Heroin Treatment
Heroin is a highly addictive drug and is typically injected, snorted, or smoked. Heroin is the most abused of all the opiates.. Injection provides the fastest rush and greatest intensity of the drug, usually within seconds. When heroin is snorted or smoked the effects are usually felt within 10 to 15 minutes. All three forms of using heroin are addictive however smoking and snorting heroin do not produce the rush as quickly or as intensely as injection does.
“Shooting up” (injecting) is the most commonly used route of heroin use among heroin addicts who end up seeking treatment. However, researchers have observed that patterns are shifting to more addicts snorting referred to as “sniffing” or smoking heroin. This has introduced heroin to a more diverse group of users.
Short-term effects include:
- Physical rush
- Shallow breathing
- Confusion
- Poor mental functioning
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness and dulling of pain
- Spontaneous termination of pregnancy
Long term effects include:
- Abuse and dependence
- Infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, Hepatitis)
- Collapsed veins
- Bacterial infections
- Abscesses
- Heart damage and failure
- Arthritis
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can start a few hours to one day after using heroin. Withdrawal symptoms are not life threatening as it can be with alcohol, benzos and barbiturates but they can be profoundly uncomfortable and painful which makes the heroin addict want to use again to avoid the discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms can include: sweating, feelings of panic, depression, sense of futility, muscle cramping, crying spells, inability to sleep, chills, runny nose, severe bone aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. A common condition that many heroin addicts also describe experiencing is known as “itchy blood.” This condition which literally feels like the addict’s blood is itching results in the addict scratching, tearing or compulsively picking at their skin which can result in cuts and bruises. So while there is no imminent threat of death from the withdrawal symptoms of heroin, the side effects are intense and counteractive drugs are often needed to reduce the above listed symptoms.
Heroin Treatment
Treatment for heroin addiction can be done in an inpatient, residential or outpatient setting. Methadone clinics that administer methadone are another option. Suboxone is newer popular counteractive drug for opioid dependence that works on the opioid receptor similar to methadone. Suboxone is available at pharmacies. Medication interventions should be coupled with cognitive behavioral work, therapy, drug counseling, education and 12 step support groups.
Many heroin rehab programs add in other techniques as well, creating a total wellness package for the mind, body, and soul. Some of these include:
- Hypnotherapy
- Somatic experiencing
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Psychodrama
- Art therapy
- Neurofeedback
- Biofeedback and Brain imaging
- Couples and family work
- Massage therapy
- Yoga
- Sports psychology
- Spiritual counseling among other modalities.
An interdisciplinary team creates a multi-faceted treatment approach that addresses physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges present within addiction. A team approach helps to identify areas where an individual’s coping mechanisms are no longer working and assists the heroin addict in developing their internal healing capabilities to sustain a life long sobriety.