What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an opiate, and one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs that quickly causes a physical and mental dependency. People take it to get a sense of calm or relief, which only lasts a few minutes. A user’s tolerance to Heroin quickly rises, so an individual will have to take more to achieve the desired effect, which puts them at a higher risk of an overdose. Heroin is so addictive that 1 in 4 people who try it get hooked. Heroin addiction can very quickly take control over every aspect of your life, changing the type of person you are, your relationships and how others view you.
Opiate use in the United States has become an epidemic, with rates of use doubling in the past decade for people aged 18-25. People can snort, smoke, or inject it. Intravenous heroin use is the most dangerous as it is the easiest way to overdose and catch communicable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.
Short and Long Term Effects of Heroin Addiction
One of the reasons why seeking heroin addiction treatment is so vital is because of its short and long-term impacts on a person’s health. In the short-term, heroin use can cause symptoms like:
- Excessive sleepiness
- Vomiting
- Itching
- Changes in breathing and heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- A sense of weightiness to one’s limbs
In addition, heroin use can have serious long-term effects on your health, including:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Problems with bowel movements
- Sexual dysfunction
- Mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and antisocial behavior
- Changes in menstrual cycles
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, seek out heroin addiction treatment from one of the heroin rehab centers near you. The heroin rehab program at Profound is a perfect option if you’re looking for heroin addiction rehab treatment in Los Angeles.
Heroin Overdose Risk
Another reason why getting heroin addiction treatment is so urgent is because of heroin’s high overdose risk. In 2020, over 13,000 people died from a heroin overdose, many of whom failed to seek any form of heroin treatment.