Heroin Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment Resources

If someone takes more heroin than the body can handle, an overdose can occur. Heroin is a powerful opioid that can depress the central nervous system with life-threatening complications. The risk of overdose is high because of the potency of illicitly produced heroin.

Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Overdose

The signs and symptoms of a heroin overdose may include:

• Slow or shallow breathing
• Cyanosis, or blue lips and nails from lack of oxygen
• Confusion or disorientation
• Lack of responsiveness
• Pinpoint pupils
• Weak pulse
• Loss of consciousness

What to do if you suspect someone is overdosing on heroin:

A heroin overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately and administer naloxone, which can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose while you wait for emergency medical services. Wait with the person until the medical team arrives.

Long-term heroin abuse can have severe consequences for physical and mental health. Some of the dangers include:

• Physical health problems involving the vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system
• Tolerance, which means the body adjusted to the drug and requires higher doses
• Drug dependence, which can produce withdrawal symptoms when the drug is reduced or stopped
• Addiction
• Mental health disorders like depression or anxiety
• Respiratory problems like bronchitis and pneumonia
• Cognitive impairment and effects to memory and decision making
• An increased risk of overdose
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Collapsed veins with injection
• Hormonal imbalances

Mixing heroin with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit substances, can increase the risks and dangers associated with its use. combining heroin with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose, but heroin with stimulants like methamphetamine can put excessive strain on the cardiovascular system.

Interactions between different drugs can produce unpredictable effects, making it difficult for people to anticipate the effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain and body, producing powerful and fast-acting euphoria. The addictive properties of heroin are due to its effects on the brain’s reward system, which reinforces its use.

The potential for dependence and addiction with heroin is significant because of its effects on the brain and the release of dopamine, a pleasurable neurotransmitter that produces intense feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

Recognizing the heroin addiction symptoms is crucial for early intervention and getting help. Here are some of the common signs of heroin addiction:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Poor hygiene and appearance
• Social withdrawal
• Giving up on hobbies or interests
• Track marks or drug paraphernalia
• Financial problems
• Lying and secrecy
• Mood swings
• Depression or anxiety
• Irritability
• Poor work or academic performance
• Frequent absences
• Weight loss
• Respiratory problems

Heroin addiction is a complex condition that often requires comprehensive and tailored treatment to address withdrawal, physical dependence, and the underlying causes of addiction. Treatment can be provided through multiple levels of care tailored to the individual, which may include:

• Medical detox: Detox is often the initial phase of treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and provide medically supervised support to make the experience as safe and comfortable as possible.
• Inpatient treatment: Inpatient heroin addiction treatment offers 24/7 care and support in a structured environment. This may include therapy, counseling, and other treatments to address the psychological aspects of addiction.
• Outpatient: Outpatient treatment provides ongoing therapy and support in a less intensive setting. People can attend scheduled treatment sessions while managing their daily responsibilities to work, school, or family.
• Aftercare: After completing formal treatment, aftercare offers ongoing resources, counseling, and community connections to support long-term recovery.

Heroin addiction treatment typically involves a combination of behavioral therapies, counseling, and support services designed to address the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. Common therapies for heroin addiction treatment may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Somatic experiencing
• Experiential therapy
• Nutritional counseling
• Group therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
• Outdoor recreation

Co-occurring disorders refer to the presence of a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Heroin addiction often co-occurs with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. For treatment to be successful with co-occurring disorders, both conditions – and their influence on one another – must be treated simultaneously.