Jordan Ellis
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that can be injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. Repeated use of heroin often leads to heroin use disorder, also known as addiction. This is characterized by a physical and psychological dependence on the drug, where individuals continue to use heroin despite the negative consequences in their lives. Heroin addiction can have devastating and life-threatening effects, including health problems, social and economic issues, and an increased risk of overdose. If you or someone you know is struggling with heroin addiction, it is important to seek professional help. Treatment options include detoxification, medication, behavioral therapies, and support groups. In the case of an overdose, seeking immediate medical attention at a hospital is crucial, as hospitals are legally responsible for providing effective care to individuals with substance use disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to bring a heroin addict to the hospital | If the addict is experiencing withdrawal, overdose, or other physical or mental health problems. |
| Treatment for heroin addiction | Medicines to treat withdrawal symptoms, medicine to block the effects of opioids, and behavioral treatments. |
| Hospital's legal responsibility | To provide effective care to people with substance use disorders and not discriminate against them. |
| Support for family and carers | Key workers can organise support for people affected by the addict's addiction. |
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What You'll Learn
Heroin overdose and treatment
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine, which is extracted from the seed pods of opium poppy plants. It is often cut with other drugs or substances such as baking soda, or even poisons like bleach, and is usually injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. The fast delivery of the drug to the brain increases its addiction potential and also leads to complex health risks.
Repeated heroin use often leads to heroin use disorder, or addiction. This is a chronic brain disorder that causes users to continue using heroin despite the problems it causes in their lives. Over time, users develop a tolerance and need to increase the frequency and dosage to achieve the same effects. This can eventually lead to physical and psychological dependence, and the risk of overdose increases.
Heroin overdose occurs when a person takes a higher dose than their body can handle, and it can be life-threatening. Signs of an opioid overdose include slowed and stopped breathing, blue or purple fingernails and lips, unresponsiveness, and pinpoint pupils. If you suspect an overdose, call emergency services immediately.
To treat a heroin overdose, a medicine called naloxone can be used to block the effects of opioids on the body and rapidly restore breathing and brain function. It is available over the counter as a nasal spray or injection and can be administered by anyone without medical training. People at risk of an overdose are encouraged to carry naloxone with them.
Treatment for heroin addiction typically involves a combination of medicine and behavioural therapy. Individuals can ask their GP or a local drug treatment service for help and will be offered a personalised treatment plan. Detoxification is often done in a medically-monitored setting, and support groups and talking therapies are also offered to help individuals stay off heroin.
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Signs and symptoms of heroin addiction
If you suspect that someone is addicted to heroin, it is important to look out for certain signs and symptoms. Heroin, also known as dope or junk, is an illegal, highly addictive opioid drug. It is derived from morphine, which comes from the seed pods of opium poppy plants. Heroin is often found as a white or brown powder, or as a black sticky substance known as "black tar heroin". It can be smoked, snorted, or injected.
The signs and symptoms of heroin addiction can be physical, psychological, and behavioural. Physically, a person who has used heroin may experience a rush or surge of pleasure, followed by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the arms and legs. They may also experience severe itching, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and slowed breathing. Over time, with regular heroin use, a person will develop a tolerance, requiring more heroin to achieve the same effects. This can lead to physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms if they stop using heroin. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and cold flashes with goosebumps.
Psychologically, heroin addiction can lead to a chronic brain disorder, where the person continues to use heroin even though it causes problems in their life. They may be unable to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home, and getting and using heroin may become their main purpose in life. Heroin addiction is also often associated with mental health disorders, as it may be used as a form of self-medication. Commonly co-occurring disorders include depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Behaviourally, a person addicted to heroin may exhibit certain patterns, such as frequently obtaining and using heroin, even at the expense of other responsibilities. They may also experience health problems and social consequences due to their heroin use. Additionally, they may seek out multiple doctors or drug treatment services to obtain heroin or hide their addiction.
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Long-term effects of heroin abuse
If you suspect someone is overdosing on heroin, it is important to get them to a hospital as soon as possible. Signs of an overdose include decreased breathing, convulsions, coma, and hypoxia (lack of oxygen reaching the brain). If left untreated, an overdose can lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Now, onto the long-term effects of heroin abuse. Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine. It can be injected, snorted, smoked, or dissolved in water and injected directly into a vein. Repeated heroin use changes the physical structure and physiology of the brain, creating long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems. This can affect decision-making abilities, the ability to regulate behavior, and responses to stressful situations.
- Physical and psychological dependence: With prolonged use, the body adapts to the presence of heroin, and withdrawal symptoms can occur if use is reduced or stopped abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and leg movements.
- Tolerance: Over time, users may need to increase the dosage of heroin to achieve the same effects, leading to a higher risk of overdose.
- Health problems: Long-term heroin use has been linked to liver, kidney, and lung disease, mental disorders, and abscesses. Injecting heroin carries an additional risk of infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and bacterial infections, as well as collapsed veins.
