Heroin is a highly addictive opioid synthesized from morphine derived from the opium poppy. In recent years, heroin use across all demographics has drastically increased as millions of people who became addicted to prescription opioids discovered heroin to be cheaper and easier to access.
Because of its intense, rapid effects, heroin use can quickly lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Heroin use poses significant health risks, including overdose and death. While heroin addiction is challenging to overcome, it is treatable.
Evoke Wellness at Cohasset offers a heroin detox program in Massachusetts where patients have access to medical and clinical care to safely and effectively detox in a supportive and comfortable environment. Call 866.931.6429 to learn how we can help you or your loved one.
How Does Heroin Affect the Body?
Heroin attaches to opioid receptors throughout the body and releases a rush of dopamine that creates instant euphoria. The brain quickly adjusts to the disruption of regular dopamine release and becomes dependent on heroin to produce dopamine.
Heroin tolerance rapidly increases, meaning higher and higher doses are needed to achieve desired effects. Because of this, heroin on its own has an increased risk of overdose. When laced with fentanyl, which has become increasingly more common, this risk increases substantially. Heroin use negatively impacts all bodily systems.
What to Expect from Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Most people with heroin addiction have unsuccessfully tried to quit on their own. The psychological and physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal can be intense, painful, and distressing and are often cited as a barrier to treatment.
While it is impossible to avoid heroin withdrawal symptoms, a medically supervised heroin detox program can help make the process as safe and comfortable as possible. Knowing what to expect from heroin detox can help alleviate fears and be more psychologically prepared.
Common heroin withdrawal symptoms can include the following:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Muscle and bone pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Restlessness and insomnia
- Chills and sweats
- Irritability and mood swings
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Depression
- Cravings
Heroin withdrawal symptoms typically begin within a few hours to a day after the last dose. Symptoms tend to peak within one to three days and start to diminish between four to seven days. While physical symptoms subside within one to two weeks, psychological ones often persist.
In addition to providing medical and clinical support, a heroin detox program significantly reduces the risk of relapse during the detox process.
The Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use
Heroin use can have devastating effects on physical and mental well-being. The impacts of heroin use vary depending on the amount, duration, frequency of use, and personal factors. In addition to increased tolerance and addiction, long-term effects of heroin use include the following:
- Increased risk of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis
- Cardiovascular issues, including collapsed veins
- Respiratory depression
- Gastrointestinal problems, like severe constipation
- Skin infections
- Liver and kidney damage
- Endocarditis
- Anxiety and depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Financial and legal issues
- Overdose or death
Because heroin use can quickly take over a person’s life, many become isolated from friends and family and experience strained relationships and social isolation. Loss of employment and housing instability are common among long-term heroin users.
Our Treatment Program
Our individualized heroin addiction treatment includes but is not limited to the following:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy & counseling
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Holistic therapies
- Trauma therapy
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Aftercare support
At Evoke Wellness at Cohasset, we stand by your side every step of the way, providing guidance, support, and the necessary tools to aid you in your journey toward recovery and wellness.
End the Cycle of Heroin Addiction at Evoke Wellness at Cohasset
Heroin addiction impacts all areas of life, and treatment provides comprehensive care to allow patients to heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. Through individualized treatment at Evoke Wellness at Cohasset, patients learn about heroin addiction in a safe environment that allows them to focus entirely on recovery.
As the region’s premier detox and residential treatment center, Evoke Wellness at Cohasset has admission counselors available 24/7 to help you or your loved one take the first step toward recovery. Call 866.931.6429 today.
