning for ongoing care and support after detox is crucial for long-term recovery. This may include continued counseling, participation in support groups, outpatient treatment, or residential rehabilitation programs.

If You Need Help, We’re Here

If you or a loved one is fighting a battle with dependence or addiction, realize that healthcare is available. Numerous treatment facilities nationwide offer a range of inpatient and outpatient programs tailored specifically to meet your needs. Admitting you need help is the crucial first step towards recovery.

Sources

[1]National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Heroin. MedlinePlus. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html

[2]NIDA. 2021, April 13. What are the long-term effects of heroin use?. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-long-term-effects-heroin-use

[3][4]National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). What are the treatments for heroin use disorder? NIDA Research Reports. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-treatments-heroin-use-disorder

[5]National Drug Intelligence Center. (n.d.). Heroin Fast Facts. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3843/index.htm