Heroin is an addictive opioid commonly misused for its intense euphoric effects. Heroin use typically begins as generic recreational or experimental use, and can quickly spiral into psychological and physical dependence to the point where your mind and body feel like they need heroin to feel and function normally. Heroin addiction is highly lethal, leading to a myriad of severe health consequences and even fatal overdoses.
At Refine Recovery, we understand how heroin addiction can seem like a pernicious cycle that keeps repeating itself over and over again. But no matter where you are, it is crucial for you to take a step forward to heal. We offer evidence-based, personalized opioid addiction treatment options for your lasting recovery.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a powerful opioid that is derived from morphine, which in itself is an opioid extracted from the seed of the opium poppy plant. Heroin is typically available as white or brown powder, and even as a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. It is commonly snorted, smoked, and injected via the vein for intense euphoric effects.
Heroin use is widespread; however, in the U.S., it is classified as a Schedule I substance that has no known medical uses and comes with a high potential for misuse.
Why Is Heroin Use So Dangerous?
Heroin is an illicit opioid that is very alluring because it immediately leads to heightened feelings of pain relief and well-being. Heroin use changes brain chemistry, leading to physical and psychological dependence where the body begins to need it, and you experience persistent, intense cravings.
Dr. Marisa Sisk, the Chief Clinical Officer at Refine Recovery, informs us that “While heroin initially makes you feel good, it is a central nervous system depressant. It slows down your brain functioning and lowers life-sustaining functions like body temperature, blood pressure, and breathing to the point that a person can lose consciousness and even slip into a coma.”
Over time, heroin use increases your tolerance levels for the opioid. This means that you will need larger quantities of heroin to experience the desired effect. What this also means is that it increases the chances of a fatal overdose. Heroin, after all, was in the center of the second wave of the opioid crisis, and is still responsible for an estimated 3,984 overdose-related deaths in a year.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction?
Some of the tell-tale signs and symptoms of heroin addiction are:
- Constricted pupils
- Frequent nodding off
- Weight loss
- Skin abscesses and infections from injection wounds
- Irregular, slowed breathing.
While these are the signs one can evidently see, Dr. Sisk tells us that, “The unfortunate thing about heroin addiction is by the time the signs and symptoms come to light, the person has already missed the first window of recovery. This is why it is crucial to notice the psychological and behavioral signs, such as persistent cravings, mood swings, irritability, secrecy and lying, changes in the social circle, financial difficulties, and even legal entanglements.”
If you or someone you know is showing any of these signs, it can be an indication of heroin misuse, and that you could benefit from treatment for heroin addiction.
What Is the Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction can be very dangerous, but identifying it and seeking the care you need and deserve early can help manage many of the severe symptoms and consequences.
Dr. Sisk says, “At Refine Recovery, we notice that more than 60% of our clients who come to us with heroin use concerns also have co-occurring mental health disorders. This is why we take a whole person approach to treating heroin use that focuses on healing the mind, body, and spirit.”
Heroin addiction is typically treated in the following manner:
Heroin Detoxification – The first step to treating heroin addiction is medically supervised detox, wherein heroin is gradually tapered off from the body to minimize and manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment – Heroin use is typically treated with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that uses both medication and behavioral therapies to get to the bottom of heroin use patterns and facilitate healing. MAT involves:
- Methadone Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Methadone is an opioid, and methadone maintenance treatment uses it to treat heroin dependence in that the person takes a daily dose of methadone (either as a pill or liquid) to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid. Often referred to as “bupe,” it reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, just like methadone.
- Naltrexone Treatment for Heroin Addiction: Unlike methadone and buprenorphine, naltrexone is an opioid antagonist or opioid blocker in that it prevents opioids like heroin from adversely impacting the body.
These U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for opioid addiction treatment can reduce heroin cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but holistic heroin rehab options use behavioral therapies to identify and change the underlying patterns leading to heroin use.
The main behavioral therapies for heroin addiction are:
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): It uses structured interviews to explore personal motivations to commit to sustainable change and recovery.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The gold standard of therapy, CBT identifies and changes the underlying thinking, emotional, and behavioral patterns leading to heroin use.
- Contingency Management: It is a behavioral technique that uses rewards and reinforcements to strengthen desirable behaviors, such as abstinence, attending therapy, taking medication, and so on.
- 12-Step Models: 12-Step models use structured recovery principles based on personal responsibility and community toward heroin use recovery.
- Trauma-Informed Care: It addresses the underlying trauma patterns leading to heroin use for healing and recovery.
To sustain recovery, aftercare programs like ongoing therapy/counseling, medication management, relapse prevention, lifestyle modifications, and 12-Step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are also provided.
Reach Out to Refine Recovery for the Best Treatment for Heroin Addiction
If you are reading this, you are likely exploring heroin rehab options for yourself or someone you care for. Recovery is indeed too important to delay. At Refine Recovery, we offer evidence-based, personalized heroin addiction treatment programs built around your unique needs, goals, and lasting recovery.
Please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 890-9573 to speak to our experts today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Heroin Addiction Treatment
1. How to treat heroin addiction?
Heroin addiction is treated with medically supervised detox, medication-assisted treatment programs, and aftercare for lasting recovery.
2. What is medication-assisted treatment for heroin addiction?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for heroin addiction uses medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, and behavioral therapies for healing and recovery.
3. What are the behavioral therapies for heroin addiction?
The most commonly used behavioral therapies for heroin addiction are motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and 12-Step models.
4. How long do heroin addiction treatment programs last?
The duration of heroin addiction treatment programs varies based on the severity of heroin use and other unique factors. This can typically range between a few weeks and a few months.
5. How much does opioid addiction treatment cost?
The cost of opioid addiction treatment for heroin use can vary depending on the treatment center and the type of program. However, your insurance will cover most, if not the entire cost.
