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Risk Factors Of Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Many people worldwide are affected by heroin dependence and addiction. It’s a concerning problem, and there are devastating consequences for people who use heroin.
The drug can cause severe problems with a person’s health, and continuous substance abuse can also negatively affect their relationship with others.
A person addicted to heroin will experience different withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit the drug. Let’s take a closer look at heroin and what one may experience when they stop using it.
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What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid drug derived from morphine. It’s a dangerous substance that comes from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.
The drug comes in white or brown powder or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Most heroin users inject the drug, but it can also be snorted or smoked. The way a person takes heroin significantly impacts the drug’s intensity as well as its associated risks.
Heroin is a highly addictive substance, and just one use can lead a person to keep using it. This is one of the reasons why it is classified as a Schedule I drug. A Schedule I drug is a highly addictive substance or medication that has increased potential for abuse and has no FDA-approved medical use in the United States.
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Heroin Use
According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there are about 1.1 million people (ages 12 and older) in the US who reported using heroin in the past 12 months.
Many reasons contribute to why people use this drug:
- Euphoric effects: Heroin produces a short-term high that can be addicting since it produces intense feelings of euphoria.
- Pain relief:Heroin is considered an opioid, making it a potent pain reliever. Many people who abuse this drug continue using it to manage physical or emotional pain.
- Stress relief: Many people who engage in drug abuse use substances to temporarily get away from the stressful problems in their real lives. Since heroin can alleviate stress and anxiety, people abuse the drug for escapism.
- Peer pressure: If people are in an environment where heroin use is prevalent, they are also more likely to abuse the drug. Some may give in to using heroin as a way to fit in.
Effects Of Heroin
Heroin has both short-term and long-term effects. It’s a powerful drug that can affect a person’s overall health and behavior.
The effects of the drug may also vary, depending on the strength of the dose and a person’s overall health.
Short-term effects of heroin use include:
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Drop in body temperature
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Narrowed pupils
- Suppressed breathing
- Decreased sex drive (in long-term use)
Even a single use of heroin can lead to cravings, making a person abuse heroin repeatedly. Repeated heroin use can lead to the following long-term effects:
- Changes in the brain’s physical structure
- Addiction and tolerance
- Higher risk of infectious diseases from sharing needles
- Collapsed veins and abscesses
- Lung damage and respiratory infections
- Mental health issues
- Withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit the drug
- Decreased sex drive
Signs And Symptoms Of Heroin Use
A person addicted to heroin will show different signs and symptoms that indicate they’re dependent on the drug. These will manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Constricted pupils from heroin binding to opioid receptors in the brain
- Slurred speech and difficulty speaking clearly
- Changes in appetite, such as loss of appetite or increased cravings
- Impaired coordination and difficulty with motor skills
- Needle marks or skin infections from injecting drugs
- Isolating and withdrawing from social activities to use heroin
- Sudden changes in mood and inability to regulate mood
- Running into legal and financial trouble to obtain drugs
- Changes in appearance, such as poor hygiene and extreme weight loss
Risk Factors For Heroin Use
Although heroin addiction can affect anyone, certain factors make a person more susceptible to abusing heroin.
For example, genetic factors contribute significantly to heroin addiction vulnerability. Studies show that a family history of heroin use can account for 40-60% of the risk. In addition, recent studies have isolated a specific gene that increases the risk of heroin addiction, particularly in males.
Underlying mental health issues may also increase the risk of using the drug since people may abuse heroin to escape from their emotions. This goes the same for those with a history of trauma or abuse.
People who live in environments where heroin is easily accessible may also have a higher potential of abusing the drug.
Complications
Several complications come with long-term use of heroin. People who use the drug are at a higher risk for blood-borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C due to needle sharing. Heroin also affects the central nervous system and can lead to problems with memory, attention, and decision-making.
Overdose
Overdose is one of the most dangerous complications of using heroin. A heroin overdose happens when a person takes too much of the drug, and the brain is unable to cope with its effects.
The risk of an overdose is higher when a person mixes heroin with other substances. It’s important to recognize the physical symptoms of an overdose, such as unresponsiveness, slowed breathing, and tremors, to seek immediate help.
