Heroin Abuse Treatment Program

Diamorphine (or Diacetylmorphine) is a substance sought after for its ability to produce a strong euphoric effect in the human body. You may know it by the drug's more common name, heroin. Due to heroin’s highly addictive nature, it’s important to consider heroin abuse treatment in MA.

Do you need to know more about heroin abuse treatment in MA? Call us today at 855-795-1226.

What is Heroin?

Heroin usually is sold in a brown powdered form but also is processed and sold as an off-white powder and a dark brown or black tarry resin. Derived from the opium poppy (papaver somniferum), heroin has a lengthy history of being a controlled substance sought for the strong analgesic effects (pain killing properties) and the “feel-good” rush that it brings. 

Heroin is considered by many to be one of the fastest growing abused substances in the United States. Each year there are more and more heroin users. It is a highly addictive psychoactive substance being sold on our streets today. It can be smoked, snorted or injected intravenously. The risk of addiction is extremely high, even for first time users. However, the risk of possible overdose is great as well because heroin is a respiratory depressant.

Physical Symptoms of Heroin Abuse

There can be many signs and symptoms that you or a loved one suffers from heroin abuse or some form of opioid use disorder. They can range from behavior changes to physical symptoms. 

The following are a list of signs you may suffer from heroin addiction:

  • Sudden agitation or drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Constricted (small) pupils
  • Depression
  • Memory problems
  • Needle marks
  • Runny nose or frequently sniffing
  • Constipation
  • Reduced sense of pain
  • Behavioral Symptoms of Heroin Abuse
  • Sudden change in appearance
  • Sudden lack of concern over hygiene
  • Financial issues
  • Lying to friends and family
  • Increasingly risky or dangerous behavior
  • Loss of interest in things once found pleasurable

Heroin Withdrawals

Withdrawals from heroin are very unpleasant. While not typically life-threatening, it has been described by some as “feeling like they are dying.” Heroin withdrawals occur when your body has become physically dependent upon the drug. Your body has become so used to the substance that without it cannot seem to function properly without it. 

The withdrawals can be compared to the “flu x100” at times. In fact, to somebody unfamiliar with heroin addiction, withdrawal could be confused for the flu. 

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

These are some of the more common symptoms of heroin withdrawal:

  • Restlessness
  • Diarrhea
  • Body aches
  • Vomiting
  • The chills (cold flashes)
  • Restless legs
  • Runny nose

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms and have been using heroin or any other opioid you may be experiencing withdrawals. If this is the case it would be advisable to enter a medical detox facility to properly detox from the drug properly under a physician’s care.

Heroin Detox

Once admitted to a medical detox facility you will be under proper medical supervision on an inpatient basis. There are several options for medication to help with the symptoms of heroin addiction. 

A detox may give multiple options such as a long-acting benzodiazepine such as Ativan or Librium and taper you off. They could also offer a medical taper with other opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine (Suboxone). You can read more about the heroin detox process on our recovery blog. Upon completion of detox, the next step would be admitting to a heroin abuse treatment program.

The Heroin Abuse Treatment Program At Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center

At Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center located in Wakefield, MA, we offer a Heroin Abuse Treatment Program based on clinically proven methods to help you recover from heroin addiction. Aftermath’s heroin abuse treatment program will provide quality and ethical care for individuals with opioid use disorder. Our team will meet each client where they are at and formulate an individualized treatment program aimed at your individual goals. It may seem impossible to break free from heroin addiction. However, we are here to help make that possible.

The road to recovery can begin with one call. Call Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center today at 855-795-1226. Together we will rise.