- Heroin use disorder: Repeated heroin use can lead to a chronic relapsing disease characterized by uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior. Getting and using heroin becomes the primary purpose in life, even when it causes problems in personal, professional, and social domains.
- Increased risk of overdose: All heroin users are at risk of overdosing due to the unpredictable strength and composition of the drug.
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Detox and withdrawal from heroin
If you are with someone who is experiencing a heroin overdose, you should seek immediate medical attention. A medicine called naloxone can treat a heroin overdose if given in time. It is available as a nasal spray or an injectable, and can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.
Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive opioid drug. It is derived from morphine, which comes from the seedpod of opium poppy plants. It is often cut with other drugs or substances such as baking soda, or even poisons like bleach. This makes it very difficult for users to know the strength of the drug they are taking, increasing the risk of overdose.
Repeated use of heroin often leads to heroin use disorder, or addiction. This is a chronic brain disorder that causes people to continue using heroin despite the negative consequences in their life. Over time, users develop a tolerance, requiring more heroin to achieve the desired effect. This can lead to physical and psychological dependence, and withdrawal symptoms if they stop using heroin.
Withdrawal from heroin can be dangerous and should ideally occur in a medically-monitored detox and rehabilitation treatment program to prevent complications. This can take place in an inpatient detox center, with 24-hour care from medical professionals, or in an outpatient program. Medical providers can prescribe medications to help ease uncomfortable symptoms and reduce cravings. These may include methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms can begin within a few hours of discontinuing heroin use and typically start around 8 to 24 hours after the last use. Acute withdrawal can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days, but the length of withdrawal can vary depending on factors such as the length of time the person has been using heroin, the amount taken each time, and any underlying medical or mental health conditions. Withdrawal symptoms can include abdominal cramping, sweating, diarrhea, chills, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression.
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Seeking help for heroin addiction
Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal opioid drug. It is made from morphine, which comes from the seed pods of opium poppy plants. It is often cut with other drugs or substances such as baking soda, and sometimes even poisons like bleach. The use of heroin in the United States is a serious problem, and it is the most abused opiate. It is also the most rapidly acting opioid, which can quickly lead to overdose and death.
If you or someone you know is addicted to heroin, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Here are some steps to take to seek help for heroin addiction:
- Recognize the signs of addiction: People who are addicted to heroin may exhibit certain signs, such as asking for money frequently, becoming defensive or secretive about their behavior, or experiencing changes in their appearance, such as weight loss or gain. They may also seem sleepy, as heroin can make users drowsy.
- Seek professional help: If you are addicted to heroin and want to stop, you can ask your general practitioner (GP) or a local drug treatment service for help. You are entitled to confidential care and support. Even if you are not ready to stop, you can still get help with staying safe and healthy.
- Develop a treatment plan: Work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan that works best for you. This may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapy. MAT can help wean your body off heroin and reduce cravings, while behavioral therapy can address any underlying issues contributing to the addiction.
- Consider medication: Medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone can be helpful in treating heroin addiction. Buprenorphine and methadone work similarly to heroin by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, but they are safer and longer-lasting. Naltrexone blocks the opioid receptors so that heroin and other opioids have no effect.
- Join support groups: In addition to medical treatment, consider joining support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. These groups can provide valuable peer support and help you stay motivated in your recovery journey.
- Carry naloxone: Naloxone is a medication that can reverse a heroin overdose if administered quickly. It is available as an auto-pen (Evzio), a nasal spray (Narcan), and an injectable form. In some states, you don't need a prescription to get Narcan, and it is recommended that people at risk of an overdose carry naloxone with them.
- Detox and rehabilitation: Detoxing from heroin can lower your tolerance, increasing the risk of overdose if you use heroin again. Therefore, detox should be done in a medically monitored setting, either as a hospital inpatient or in residential rehab. This ensures your safety and helps manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Address co-occurring disorders: Heroin addiction often co-occurs with mental health disorders. It is important to address these underlying issues as part of your treatment plan. This may include therapy, medication, or other supportive services.
- Seek family and carer support: Addiction affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. If you are a family member or carer of someone struggling with heroin addiction, seek support for yourself as well. Your key worker can organize support and provide resources to help you navigate this challenging time.
- Stay committed: Recovering from heroin addiction is a journey, and relapses may occur. Stay committed to your treatment plan and seek ongoing support to maintain your sobriety and overall well-being.
Remember, seeking help for heroin addiction is a courageous step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. There are resources and professionals ready to support you through this process.
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Frequently asked questions
If you think someone is addicted to heroin, you should encourage them to seek professional help. They can ask a GP or local drug treatment service for help. They are entitled to the same confidential NHS care as anyone else who has a health problem. If they are not ready to stop, they can still get help with staying safe and healthy.
Withdrawal from heroin should always occur in a medically-monitored detox and rehabilitation treatment program to prevent complications. Therefore, you should take them to the hospital if they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
If a heroin addict has overdosed, you should call an ambulance and, if possible, administer naloxone, which can treat a heroin overdose if given in time. Then, take them to the hospital as soon as possible.
