Heroin Addiction Treatment

What is heroin addiction?

Heroin use has significantly increased, particularly in the 18-25-year-old segment. It is widely used across geography, gender, socio-economic and race. Heroin induces an intense high for the addict and is highly addictive.

Heroin is highly addictive.

Like all opioids, heroin is known for its highly addictive nature. This is due to the effect it has on the brain. Heroin is chemically modified morphine. When the drug goes into the addict’s body, enzymes convert it back into morphine, and it attaches itself to neural cells in the brain called opioid receptors.

After that, dopamine is released, which creates a pleasurable feeling. The addict wants to repeat this feeling again and again. In a short time, the individual requires larger quantities and more potent heroin to achieve the same level of pleasure. This is called tolerance.

As the individual continually seeks to achieve and maintain their high, the cycle of addiction begins to take over the addict’s life. At this stage, two things are of paramount importance to the person:

• The strong desire to get high from heroin

• To avoid the discomfort from not ingesting the drug

The body’s discomfort at not having the substance is called ‘withdrawal’. The fear or withdrawal experience keeps most addicts returning to using the substance, even if they want to stop.

Methods of use and effects of heroin

Heroin can be smoked or snorted but is usually injected into a vein, under the skin or muscle.

When smoked or injected, the impact is immediate since the drug enters the bloodstream directly; the high will also be intense but of a shorter duration.

When snorted, the impact is comparatively slower and less intense but lasts longer.

Continual and increased intravenous delivery methods lead to several complications, including infections, diseases like HIV and hepatitis, and cardiovascular problems.

What is the overall impact of heroin addiction?
Heroin addiction has an overwhelmingly negative impact on the addict’s health, relationships, career or education, and ethical and moral system.

Opiate use disorder, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5), can have some or all of the following effects:
• Spending a majority of resources (time, money and energy) finding, scoring and using heroin
• Using more heroin than intended or more frequently than intended
• Failing to participate in once-enjoyed activities or fulfil personal or professional responsibilities
• Struggling to stop using, but unable to do so, repeatedly
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
• Using heroin in situations that are potentially hazardous (such as driving)
• Becoming tolerant to the drug (needing increasing quantity to get the same effects)

Getting help for heroin addiction
Addiction is highly relapse-prone, and the initial recovery process is more effective and safer in a rehab setting with professional support.
In rehab, the heroin addict undergoes withdrawal under medical supervision. This is called detoxification.
Since cravings persist for a long time, the therapy team works with the individual to evolve relapse prevention techniques. A structured diet plan and lifestyle gradually bring the body back to a healthy status.
Emotional issues are addressed by individual and group counselling. An effective model includes 12-step facilitation, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and other therapeutic tools to explore, identify and manage blocks and patterns.