859-681-7823Widely known for its highly addictive properties as well as its powerful sedative effects, heroin has earned its reputation as a brutally destructive drug. In the wake of the recent opiate epidemic—including fentanyl addiction—it is vital to learn about the dangers of opiates like heroin. Lexington Addiction Center is proud to provide treatment options to those suffering from heroin dependency. Heroin addiction treatment in Lexington can help a person to reclaim their freedom from addiction and move forward with their life in a healthy manner.
Join us in learning more about what makes heroin such a dangerous substance.
What Makes Heroin So Addictive?
Heroin is classified as an opiate. Opiates are derived from the opium of the poppy plant. These drugs make up a wide variety of both the prescription pain medications on the pharmaceutical market. Unfortunately, they also make up as many of the major illicit narcotics like heroin and fentanyl.
Prescription opiates include well-known pharmaceuticals like morphine, hydrocodone, oxycontin, codeine, and methadone. These drugs are used to treat pain, as opiates are known for their strong pain-relieving and sedative properties.
Sadly, as with many pharmaceuticals, many people begin their addiction with a legitimate prescription. Through injury or surgery, many non-users will be prescribed a drug like hydrocodone in order to cope with their pain. Over the course of taking this medication, even though originally given out as a legitimate prescription, many people will develop full-blown addiction.
Once the legitimate prescription runs out, many people are left with nowhere else to turn. With intense cravings and powerful withdrawal symptoms, many choose to go to the streets in order to get the “fix” that they now crave. This leads many non-users into developing a full-blown addiction in a very short period of time.
With the potential to hook any person, regardless of their age, background, economic, and social status makes heroin one of the most terrifying drugs on the planet.
Is Heroin Dangerous?
In short, heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs in existence today. Highly addictive, heroin slowly erodes away the lives of its users. It impacts one’s life, loved ones, personal health, economic stability, career path, and finances. As a result, these things can be slowly stripped away as one sinks deeper and deeper into heroin addiction.
Aside from the negative impacts that heroin can have on a person’s life, heroin is inherently dangerous as an opiate. When ingested—either orally or intravenously—-heroin acts quickly on the body’s central nervous system. The drug quickly shuts down many major motor and brain functions. This results in a “euphoric” and sedative state that often sees users standing, sitting, or lying motionless for hours.
The risk of stroke, heart attack, and suffocation are greatly increased with the use of heroin. Additionally, the risk of overdose is particularly high with heroin. Oftentimes, knowing the “proper dosage” can be highly difficult to predict. This often leads to users taking too much of the drug, thus overloading their body and resulting in overdose.
On top of the aforementioned dangers of heroin use, the rise in fentanyl production and use across the United States has worsened the opiate epidemic. Many distributors now cut their heroin with fentanyl in order to maximize their profits. This also maximizes the danger for unsuspecting users. This is because fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Additionally, fentanyl is undetectable. This means users will have no idea whether or not fentanyl is present, as well as how potent the dosage is. Unpredictable, highly addictive, and remarkably potent, these attributes and variables make heroin one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use
Learning the signs and symptoms of heroin use can help one to better identify whether or not friends, family, or other loved ones are using. This can be key in helping them to get the assistance they need in order to get their lives back onto a healthy path.
While many people experience different symptoms and may show different signs when using heroin, there are a few key attributes to be mindful of when trying to identify a user.
Heroin use signs and symptoms may include but are not limited to:
- Lying about use
- Pulling away from friends, family, and other loved ones
- Loss of interest in once enjoyed activities
- Erratic behaviors
- Impulsive actions
- Anxiety
- Disorientation
- Agitation or irritability
- Weight loss
- Open or recent wounds, sores, or scabs
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Decreased productivity at work or in school
- Lack of attention to personal hygiene
- Regular respiratory infections
- Itching
- Nodding (appearing to lull in and out of consciousness
- Possession of paraphernalia
How We Treat Heroin Addiction at Lexington Rehab Center
Here at Lexington Addiction Center, we believe in effective treatment that lasts. When one arrives at our center they are evaluated by our staff in order to best determine the proper treatment plan conducive to their successful recovery.
Once we have established the appropriate plan of action, our clients work one on one with a staff member in order to best determine what course of treatment would benefit them most. Next, treatment begins. We offer a plethora of treatment options and modalities in order to ensure that each one of our clients receives the care that they deserve.
We are proud to offer PHP (partial hospitalization program), IOP (intensive outpatient program) and OP (outpatient programming) options. Regardless of one’s individual situation or trauma, we can fit their lifestyle. Additionally, we offer a number of services and resources to our clients including:
- Trauma therapy
- Family therapy
- 12-Step recovery/life skills
- Holistic therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment
By offering multiple pathways to wellness, we help to maximize the success of our clients. As such, this will ensure they receive all the means necessary to achieve full and lasting recovery.
Find Relief For Heroin Addiction in Kentucky Today
Here at Lexington Addiction Center, we are waiting with open arms to give you the tools necessary to overcome heroin addiction. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team of professionals will help you every step of the way during your recovery journey.
We understand how difficult overcoming addiction can be. Likewise, we know that through effective, evidence-based therapies and treatment, a person can heal and begin their life free from the hardships of dependency.
There has never been a better time to reclaim your independence from addiction. Contact us today, and take the first steps in your journey to lasting recovery.
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Set yourself free from the struggles of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Reach out to our treatment team in Lexington, Kentucky today.
