Heroin

Heroin is a chemically created opiate drug that is one of the most addictive drugs on the market. Heroin is created from morphine and can be found in a few different forms, a white or brown powder or sometimes a black sticky substance, oftentimes referred to as “black tar heroin.” Heroin can be abused in multiple ways, injected, smoked or snorted. All methods can lead to addiction and severe damage and harm to the body.

How Does Heroin Affect the Brain?

Heroin primarily affects the brain as it converts to morphine in the body and bonds to the same receptors that all opiates affect. These receptors are associated with many different functions in the body and make Heroin use and overuse very dangerous as it can affect respiratory problems and blood pressure. Heroin OD’s often can lead to suffocation and instant death. Heroin use, like most opiates, result in euphoric feeling followed by a drowsy sleepy feeling. Regular Heroin use creates a tolerance in the body, requiring increased use and doses to achieve the same feeling. This makes the addiction to Heroin much more difficult to break and makes the withdrawal symptoms much more severe.

Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction

There has been a lot of research and money that has gone into finding different ways to treat Heroin Addiction. A combination of medication and behavioral therapy has proven to be the best course to a successful recovery and minimizes the chance of relapse. Each addiction case is unique and a comprehensive treatment plan founded in the 12 steps is a proven way to help overcome the heroin addiction. There are a number of prescription medications that have proven to be effective in battling the addiction in conjunction with a therapy and treatment plan. Methadone, Clonidine, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone have all been used effectively to help in the treatment of heroin addiction, but each case is unique and not everything works for everyone.

Archstone Recovery has the facilities necessary to create the perfect environment to optimize the chance for recovery from Heroin addiction. The professionals at Archstone Recovery know that each case is unique and works with the patient to create the best plan to aid in their success. Archstone Recovery knows that many patients are coming from an emotional experience, either a counseling session or a family Intervention and work to make the transition as smooth as possible.