Opioids have been in the spotlight over the past several decades. Many people who get prescribed opioids continue to use them and become addicted. Some people feel their prescription no longer works, causing them to begin using harder drugs like opioids. Heroin derives from morphine, a drug produced from poppy plants. Users sniff, inject, snort, or smoke it. Heroin addiction causes changes in brain activity. Learn more about this highly addictive drug and how to look for signs of heroin addiction. At Bayview Recovery, we can help you take the first steps toward recovery with our heroin addiction treatment program.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
There are psychological and physical signs of heroin addiction, including common and severe symptoms. While everyone experiences different reactions to the drug, there are some common factors.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse includes the following signs in its list:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling of euphoria
- Severe itching
- Flushed skin
- Prolonged drowsiness
- Slowed heart rate
- Unclear thinking
- Heaviness of the limbs
Severe Symptoms
If you use heroin for a long time or take a lot of it, severe symptoms may develop. Many of these signs of heroin addiction last at least a full day. Additionally, heroin distributors sometimes lace their supply with other chemicals to make it more profitable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes the following reactions to bad batches of the drug:
- Palpitations
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Tremors
Bayview Recovery has a medication-assisted detox program that helps our clients get through these reactions and sets them on the road to recovery.
Heroin Overdose Signs
Signs of heroin addiction during an overdose often lead to hospitalization or death. The purity of the heroin and what other chemicals are added determine the toxicity of a batch. Hopefully, you never have to experience an overdose or watch someone else go through it.
The following symptoms often occur during a heroin overdose:
- Bluish tint to lips or nails
- Shallow breathing
- Disorientation
- Delirium
- Pinpoint pupils
- Low blood pressure
- Coma
- Drowsiness
- Weak pulse
To avoid the risk of an overdose, turn to the professional addiction staff at Bayview Recovery. In our heroin addiction rehab center, you can learn valuable skills that help you avoid relapse.
Withdrawal Symptoms
During withdrawal, signs of heroin addiction often begin within 6 to 12 hours after you stop using the drug. These symptoms typically peak within a day or two before subsiding over the course of a week. However, the experience is slightly different for each person.
Withdrawal symptoms often continue periodically throughout the recovery process and include:
- Bad mood or dysphoria
- Yawning
- Insomnia
- Drug cravings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Body aches
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness
Holistic Therapies to Reduce Drug Cravings
During recovery, you may receive medication to help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. You can also learn to practice yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation therapy to redirect your thoughts and remain calm. These and other skills gained at Bayview Recovery can reduce drug cravings that threaten your recovery.
Addiction Treatment Center in Tacoma, Washington
If you notice the signs of heroin addiction in a loved one, suggest a reliable treatment center in Tacoma, WA. Bayview Recovery offers several programs to help make a difference. Some of these programs include:
- Intensive Outpatient Program,
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Outpatient Treatment Programs
- Holistic Drug Rehab Center
If you use heroin, the sooner you get help, the faster you can get back to a productive life full of promise. Contact us at 855.478.3650 for more information on how we can help you break the cycle of addiction. Get the help your loved one needs today.
