The opioid epidemic has swept through our nation at an alarming rate. Opioids are drugs that impact the nervous system by blocking pain and creating feelings of euphoria. There are many drugs involved in the opioid epidemic, but because it is inexpensive to purchase and very easy to find, heroin is the most commonly abused opioid. If you or someone you know is addicted to heroin, you know how powerful it is. The safest and most effective way to recover from heroin addiction is to seek help from a heroin addiction treatment program.
Understanding the Risks of Heroin Addiction
Heroin works by attaching to opioid receptors, releasing a rush of dopamine that creates an almost instant feeling of extreme pleasure. Every time you use heroin, your tolerance increases, meaning that you need higher and higher doses to attain the same effects. Unbeknownst to the user, heroin is often laced with fentanyl, which increases the risk for overdose and death.
Despite intensive efforts to educate the public about heroin, there remain many misconceptions about who uses heroin. The simple fact is that heroin addiction knows no boundaries and affects people of all walks of life. Many people turn to heroin to manage chronic pain, not understanding that they can develop physical dependence and tolerance after just one use. Others rely on heroin to get relief from the psychological pain of trauma.
Research shows that heroin use has dramatically increased in men and women across all age groups and income levels in recent years. There are many short-term and long-term effects of heroin addiction, including:
- Semiconsciousness
- Heart and lung infections
- Liver and kidney damage
- Damaged or collapsed veins
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps and constipation
- Bacterial infections and abscesses
- HIV and Hepatitis B or C
Heroin addiction also commonly contributes to relationship issues, financial instability, unemployment, homelessness, and legal problems. Most who suffer from heroin addiction are aware of its risks to their well-being. However, the physical and psychological dependencies that heroin addiction creates are so powerful that it is nearly impossible to break the cycle of addiction without professional help from a heroin treatment program.
The Benefits of Heroin Addiction Treatment
Few people can combat heroin addiction without professional intervention. To work successfully, heroin addiction treatment requires involvement in a heroin addiction treatment program. At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we offer a comprehensive assessment and intervention to determine the best course of treatment. Patients can participate in one or more of the following:
- Partial hospitalization program Washington
- Intensive outpatient program Spokane WA
- Spokane Washington Substance Abuse Treatment
Through participation in heroin addiction treatment, you will gain insight into your addiction that will help you understand it better. With this knowledge, you will be more prepared to recognize your risk factors and triggers. In addition, your treatment program will help:
- Break the cycle of addiction
- Discover underlying factors that led to addiction
- Develop coping strategies and new habits
- Learn about relapse prevention
- Receive therapy for past trauma
- Learn how to ask for help when you are in crisis
- Learn how to redirect negative thinking
Heroin addiction does not have to define your life. When you have completed heroin detox, let the experienced clinicians at Spokane Falls Recovery Center help guide you through the next phases of treatment.
If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step towards lasting recovery, it’s time to reach out to Spokane Falls Recovery Center. Our team is ready to help you through the insurance verification process and admissions process. For questions, please contact Spokane Falls Recovery Center today at 844.962.2772. We’re ready to make this process as easy as possible so you can begin treatment and start living a healthier, fuller life.