Withdrawal Causes
Causes of heroin withdrawal
Even though the dangers of heroin use are widely known, it remains a popular substance of abuse throughout the world. With its highly addictive properties, even experimentation with this drug can cause individuals to fall into a torturous cycle of heroin abuse and addiction. As the compulsion to use heroin continues, an individual’s body will become tolerant to its presence, meaning that he or she will require greater quantities of it in order to experience the effects that are desired. Once this tolerance has formed, and individuals continually increase the amount of heroin that they consume, a dependency on the substance will likely develop. This means that their bodies can no longer function as they once did unless they have ingested heroin.
Due to this physical dependency, if an individual attempts to stop using heroin, his or her body will go into what could be considered a state of shock as it tries to readjust to the way it functioned prior to the use of heroin. This is known as a period of withdrawal and it can be extremely uncomfortable, and even painful, and often leads people back to the use of the drug in order to alleviate that distress.
Withdrawal Signs
Signs of heroin withdrawal
The particular symptoms that can arise when an individual is withdrawing from heroin can vary depending on the amount of the substance being consumed, the frequency of that consumption, and the length of time that has spanned since the first consumption. Examples of possible heroin withdrawal symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shallow or slowed breathing
- Increased bodily temperature
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Bone pain
- Drowsiness
- Seizures
- Excessive sweating
- Changes in mood
- Muscle cramping
- Overpowering cravings
If any of these symptoms are displayed by an individual who has a history of abusing heroin, it should be viewed as a warning sign that he or she is experiencing withdrawal and should receive a medical intervention as soon as possible to prevent him or her from using the drug once again.
Why Seek Treatment?
Why seek treatment for heroin addiction near Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
If an addiction to heroin persists, all facets of an individual’s life can be negatively impacted in a number of ways. When an addiction is present, it typically becomes an individual’s top priority, meaning that acquiring the substance, consuming it, and then recovering from its use will take precedence over all aspects of his or her life. As a result, countless problems can arise. Relationships can become tainted, leading to lost friendships, marital discord, and possibly even divorce. Child custody may also be lost as individuals fail to take responsibility for their children’s well-being in order to focus on their heroin use. Careers can crumble as being high on heroin can prevent individuals from attending work or can cause them to no longer perform to the expected standard while in attendance. This has the potential to result in job loss or demotion, both of which could lead to financial turmoil.
Furthermore, one’s physical and mental well-being can be significantly impacted as well. Anxiety, depression, and paranoia can affect those who abuse heroin. For those who consume the drug intravenously, they place themselves at risk for contracting devastating viruses like HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. Clogged blood vessels, organ damage, stroke, seizures, cognitive impairment, and heart attack have also been known to result from chronic heroin use. The longer that the abuse of heroin persists, the more susceptible individuals are to experiencing an overdose on the substance, which has the potential to be fatal. Additionally, the use of heroin often forces individuals to experience suicidal ideation and engage in suicidal behaviors as they feel helpless to overcome their strife.
For these reasons and more, it is imperative that anyone who is struggling with an addiction to heroin receive professional treatment in order to put an end to their compulsion to use this detrimental substance. At our heroin addiction rehab center near Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota, we recognize how incredibly difficult it is to confront heroin abuse, and we applaud those who take the first step in doing so by seeking out treatment. We treat each individual who is entrusted into our care with the respect and dignity that he or she deserves, ensuring that he or she feels encouraged and supported as the road to recovery begins. At our addiction treatment center, all individuals are afforded individualized treatment plans so that each person’s specific needs are addressed, concerns are overcome, and goals are achieved.
If you or someone you love is battling an addiction to heroin, please do not hesitate to contact the compassionate staff at Burkwood Treatment Center today. Here, a better tomorrow can begin today.
