What is Heroin?
The word “heroin” sends chills down the spine of many people, specifically those who have struggled with an addiction to the substance. However, for people who have never suffered from an addiction to this substance, one of the questions that you may have revolved around what exactly is heroin?
You may be surprised to learn that over the last year, over a million people have reported combating addiction to heroin. Heroin is an extremely addictive opioid that can leave a person feeling as though they are experiencing a pleasurable mentality. The irony is that heroin is considered a depressant as well as a Schedule I substance. This means that there are no medical conditions where heroin would ever be prescribed which is why it’s considered to be an illegal substance. Heroin is defined as a synthesized form of morphine which is a powerful pain-relieving substance.
Since heroin is categorized as an “illegal” substance, it’s known by many different names. Some examples include horse, H, and smack. It’s usually developed in a white or brown powder form, however, it is a substance that can be directly injected intravenously, snorted, or even smoked.
About Heroin Addiction
One of the dangerous aspects of heroin addiction is the fact that it’s a condition that can develop fairly quickly. For example, it wouldn’t be uncommon for a person to develop a serious addiction to this substance after consuming it only a handful of times. What many don’t understand about addiction, in general, is the fact that addiction is a disease, it’s not a choice. There is no sane person that would knowingly choose to continue to consume a substance that would harm them. However, due to the fact that addictive substances can change the overall psychological and physical makeup of the body, every day more and more people fall into this harmful cycle. Once you do recognize that you have an addiction and you’re ready to overcome those struggles, you would reach out for help immediately so that you can receive the professional care and assistance that you need to tackle your addiction once and for all.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the dangers associated with heroin withdrawal symptoms is the fact that they are unpredictable. As a result, it’s possible that you may experience any one or all of the following withdrawal symptoms:
- Cravings
- Sweating
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Fatigue
- Stomach issues
- Seizures
In all, it’s possible that any one of these symptoms, unless treated properly could either lead to relapse or worse, death. You should always be under the care of professionals in a safe and secure environment throughout the course of your detox.
What is Heroin Addiction Treatment Like?
Types of Heroin Addiction Treatment Programs
There are several types of heroin treatment programs that you can opt to commit to. Here are some examples:
Inpatient treatment
Do you feel as though you live in an environment that simply doesn’t support your efforts toward sobriety? If the answer is yes, then you wouldn’t be the first person to feel this way. For example, there are many people who live with someone who is struggling with their own addiction and, as a result, cannot maintain their own sobriety because of the substance abuse of another person. If you’re ready to change the environment around you so that you can truly tackle your addiction, then the best treatment option for you is a residential treatment program. During inpatient or residential treatment, you will have the opportunity to live on the campus of your treatment facility of choice and have around-the-clock care for your team. You will also be able to regularly interact with other people that are working their way through their own treatment program which is something that can help you to grow your support system of support.
Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is a great option for a person that may have work or school responsibilities. Outpatient programs provide you with more flexibility when it comes to your overall recovery. Your treatment team will work with you on a personal basis to help you to develop a recovery plan that either doesn’t or minimally interferes with your current work, school, or personal schedule. If your schedule changes during the course of your treatment, simply let your treatment team know so that they can make any adjustments to your recovery plan.
You don’t need to commit to just one program or the other. For instance, you may decide that you want to begin your recovery in an inpatient program, however, you may only be able to commit to this type of program for a short period of time. If you would still like to strengthen your foundation in addiction recovery, you can always transition from an inpatient program to an outpatient one. This is an adjustment that your treatment team can help you with at any point in your recovery journey.
It’s important to remember that committing to an addiction treatment program is only the first step in a treatment journey that will last you for the rest of your life. Once you complete your initial inpatient or outpatient program, you should always focus on your aftercare. If you decide to partner with Pacific Manor, for example, you will have the opportunity to participate in our aftercare program which can help to keep you in touch with our treatment team as well as other people that have completed their own respective forms of treatment.
Something else that you should always incorporate into your aftercare schedule is attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings. You will quickly notice that NA meetings follow the model of a group therapy session in the sense that you will have the opportunity to share more about your experiences in active addiction and what steps you’re taking to maintain your sobriety. There are NA meetings that are offered in and around the Riverside area at different times throughout the week.
Heroin Detox Riverside
For many people that have an addiction to heroin, the first thing that they will need to do before they can commit to a comprehensive treatment program is going through a detox program. The reason for this is that due to the severe impact that heroin can have on your body, within just a few hours from the time that you last consume the substance, your body will begin to crave it again. When you don’t consume it, your body and your mind will go into somewhat of a tailspin as the cravings begin to set in.
In the majority of cases, you will need to spend approximately seven days in a detox program with the worst of your withdrawal symptoms developing within the first three days. Once you’ve made the decision to overcome your addiction, it’s imperative that you reach out for help right away so that you’re never put in a position of having to try to manage withdrawal symptoms without the assistance of professional addiction experts. By the end of your time in detox, you will be in a much better place both physically and psychologically to address your addiction. At that point, you will be able to transition into a treatment program that will help you to identify the root cause of your addiction and heal from it.
MAT for Heroin Addiction
Simply because you are no longer taking heroin doesn’t mean that you will be automatically free from the cravings or the uncomfortable symptoms that may result in the coming days and months. Although it’s true that you will experience the worst of your withdrawal symptoms during your time in detox, it’s possible that you may still experience lingering symptoms such as cravings or heroin that may have impacted your mental health. This is where medically assisted treatment for heroin addiction can be incredibly helpful.
MAT for heroin addiction incorporates certain medications into your overall treatment plan. These medications can help to offset the cravings that you’re experiencing and help you to manage what you are thinking and feeling as you move forward in your recovery. There are some that are hesitant to take advantage of this treatment option because some of the medication that is used has addictive qualities to it. However, when you work with an experienced treatment team, you can take comfort in the fact that the individuals that are caring for you will never put you in the path of serious harm.
Heroin Addiction Treatment at Pacific Manor Recovery
The treatment team at Pacific Manor Recovery is available right now to help you put the framework of your heroin addiction treatment plan together. Whether you need to begin your recovery in detox or you’re ready to commit to an inpatient or an outpatient program, you can take comfort in the fact that you will have a team of addiction experts at your disposal throughout the course of your recovery. If you would like more information about our treatment programs, please get in touch with us at (888) 300-4370.
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