It can be a challenge to tell a loved one that you have an addiction to heroin or another drug. You may not be willing to admit to yourself that you have a problem or even be aware of how far your addiction has gone. However, though admitting that you need help may be difficult, knowing the signs of heroin addiction and being aware that you have a problem can save your life.
If you think that someone you love is struggling with an addiction to heroin, it’s vital to pay attention to their physical characteristics and habits. Both of these factors can help you identify whether drug addiction is a factor in their life. Then, you can take the first steps toward recovery. For information about heroin addiction treatment options, visit Treatment Connection today.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid created from morphine, a substance that comes from various opium poppy plants in Mexico, Columbia, and southeast and southwest Asia. The substance usually appears as a crumbling powder. While it is often off-white, it can also be dark brown or even black.
A person can use heroin by snorting it, injecting it, or smoking it. They can use pipes, needles, or spoons with needles. In some cases, users may also use elastic bands or rubber tubes to create tourniquets, which make their veins larger so that they can inject the substance into veins that heroin has damaged.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
When a person uses heroin, the physical symptoms occur quickly. If they inject heroin, they will experience the euphoric high associated with the drug within seconds. While other usage methods don’t provide the reaction as quickly, the user will show the signs of being high as the heroin reaches their brain.
Those who use heroin often show a range of physical symptoms. For instance, they will have a dry mouth, and their skin will be flushed. Their pupils will be constricted, and they may fall asleep without warning. Their breathing will be slow, and they may be battling nausea, vomiting, or constipation. Due to their constipation, they may need to use stool softeners or laxatives regularly. Heroin addiction also influences a person’s ability to think clearly. As such, they may have difficulty making decisions or seem disoriented.
Long Term Effects of Heroin Usage
If your loved one has been using heroin for a long period of time, the signs of addiction may differ. For instance, this individual may struggle with insomnia. Their doctor may have diagnosed them with heart infections, lung complications, or liver or kidney disease. If the person snorts heroin, they may have damaged the tissue inside their nose. For users that inject heroin, their veins may have collapsed. They may also be battling abscesses, constipation, and stomach cramping.
Furthermore, due to their heroin usage, they may have developed mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. In such cases, the individual needs dual diagnosis treatment, which will address both conditions simultaneously. Dual diagnosis treatment gives your loved one the tools that they need to enter into long-term recovery.
Get Help Using Treatment Connection
If someone you love is exhibiting the signs of heroin addiction, it’s time to reach out for help. Using the Addiction Needs Assessment on the Treatment Connection website, you can determine what type of treatment your loved one most likely needs. Furthermore, you can use our confidential site to find treatment providers near you. For more information about the signs of heroin addiction, visit Treatment Connection.
