Heroin is often injected via syringe or hypodermic needle. Users are obsessed with getting their next fix, which inevitably leads to not practicing safety precautions. They will share needles between each other. Dirty needles can carry dangerous blood-borne illnesses, like hepatitis C, AIDS, or HIV.
In addition, heroin gives users a feeling of euphoria and increased well-being, and they will not practice safe sex. Heroin addicts are therefore at an increased risk of contracting and spreading STIs.
Heroin use among young adults is rising, the effects on the individual, their family, and society-at-large are devastating. Recovered addicts may experience long-term, adverse health consequences related to their drug use. The sooner they can seek treatment and heal, the less likely they are to experience lifelong, damaging effects of heroin use.
With a medical detox facility, addicts can safely withdraw from the drug. The medical staff is on-call 24/7 to help them with painful and distressing symptoms. Addicts can be prescribed legal drugs to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms, and this will, in turn, lower their risk of relapse.
After safely detoxing, people in recovery can receive supportive treatment from trained therapists in an inpatient or outpatient facility. With time, support, and determination, people can go on to make a lifelong recovery from heroin addiction.
Heroin use has recently exploded within our country. The men who find themselves dependent on this drug never thought it could happen to them. Or, at least they believed they could handle the drug’s addictive effects. An addiction treatment program at Windward Way can help you or someone you care about get off heroin for good.
Some of the early signs of heroin addiction include:
- Constantly scratches the skin. Heroin use makes the skin itch.
- Needle marks on the skin if the person is injecting.
- Pupils in the eyes get very small.
- The person often seems sleepy, or paradoxically “wired” and energetic.
- The drug abuser is always short of money, and begs, borrows, or steals to sustain his habit.
- Damaged work or family relationships.