Heroin is among the most abused substances worldwide due to the euphoric feeling it gives to abusers. Alternatively called dope or junk on the street, heroin is used medically to manage severe pain but has become a popular narcotic for addicts.
There are many heroin abuse symptoms. Consequently, the signs of heroin use worsen as the addiction increases. We shall discuss heroin use symptoms, how additive, and how to find treatment programs in Los Angeles, CA.
What is Heroin?
We can’t discuss the symptoms of heroin use without knowing about the substance. Heroin is a white crystalline powder obtained by manufacturers from morphine but has a shorter work interval. Similar to morphine, it is a strong addictive narcotic. Doctors on patients with severe pain often use it. Continued heroin use by anyone will lead to dependence, so doctors should discourage it.
How Addictive is Heroin?
Heroin is a highly addictive substance. Heroin addicts often cultivate tolerance for the opiate. Their tolerance increases over time, so they will require a more frequent dosage of the substance to reach the desired’ high’ state. People abuse heroin in many ways, including by injection, sniffing, snorting, or smoking. Some long-term abusers sometimes mix it with crack cocaine before smoking or sniffing it.
The increased use of heroin by people worldwide is a serious health concern. According to a survey published by the National Institute on Drugs Use, heroin is the second most abused narcotic in America, behind cocaine. It is also the fastest–reacting opiate in the world, which increases the rate of overdose and death in users.
People addicted to heroin often develop substance abuse disorder, which causes health problems and harms their ability to function in society as regular people. The effects often start mildly but become severe over time.
Contact California Wellness Center today to learn more about our Orange County drug and alcohol rehab center.
What are the Symptoms of Heroin?
Signs of heroin use are similar to other abused narcotics because it affects abusers differently. The different symptoms result from body weight, frequency of use, and the user’s genetic makeup. But, there are committed symptoms of heroin use that anyone can easily notice in a person, including,
- Anxiety and Depression
- Euphoria, which is popularly called “high” on the street.
- Unexpected mood changes
- Poor hygiene
- Agitation and restless
- Inexplicable weight loss
- Hostility towards friends and loved ones, especially when they don’t have money to get their “fix.”
- Delusions
- Hallucinations and paranoia
- Long periods of hyperactivity are often accompanied by an extended period of exhaustion.
- The appearance of burnt spoons, needles or syringes, and glass pipes in the users’ houses.
- Sleep disorder
- Sudden decline in work or academic performance caused by lack of motivation.
- Dry mouth
- Periods of slurred speech and shortness of breath.
- Track marks on arms and legs caused by injection.
- Extreme itching, especially before a fix.
Heroin addiction symptoms exist in two forms: regular and withdrawal symptoms. The Withdrawal symptoms appear when the user attempts to fight his addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are not peculiar to heroin addicts alone; other abusers of narcotics experience it too. A caregiver, medical personnel, or loved one will notice common withdrawal symptoms in a heroin addict.
- Constricted pupils
- Extreme sweating even in cold weather.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe muscle aches that lead to weakness.
- Strong longing for heroin.
- Insomnia
- Crying jags as a result of intense pain in the muscles and bones.
- Fever and cold sweats
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea is not common in people with short use of heroin.
- In extreme cases, death can occur without urgent medical assistance to treat other symptoms listed above
It is necessary to know that extended heroin addiction can cause the onset of mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How to Find Heroin Treatment Programs in Los Angeles, CA
If you are a heroin addict living in Los Angeles or know someone you want to get better, many treatment centers locally provide the required platform for addicts to recover. The best of the bunch is California Wellness Center.
We offer addiction treatment in Orange County, such as detoxification and residential inpatient, focused on making addicts rediscover themselves. These programs also strengthen family bonds to give you the support necessary to undergo recovery and promote physical health. The center’s goal is to ensure patients develop professional skills that help them have the optimal environment for recovery.
The programs include personal therapy, holistic therapy, and family therapy to treat substance addiction, including heroin. These programs are certified by healthcare providers worldwide as the best ways to treat substance abuse. There are dual-diagnosis programs to help patients with mental disorders caused by substance abuse.
California Wellness Center has fun activities, comfortable beds, and tasty meals to ensure patients feel at home during their stay.
