Heroin is a plant that evolves from poppy; it is one of the most common forms of drug addiction; it grows in parts of Asia, Mexico, and South America. Undoubtedly, this is a very dangerous form of addiction and is life-threatening and illegal in most countries. It looks like a brown powder or a lack of “TAR”.
It mixes with blood and can be hard to stop. It shows results within 2-3 minutes. It blocks your body, stops an individual from sensing pain, and increases the heart rate. Two hundred sixty-seven million people worldwide have used drugs and are suffering from drug use disorders. According to the drug report, the UK has ranked higher in cocaine addiction and ecstasy.
Some of the most common occurrences of heroin addiction and its side effects:
Short-term effects of heroin addiction:
- Euphoric: A feeling of immense pleasure in the brain.
- Dizziness: Arms and legs that feel heavy.
- Upset Stomach: Nausea and vomiting.
- Itching: Irritability sensation in the brain.
- Fuzziness: Lack of clarity in mind.
Long-term effects of heroin addiction:
- Collapsed veins are a situation where a vein has clotted with blood, and there is no flow of flood from broken veins, becomes swollen and broken.
- Insomnia: Lack of sleep and irregular sleeping patterns can cause irritability and aggressiveness.
- Mental disorders: Mental health issues, such as anger and depression, are one of the key element which enables a person not to think wisely.
- Liver and kidney disease: Kidney disease is a common complication; addiction directly impacts the kidney as it flushes out all the toxins; however, 50% of people die due to liver failure most common disease is hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Menstrual problems and miscarriage: Menstrual cramps and heavy periods are major causes of any influence under addiction.
What Is Heroin Addiction And Symptoms?
Heroin is extremely addictive. Individuals who consume it develop a life-threatening condition. It generates health issues, disabilities, and disruption at home, job, or academy. If you use heroin a lot, your body makes up patience for it. But that it won't harm you. Your body reaches to depend on it. Then, when you quit using it, One faces symptoms that may include:
- Feeling of extreme nervousness causes jitters in the body.
- Chills and shivers, also called (Cold turkey) Diarrhea and Vomiting.
- Bone and muscle pain (Kicking and shaking of the body)
- Sleeplessness.
- Leg practices that you couldn't control. (Kicking and shaking of the body)
Why Does Heroin Interest People?
The Journey of drug addiction initiates with the voluntary act of taking drugs. Over time, a person's capability to decide not to take drugs becomes compromised. This is due to long-term drug exposure to brain function. Addiction influences parts of the brain (Neurotransmitters) involved in reward and motivation, learning, and remembering.
The major reason for people consuming heroin:
It is highly addictive, and most of those who use it falls into drug disorder, which ultimately falls to drug abuse and intense experience cravings. The first dose of heroin can make an individual fall sick; nausea and vomiting are the commonly associated symptoms.
- Most individuals use it to feel good, euphoric, and relaxed and to fall asleep for a longer period.
- It seems like brownish, white, and brown drug peddlers mix it with baking powder or brown powder as a substitute. It mainly comes from opiates and is often used as a pain killer. The most population uses it to ease their pain.
- It tastes bitter and can have a vinegary smell, but it can be odorless; it starts affecting in 2-3 minutes and has a huge impact on falling prey to heroin addiction early.
- The effects of heroin on the brain can generate cravings and a powerful drive to keep using.
- As heroin is used regularly, the body produces chemical signals and levels up a tolerance, ultimately leading to heroin overdose.
Diagnosis, Therapies & Treatment to combat Heroin Addiction
According to the national library of medicine (NIH), The possible number of individuals striving for a remedy to overcome addiction—about 0.5 million opiate users, 2.3 million cannabis users, and 10.5 million alcohol users—is a severe challenge for India at present, said Mr. Lewis.
Diagnosis is mostly conducted in one or more drug tests; based on the test, it is thoroughly examined what prescription and treatment to be given based on the patient's condition. The testing is also done in many jobs and professions, such as sports, legal evidence, and employment; a sample of blood, urine, and saliva is taken; the only purpose is to ensure that it is tested in good ways to avoid any sort of life-threatening scenario such as heroin overdose.
The tests can find different signs that state how much quantity of drug is present in the body, misuse of prescribed medicines during the treatment:
- Type of drug used
- How much is consumed
- How does the body respond to the drugs
- Body reaction to the drugs
Best heroin addiction treatment, according to findings while conducting research based on the variation of drug consumption addiction, people need to quickly assess as individuals cannot straight away leave the drugs and be cured as it's a slow driven process and demands time and perseverance.
Some tailor-made programs and therapies for the consumption of heroin addiction withdrawals.
- Behavioral counseling: By seeking the help of an expert and trained psychiatrist, highly effective and fast results can be a hope to recovery, reshaping, reinforcing, and punishment the part of this therapy.
- (CBT) Cognitive Behavioural therapy, speech therapy, or psychotherapy is a structured way of following a therapy. Helps recognize patients and cope with a situation where they are most likely to use drugs.
- Medication or medical services enables a person to advance therapy; detoxification is the first step to recovery; it is a treatment process. Almost 80% of medicines are used during the period of detoxification and usually resume their drug use. Machine devices help in the simulation of brain cells which helps in recovery.
- Outpatient Behavioral Treatment
- Motivational therapy: Entering the treatment process and being ready to change and cope with the situation where they are more likely to fall into addiction.
- Family counseling therapy: Communication and psychological counseling(Psychotherapy) can help the family overcome clinical social work and resolve conflicts.
- Co-occurring therapy: Long-term follow-up to prevent relapse, Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Follow-up session to prevent relapse.
- Family treatment is usually provided by a psychologist, clinical social worker, or certified therapist.
- Therapeutic communities are highly structured schedules in which patients remain at a residence, generally for 6 to 12 months, for heroin addiction withdrawal. The entire assembly, including medical staff and those in recovery, act as key agents of transformation, affecting the patient’s perspectives, understanding, and manners associated with drug use.
Withdrawal Effects of Heroin Addiction
- Running nose
- Mood changes: Mood swings are often seen among the patients.
- Irritability: Irritability due to lack of influence of drugs might trigger the patient.
- Anger and anxiety
- Teary eyes: Common symptoms seen among the patient with heroin overdose or under the influence of addiction.
- Shivering: Shaky legs, Jitters.
How Many People Are Affected By Heroin Addiction?
According to (UNODC) over 36 million people worldwide are under the influence of drug addiction. In comparison, only one out of seven people get treated from the same for heroin or opioid, or marijuana addiction. The extent of drug abuse is at the highest among ten countries, i.e., Nigeria and India, due to their population.
According to the center and state agency drug law enforcement agencies, these centers have the right to screen agencies and shape them under the guidelines of controlling drug abuse in India.
Drug awareness program and addiction services
Many drug centers are operating and delivering supervision of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for a patient dealing with addiction, drugs such as opioids, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, ganja, and Alcohol addiction. SimranShri rehabilitation provides top-notch services by ensuring that patients' and family needs are met.
Some of the benefits they offer are among the chosen which help as an intermediary for treatment of heroin addiction treatment:
- Best heroin addiction treatment
- In-patient and out-patient services
- 24x7 Pick and drop facility
- In-house doctors visit
- Psychiatrists counseling
- Group therapy sessions
- Behavioral Therapy
