Heroin is a dangerous, illicit drug. It creates a number of high-risk occurrences within the brain and body, putting you at risk. Heroin side effects can impact your ability to function normally but also makes it difficult for you to stop using. That is why you need help from resources like Santé Center for Healing. Allow our team to help you to break your addiction.
At Santé Center for Healing, we strive to provide the best possible services for all of our clients. Whether you’ve been using heroin for years or weeks or you’re seeking heroin addiction treatment for your loved one, we can help. To learn more about our services, please contact Santé Center for Healing today at 866.238.3154 or use our online form.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a type of opioid. This is an illicit drug, meaning a doctor does not prescribe it. However, some people use it when they can no longer obtain prescription pain killers from their doctors. In all cases, the National Institutes on Drug Abuse notes that the number of people using heroin has steadily increased since 2007, and overdoses of it are growing as well.
Because it is highly addictive and challenging to stop using, it’s essential to recognize what it can do to your body and brain.
Short-Term Heroin Side Effects
The short-term or immediate effect of heroin is the dopamine high that many people seek when using this substance. When heroin enters the brain tissue, it begins to work to bind to the opioid receptors in the brain. This is the center of your brain that controls pleasure, addiction, and other feelings. A heroin user initially feels a rush or high. This often creates a dry mouth, flushing of the skin, and a heavyweight in the arms.
This can last for a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the amount of the drug consumed. Then, a person may become very tired. Their brain activity slows down their heart rate, making them very tired. Mental function is clouded, and breathing slows. In some cases, enough of the drug can slow the heart and breath down so much a person may experience a loss of consciousness, coma, or brain damage. This condition signifies an overdose, which can be fatal if the person goes without treatment. If you suspect an overdose, please contact emergency medical services immediately.
Long-Term Heroin Side Effects
The more the person uses the drug, the more common side effects are. Over time, the drug changes the physical structure of the brain itself. The opioid receptors begin to change physically and become dependent on the drug. This creases neuronal imbalances, hormonal irregularities, and physical complications. A person may:
- Make poor decisions
- Have trouble with self-regulating behavior
- Have a profound degree of physical dependence
- Withdrawal symptoms occur if the drug is stopped
- Heroin use disorder may occur
In a person with drug addiction, withdrawal symptoms are common if the user suddenly stops using the substance. This can include shaking, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, insomnia, and pain. The condition can develop further into a heroin use disorder. In this situation, the person’s sole purpose in daily life is to seek out the drug and use it. Without it, their brain cannot work properly.
What Can You Do if You Have a Heroin Addiction?
Because of the intensity of heroin side effects and addiction, those who are using should seek out a heroin detox treatment program. During this process, the chemical is removed from the body. Heroin detox treatment is specialized to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Most people also benefit from residential drug treatment, where they will spend several months working with counselors to see improvement. During this treatment, the recovery center may provide a range of therapeutic modalities, such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Psychodrama therapy
In addition, long-term aftercare is also necessary for many men and women with heroin addiction. If you are experiencing this addiction, Santé Center for Healing offers the type of care you need in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. You can stop these long-term effects from impacting your health and life.
Contact Santé Center for Healing Today
If you are like many people struggling with heroin addiction, there is help available to you. This is very important if you have heroin side effects that are creating life-threatening risks to you and your family. To learn more about how we can help you, call Santé Center for Healing at 866.238.3154.
