Risk factors
Certain factors such as previous addictions can put people at risk for becoming addicted to heroin.
Signs and symptoms
Chronic use of heroin leads to physical dependence, which means the user suffers severe symptoms of withdrawal after reducing or stopping heroin use. Signs of heroin use in others may include behavior changes, mood swings, weight changes, and needle marks in their arms.
Treatment
Treatments for heroin addiction range from behavioral therapies to medications that reduce cravings or prevent the drug from having an effect.
Heroin has touched people from all walks of life. Across ages, across income levels, and across the nation, heroin does not discriminate. Many new heroin users turn to heroin after opioid painkillers become too expensive or too difficult to get. Some people are looking for another way to escape pain or seek pleasure. No matter how heroin enters a life, recovery is possible.
If you or someone you know is using opioids, you should carry naloxone, a medication that can safely reverse the toxic effects of an overdose. Learn more.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug: 23 percent of people who use heroin become dependent on it. But some people are more likely than others to develop problems with heroin — or problems with drugs in general. The following factors can elevate the risk for developing a heroin addiction:
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CloseThe difference between heroin use and heroin addiction can be tricky to navigate. But the following symptoms may indicate that a user is experiencing addiction:
Problems with heroin can extend beyond addiction alone. When heroin interferes with a user’s ability to manage everyday life, it may be time to consider making a change. Heroin can interfere with:
If you’re concerned about your heroin use or use by a loved one, there are a variety of treatment options to help users take control. Find local support to start your recovery. If you’re looking for rehab in Florida, compare accredited centers in Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, North Florida, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.
Worrying about someone in your life using heroin can be scary. You may feel that they have distanced themselves from you, and you’re uncomfortable asking about their drug use outright. They may have said they are not using, but you feel something is off. If someone you know is exhibiting any of the following signs, it could signal heroin use:
If you’re worried about someone you know, you can learn about how to encourage a heroin user to seek treatment. Remember that recovery is a process, but heroin treatment has been effective for many people.
Heroin addiction is not about willpower. People who use heroin often report feeling sick when they’re not using — and they may feel like they need heroin to feel normal. But what feels like sickness may be symptoms of withdrawal. Heroin withdrawal symptoms follow a general timeline, lasting about five to 10 days after the last dose, but symptoms will be most acute around day three. People in withdrawal may feel:
These symptoms can range from uncomfortable to acute, and many people find it very difficult to get through the withdrawal cycle without a medical professional guiding them through. The pain and emotions may be intense enough to make people act out of character or put them at risk of suicide or self-harm — but nobody needs to go through it alone.
Many people find it difficult to escape the cycle of using heroin to get rid of withdrawal symptoms. But various types of treatment can help people cope with these symptoms — and start the recovery journey.
Every day, people find the support they need to quit using heroin. Taking that first step is the most important part of a journey toward taking control of heroin use.
A health care provider can help a heroin user figure out what combination of treatments will be most effective, based on the patient’s lifestyle, medical history, and current use. Different types of facilities — such as hospitals, detox facilities, rehabilitation centers, and doctors’ offices — may have different procedures for the first appointment. But in all initial appointments, it’s important for patients to talk openly about their heroin use so the clinician has the information needed to recommend a path for treatment and recovery.
The first appointment will likely include:
The health care provider may request additional tests to better understand the patient's physical health and explore any concerns related to a treatment plan.
Finally, the patient and doctor will work together to build a treatment plan based on the patient's goals and lifestyle. Some patients may be asked to sign an agreement to adhere to the treatment plan.
The first few heroin-free days can be the most difficult part of the recovery process. But working with a therapist and medical health professional can ease some of the mental and physical symptoms of withdrawal from heroin. While some providers may include detoxification as part of their program, others may partner with other facilities for this stage of the recovery process.
Several medications can help manage heroin cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Called "medication-assisted treatment” (or MAT), the use of any medication to manage heroin cravings or withdrawal must be supervised by a medical professional. A doctor or therapist may prescribe:
While medication can help manage cravings, a combination of medication, therapy, and support networks have been most successful in supporting patients on their journey to recovery.
Behavioral therapy for problems with heroin comes in many forms, including individual and group therapy. Different types of therapy work better for different people, so take a look at general drug treatment to review a full list of therapy types.
Heroin treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Recovery is a lifelong process, and making sure that treatment fits with a patient’s lifestyle and expectations can lay the foundation for success. Some people have found that building the following activities into their lives can help them on the road to recovery:
Community groups
People in recovery may find it helpful to connect with a group of people who can relate to their experience and help them manage challenges in the recovery process. Joining a free group like SMART Recovery or Narcotics Anonymous can provide a space to vent about concerns, find inspiration to keep going, and use the recovery experience to help others.
Healthy habits
Staying physically fit can keep people who are in recovery mentally prepared for the ups and downs of life without heroin. Some studies suggest that exercise can even reduce the body’s physical dependence on drugs like heroin. Joining an activity that helps maintain fitness or learning to cook healthy foods can increase a sense of well-being, building new goals and priorities into a recovering patient’s lifestyle.
Continued individual therapy
Stopping heroin use is a great first step, but it’s part of a longer journey. Continuing individual therapy can help people work through long-term mental health issues, manage emotions, and process the ups and downs of a drug-free life. Continued treatment may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), mental health counseling, and learning coping strategies like behavioral therapy and contingency management.