People across the United States and here in Los Angeles struggle with heroin use every day. In some cases, heroin users often maintain relatively normal lives, including school, employment, and families. However, it is still taking its toll on their lives. Unfortunately, the country is living in an opioid epidemic, including heroin use. Like other opioids and opiates, heroin is highly addictive and dangerous. A medical detox program is the safest, most effective way to overcome heroin use.
If you or someone you love is looking for medical detox programs in Los Angeles, DetoxLA can help. Our residential and outpatient detox programs provide clients with luxury medical detox for heroin, alcohol, opiates, and benzos. Call us now at 818.616.7341 to find the right medical detox program for you.
Understanding Dangers of Heroin Use
Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate made from the opium poppy, and at the turn of the 20th century, doctors and nurses began using it in hospitals. However, today, heroin has been replaced by other opiates and opioids for medical use, and it can only be obtained through the illegal drug trade. Generally, people inject or smoke heroin. Because heroin is an illicit street drug, it’s hard to know what a dose contains. Many doses may have dangerous fillers, making the drug more addictive and increasing the risk of overdose.
Like other opiates and opioids, heroin blocks pain receptors in the brain. When heroin enters the bloodstream, it turns into morphine, stopping pain and releasing dopamine for an intense sense of euphoria. While this may temporarily help with chronic or acute pain, in the long term, heroin use can make symptoms worse. Many people use heroin to self-medicate and self-soothe for co-occurring disorders or unprocessed trauma. Heroin provides a physical and mental escape from various kinds of pain. Unfortunately, emotional and physical pain returns when a dose wears off.
Dangers and Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use
The more often someone uses heroin, the higher their tolerance will become. This means that people need more heroin to achieve the same level of pain relief and the same euphoric effect. Over time, heroin changes a person’s brain chemistry, making it difficult to quit using. Long-term effects of heroin use include:
- Higher risk of collapsed veins
- Higher risks of blood-borne illnesses
- Confusion
- Trouble making decisions
- Memory problems
Long-term heroin use can lead to overdose, health decline, and death. Smoking and injecting heroin can have irreversible effects on organ systems.
What Can You Expect When Going Through Heroin Withdrawal?
Withdrawal is one of the first signs heroin use has become an addiction. Most regular heroin users need to take heroin every 6 to 12 hours to avoid withdrawal. Also called dope sickness, heroin withdrawal can cause intense symptoms that are hard to manage, such as:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Intense cravings
- Drug and alcohol cravings
- Self-harming behavior
- Delusions or paranoia
In order to safely get through heroin withdrawal, it may be necessary to enroll in a medical detox program.
Get Started with Heroin Detox at DetoxLA Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin, you are not alone. The team at DetoxLA is here to help now. With a range of luxury detox programs, the team at DetoxLA provides clients with trusted detox and recovery. We provide clients with top-notch care based on the latest neuroscience and holistic techniques for addiction recovery. Our evidence-based medical detox programs empower clients with knowledge, tools, and motivation for sobriety. We know detox sets clients up for their future, so we believe in innovative, person-focused care.
If you and your loved ones use heroin, do not attempt detox at home. Call the team at DetoxLA now for a top-notch medical detox in Los Angeles. Reach us now at 818.616.7341 to learn more and begin heroin detox today.