If you suspect someone is experiencing a heroin overdose, call emergency services immediately and administer naloxone if available. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal symptoms happen when a person addicted or dependent on the drug tries to quit using it. Since their bodies can’t function properly without heroin, they will experience unpleasant symptoms as they cope with the drug’s absence.
Withdrawal symptoms will vary per person, and it’s going to be worse in people who have been taking large doses of the drug for a long time.
These symptoms typically begin a few hours after the last use and can last for a few days or weeks. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Flu-like symptoms like muscle aches, chills, and a fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling restless and anxious
- Intense mood swings
- Sleep problems like insomnia
- Intense cravings for the drug
Withdrawal Management
Proper withdrawal management is crucial when quitting heroin. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and life-threatening without professional oversight.
The most common way to manage withdrawal symptoms from heroin use is through medical detox. Medical detox is when medical professionals monitor a patient’s vital signs and address potential complications throughout the process.
For mild symptoms, hydration is crucial to address the loss of body fluids through sweating and diarrhea. Supplements such as vitamins B and C are also given to support rapid recovery. The cornerstone of the management of heroin withdrawal involves the utilization of clonidine and buprenorphine. Clonidine addresses physical withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, stomach upset, insomnia, and tremors, whereas buprenorphine alleviates withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings. Both medications are used in the treatment of moderate to severe opioid withdrawal symptoms.
During medical detox, healthcare professionals can also prescribe medications to help patients manage cravings. One of the most common drugs prescribed during heroin detox is methadone. Methadone is commonly used in people with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and it works by acting on opioid receptors in the brain.
Co-Occurring Disorders
A co-occurring disorder is when substance abuse and mental health disorders happen at the same time. This is fairly common, but it’s a type of disorder that needs special treatment.
When a person suffers from a co-occurring disorder, it’s important to treat the addiction and co-occurring mental health issues simultaneously. Using an integrated treatment program that incorporates a holistic approach can increase the chance of a long-term recovery.
Prescription Opioids And Heroin Addiction
Some people with a heroin addiction already have a history of abusing prescription opioids. These include drugs like oxycodone and morphine, which are opioids prescribed to manage pain.
While using prescription opioids is generally safe, people who don’t use them as directed can lead to dependence.
When a person is addicted to or dependent on prescription opioids, they may turn to heroin when they find it difficult to obtain or afford them.
Heroin can produce the same similar pain-relieving effects as prescription opioids. However, the drug is more potent and unpredictable in strength, which makes using heroin more dangerous.
Synthetic Opioids And Heroin Addiction
Synthetic opioids like Fentanyl are also used in medical settings. They mimic the same effects as prescription opioids, providing pain relief for patients. However, synthetic opioids are very potent. Healthcare professionals will only give a small dose of these drugs when other pain medications don’t work well enough.
A person who abuses synthetic opioids is at a very high risk of overdose. Since a tiny amount of this drug can be deadly, it’s crucial to avoid using them recreationally.
There are also cases wherein street heroin has been mixed with synthetic opioids. Using synthetic opioids outside a medical setting, especially when combined with substances like heroin, can have devastating and potentially fatal consequences.
When To Seek Professional Treatment
The first sign of dependence on heroin already indicates the time for professional treatment. Even a single use of this drug can lead to addiction, and it’s better to seek professional treatment sooner rather than later. Early interventions can make a significant difference in a person’s recovery journey.
A person may need to seek professional treatment for substance abuse if they:
- Experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or quit heroin
- Need a larger dose of heroin or opioids to achieve their desired effect
- Have tried quitting heroin multiple times but have always failed
- Start getting into legal or financial trouble because of heroin use
- Have strained their relationships or abandoned their responsibilities to keep using heroin
We Can Help With Opioid Withdrawal
At Resilient Recovery, we offer medically supervised detox for clients struggling with opioid abuse. Our team knows that this is a very challenging time, so we’ll be here with you every step of the way.
If needed, we use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to ensure your safety and comfort during detox. Resilient Recovery will also provide a personalized treatment plan for the best path to recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and how we can help.
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