Heroin Rehab in Florida
It is a sad fact that few in need of recovery from a substance use disorder actually get the help they need. Quality heroin addiction treatment begins with the selection of a licensed facility with an established reputation for achieving high success rates. At our Lake Worth drug rehab, we offer individualized addiction recovery services that account for the physical, mental, and spiritual damage left in the wake of years of heroin abuse. Our facility is designed to help all who struggle with this disease fully overcome it and start over.
Facts About Heroin
Heroin is a type of opioid that’s made from morphine, making it extremely dangerous and highly addictive. As the opioid epidemic continues to unfold, heroin addiction has grown to be one of the worst health crises in the history of the United States. In 2018, the number of heroin-related overdose deaths was seven times higher than it was in 1999, with nearly a third of all opioid deaths involving heroin.1
From urban street corners to rural farms and suburban neighborhoods, the scourge of this addiction has caused untold damage to millions of American families. The problem has only been worsening since the turn of the century, as individuals moved from opioid painkiller addictions to heroin abuse because of affordability and availability.
Why Is Heroin So Addictive?
Heroin is an extremely addictive drug due to its effects on the brain's reward system. When someone takes this drug, it quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into morphine. Morphine then binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which are responsible for regulating pain and feelings of pleasure. This results in a flood of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, being released into the brain. The surge of dopamine creates an intense rush of euphoria and a sense of well-being that is highly addictive.
Repeated use can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Over time, the brain's reward system becomes less responsive to natural rewards like food, sex, and social interaction, and instead becomes increasingly reliant on heroin to release dopamine. This leads to cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behavior, even in the face of negative consequences like the loss of relationships, employment, and physical health. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms can be excruciatingly painful and unpleasant, making it difficult for individuals to stop using the drug even if they want to. In summary, heroin's ability to hijack the brain's reward system and create a cycle of dependence and craving is what makes it so addictive.
Heroin Addiction Symptoms
Similar to other opiates like fentanyl, heroin has a high potential for abuse. It attacks the brain’s limbic system, taking over its reward system and ability to manage pain. As the addiction worsens, users may begin to show signs of heroin abuse, including:
- Drug paraphernalia (needles, foil, spoons, metal pipes, belts)
- Needle tracks or markings on their arms or legs
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Pinpoint pupils
- Itching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Irritability
- Loss of consciousness
Heroin addiction may also cause behavioral changes. The individual may lose interest in hobbies or things they once enjoyed. They may also be more secretive and will begin to isolate themselves from others. A person who abuses drugs may also turn to theft to feed their addiction. Heroin is an extremely manipulative substance, taking a mental and physical hold over a person that may only be broken through the intervention of trained recovery professionals.
More Than Just Heroin Detox
Effective addiction care includes a heroin withdrawal treatment at the BHOPB detox center, which aims to limit and treat uncomfortable and painful withdrawal symptoms. It also requires an in-depth examination of mental and physical health and an individualized course of care that meets an addict’s specific recovery needs. In many cases, people seeking treatment for heroin addiction may also require psychological counseling, life skills training, nutritional guidance, and a wealth of holistic treatment for drug addiction that can begin reversing the damage caused by the abuse.
One of the most critical errors made by low-quality heroin treatment centers and individuals attempting to self-rehab is focusing solely on detoxification. Although a medical detox is necessary to help patients safely recover from withdrawal symptoms, only focusing on detoxing from heroin is ineffective. While detoxing the body from drugs is an essential first step in recovery, it only addresses the physical aspects of addiction. At our Banyan Lake Worth rehab, we guide our patients into the next phase of the rehabilitation process following the completion of a medically monitored detox.
Our heroin addiction help includes:
- Medically-Supervised Detox
- Mental Health Treatment
- Holistic Therapies
- Physiological Therapies
- Group Therapies
- Activity-Based Therapies
- Animal-Assisted Therapies
- Addiction Education
- Family Programs
- 24-Hour Medical Care
- Relapse Prevention Services
- Extensive Aftercare Services
Why Choose Our Heroin Rehab Center?
