heroin treatment in washingtonHeroin addiction has been a major problem for the state of Washington and is the primary reason why the state has invested heavily in facilities to address this problem. Heroin treatment in Washington has been made available to anyone who needs it, providing access to medical services, medication-assisted treatments, and therapy for those seeking to kick their heroin habit. The state of Washington has even provided overdose prevention and education programs that focus on increasing awareness of the growing problem of heroin addiction and in reducing the stigma associated with seeking substance abuse treatments for heroin addiction. Interviews done with people seeking help for heroin abuse reveal that many prefer to not seek help at all because of the harsh judgment they get, regardless of the fact that they are trying to clean up.

Why is Heroin so Addictive?

Dual Diagnosis Treatment CenterHeroin produces an intense high that does not last long. An opioid and morphine derivative, the drug also gives users a sense of euphoria followed by drowsiness, sedation, and feelings of warmth. Users will need increasing dosages of the drug to maintain this high, however. Additionally, dependency will quickly and inevitably develop. Abuse and addiction can also have devastating consequences to your health which have an early onset, and continued use can easily result in overdose and accidental death. In this case, you need the help of a heroin addiction rehab center. Fortunately, there are treatment options available at Bayview Recovery (include default link to anchor text “Bayview Recovery”)

What are the Signs of Heroin Use?

Due to the fact that heroin is a very potent substance, a person who is into it will definitely manifest signs that they already have a heavy dependency on it. Decades ago, heroin users could immediately be spotted because of the “track marks” left when they used syringes to deliver the substance into their bloodstream. Today, however, with people getting more creative with how they administer their chosen abused substance, detecting drug use could be more challenging. The telltale signs of heroin use, however, are unmistakable.

The most common signs include:

  • Bloodshot eyes
  • “Pinpoint” (highly constricted) pupils
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Tendency to be secretive about most things
  • Drastic changes in appearance
  • Apparent lack of interest in anything
  • Extreme drowsiness

With drug enforcement people becoming more aware of what particular characteristics people manifest when they use a specific substance, more signs have come to be known from people who use heroin, including:

Physical Signs

  • Chronic sedation
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Flushed skin
  • Frequent itching of skin
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Persistent drowsiness
  • Heaviness of limbs and body
  • Susceptibility to respiratory infections
  • Drastic weight loss
  • Slurred, garbled, or incoherent speech
  • Infections or abscesses at injection site (for IV users)
  • Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle)

Emotional And Psychological Signs

  • Difficulty thinking
  • Disorientation
  • Anxiety
  • Mood-swings
  • Irritability
  • Agitation
  • Impaired decision-making
  • Memory loss
  • General lack of interest
  • Paranoia
  • Apathy

Behavioral Signs

  • Neglecting responsibilities (home, work, and school)
  • Suden tendency to be secretive
  • Compromised self-control
  • Lack of impulse control
  • Social isolation
  • Unwarranted hostility
  • Cycling through periods of hyperactivity followed by periods of lethargy
  • Erratic behavior
  • Neglect of hygiene and physical appearance

What are the Effects of Heroin Dependency?

Untreated heroin addiction has many dangers. In addition to the high risk of overdose, users who buy heroin on the streets cannot know the concentration of the drug they are buying or taking or whether the drug has other substances which could further harm their health. These factors make breaking a dependency even more difficult and will require users to have medically supervised heroin detox followed immediately by a comprehensive heroin addiction rehab center.

Recent studies prove the critical need for heroin detox as well as rehab if you have a heroin problem. Between 2001 and 2014, overdose deaths have quadrupled, and the drug has killed more than 10,000 users annually. It also doesn’t appear these trends are temporary or will decrease. Our substance abuse rehab center in Washington offers a heroin addiction treatment center that can help you avoid becoming a part of these tragic statistics, offering one of the most comprehensive and accessible recovery programs anywhere.

Short-Term Effects

Side effects from short-term heroin use may vary depending on how much of the drug was taken and for how long. Generally, however, the symptoms that can be expected include:

  • Slower than normal heart rate
  • Slower than normal breathing
  • Lower than normal body temperature
  • Cyanotic (blue) extremities
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Constricted pupils
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sleepiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Itchiness

Long-Term Effects

Long-term heroin abuse comes with severe and even life-threatening symptoms including:

  • Brain damage from prolonged lack of oxygen
  • Memory issues
  • Emotional numbness
  • Isolation
  • Sleeping issues and insomnia
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Irreversible liver and kidney damage
  • Hepatitis-induced cancer
  • Tooth and gum decay
  • Decreased appetite and malnutrition
  • Chronic constipation
  • Excoriated skin resulting in abscesses, infections, and sores
  • Reduced sexual desire and function
  • Immune system impairment and increased illnesses
  • Weakness and sedation

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Heroin Addiction?

Heroin withdrawal presents a wide array of symptoms that vary with the length as well as the intensity of your habit. If you have very severe symptoms, medically-assisted detox treatment from a heroin addiction rehab center can help increase your comfort and enhance the success of your rehab.

Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

  • Anxiety
  • Hypertension
  • Respiratory issues
  • Nausea
  • A runny nose
  • Body aches
  • Irritability
  • Tremors
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Emotional numbness
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Chills and sweats
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Restlessness
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Insomnia

Bayview Recovery Heroin Addiction Rehab Center

heroin treatment in washingtonRecovering at a heroin addiction treatment center can be challenging, even with help, however, it is not impossible. First, you must detox, and Bayview Recovery can assist in this process. However, to end your dependency and enjoy a drug-free life, you will need rehab, but not all rehab programs are the same, just like not all addictions are the same.

In fact, you shouldn’t settle for any rehab treatment in Washington that isn’t highly individualized, and Bayview Recovery has one of the most intensive and personally focused rehab programs in the country. Our broad addiction therapy modalities and high staff-to-patient ratio allow us to deliver high-quality, highly-personalized care so you can get the most effective recovery possible quickly and get on with your life. We also provide a wide array of treatment options, which we tailor to each patient’s needs, including:

Get in touch with one of Bayview Recovery’s specialists today. Don’t let your heroin addiction define you. You can break free from heroin and then set a course for your life that doesn’t depend on substances. Joy and health are possible, and you can get there with Bayview Recovery. We’ll be right beside you every step of the way.