Heroin abuse destroys marriages, breaks up families, ends careers, leads to financial ruin, and all too often ends in overdose or even death. If you or a loved one is struggling with such an addiction, it is imperative that you seek help immediately. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches is a scenic and accredited South Florida addiction facility that is committed to the health and well-being of its patients.
Our dedicated staff of trained and licensed professionals strives to create a safe and comfortable environment where our clients can receive effective addiction treatment. We guide our patients’ journeys from addiction to recovery, overseeing every step of the process. Patients can transition from rehab to everyday life with the tools needed to sustain their sobriety. Without our help, the heroin addiction treatment process may be more difficult and sobriety less likely.
Heroin is one of the strongest and most harmful narcotics on the market and poses a number of risks to various aspects of a person’s life. The more well-known psychological symptoms, such as hallucinations, are not the only concerns that a user needs to worry about. Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches delves into the physical effects of heroin use, exploring the intricate ways in which this illicit drug alters the brain, compromises vital bodily functions, and undermines overall health. Our goal is to shed light on these significant physiological alterations, promoting a better understanding of the risks associated with heroin use and actively supporting ongoing prevention and treatment efforts aimed at countering its negative effects.
What Does Heroin Feel Like Physically?
Depending on the individual, the amount, and the route of administration, the physical effects of heroin use can vary. The main effects of heroin are a deep sense of drowsiness and relaxation. Users frequently express feeling as though they are enveloped in a warm blanket as their entire body is heavy and nice. Due to heroin's analgesic effects, this bodily relaxation is accompanied by a noticeable decrease in pain sensitivity. Many people describe a dulling or numbing sensation in which both physical and emotional anguish vanishes.
Another prevalent bodily sensation connected with heroin usage is a pervasive feeling of warmth and exhilaration. Heroin increases dopamine production in the brain, which produces tremendous pleasure and a deep sense of well-being. A joyful and euphoric mood is frequently described by users as being accompanied by waves of great pleasure that travel throughout their bodies. This feeling is frequently characterized as a "rush" or a "wave" that comes over them and instills a sense of tranquility and contentment.
But in addition to its wonderful physical benefits, heroin also causes a number of unpleasant emotions. Heavy limbs, a sense of lethargy, and severe sleepiness are a few examples of these. The physical discomfort linked to heroin usage can also be increased by constipation that can result from using the substance.
Heroin Physical Effects to Be Aware Of
The euphoria and elation experienced by heroin users are some of the more common symptoms of this type of drug abuse. This can be attributed to the substance’s impact on the central nervous system and perceptions of pain. Sadly, abusing heroin can lead to a slew of other damaging side effects to the body, some of which can have lasting effects.
The negative physical effects of heroin include:
- Respiratory depression
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe drowsiness
- Tiny, restricted pupils
- Weakened immune system
- Skin irritation
- Hormonal imbalances
- Liver and kidney damage
It is worth noting that the severity of these symptoms will depend on a number of contributing factors, including the user’s physical faculties (weight, immune health, age), the duration of the substance abuse, and whether it was combined with any other drugs. This makes identifying an addiction to heroin extremely important, giving the individual struggling the ability to get the help they need via therapy and treatment. If left unaddressed, it can escalate into severe and even life-threatening problems.
Addressing Heroin Abuse at Our Lake Worth Drug Rehab
For those who are ready to break away from the control that heroin has on them, our BHOPB detox center offers a heroin withdrawal program that can make the process far more manageable. From here, patients can access some of the best heroin addiction treatment in Lake Worth, giving them a sincere chance at overcoming the hold that the substance has on them.
Call our Banyan Lake Worth rehab at 561-220-3981 to learn how our team of professionals can aid you or a loved one in overcoming an addiction to heroin. Contact us today and get the help you need to begin reclaiming control of your life. It could be the best decision you ever make for yourself or someone close to you.
Source:
- CDC- Heroin Overdose Data
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