Imagine a day where you wake up feeling truly free.
Free from the chaos of heroin cravings, free from the weight of hiding, free from the fear of what comes next. Right now, it might seem like heroin has robbed you of your ability to feel peace, but with the right support, you can write yourself a new chapter.
Heroin is a powerful opioid made from morphine, and its effects are especially appealing. However, people who use heroin are at a high risk for overdose or death because they don’t know its strength or what it has been cut with. In 2022, there were 1,927 opioid overdose deaths among Arizona residents. Most of these deaths were unintentional.
If heroin is something that’s taking control of your life, Wolf Creek Recovery can help. Our staff is in recovery, so we can relate to what you are feeling. We are here for you, and we will teach you the tools you need to not only overcome heroin use disorder but also rebuild your life.
Let’s learn more about the short-term and long-term effects of heroin, what it does to the brain and body, and what types of treatments are available.
Heroin Side Effects
Once heroin enters the brain, it is converted to morphine, rapidly binding to opioid receptors. This is why people typically feel a rush of pleasure when taking the substance. The pleasurable sensation is often followed by skin flushing, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the arms and legs. After these initial effects wear off, it’s normal to feel tired for several hours.
Not all side effects from heroin are pleasurable, however. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, and severe itching. In some cases, the heart and lungs can slow to life-threatening levels, which is how overdose can occur.
What Heroin Does to the Brain
Heroin has a profound effect on the brain, impacting its structure and function. As mentioned earlier, heroin binds to and activates opioid receptors in the brain. Binding to opioid receptors causes the release of dopamine, which is specifically related with pleasure and reward. This release is what causes the initial euphoria or “high” associated with heroin use.
There are also changes that happen in the brain that you can’t see or feel. For instance, regular heroin use alters the brain’s physical structure and physiology, rewiring the brain’s reward system. This tricks the brain into thinking that heroin is more rewarding than other activities. Things like eating, having sex, or exercising don’t feel as good as they used to. Chronic heroin use also impacts the prefrontal cortex, leading to impaired decision-making capabilities.
Furthermore, the brain learns to adapt to having heroin in its system, diminishing its sensitivity to the substance (tolerance). This means that higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects, and normal functioning may be difficult without the substance.
What Are the Effects of Heroin Use?
Heroin carries physical, psychological, and social effects. Physically, heroin use can lead to cardiovascular issues, respiratory problems, and other health issues. If you develop a physical dependence on heroin, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when heroin leaves your body, such as muscle and bone pain, restlessness, and insomnia. These symptoms can make it difficult to quit.
Psychologically, heroin can deteriorate your ability to think, reason, and remember information. It can also lead to increased impulsivity, reduced self-control, and difficulty experiencing pleasure from everyday activities. Regular heroin use may also raise the risk for mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or antisocial personality disorder.
Socially, engaging in heroin use often leads to withdrawal from family and friends since using the substance takes up a lot of time. Maintaining this habit can also be expensive, leading to financial strain, job loss, and potential legal consequences. Due to mistrust and broken promises, relationships often suffer.
Short-Term Effects: What Heroin Does to the Body
The short-term effects of heroin start almost immediately after taking the substance and include:
- Euphoria
- Warm flushing of the skin
- Dry mouth
- Heavy feeling in extremities
- Clouded mental functioning
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe itching
- Drowsiness/Nodding off
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
Long-Term Effects: What Heroin Does to the Body
Long-term use of heroin can lead to severe and often irreversible damage, affecting nearly all systems in the body. Effects that can develop over time are:
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Cardiovascular problems
- Liver and kidney disease
- Infectious diseases
- Dental and oral health issues
- Malnutrition and weight loss
- Altered pain perception
Heroin Use and Withdrawal
Another negative consequence of regular heroin use is the potential for heroin use disorder. This disorder can form through a complex interplay of physiological, psychological, and social factors. Early heroin use is often due to curiosity, peer pressure, or an attempt to numb physical or emotional pain. The pleasurable effects from heroin can be extremely appealing, however.
With repeated use, the body can develop a tolerance to heroin, needing more of the substance to achieve desirable effects. As tolerance builds, so does physical dependence. The body starts to adapt to having heroin in its system. It’s the “new normal,” so to speak. Without the substance, the body begins to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as muscle and bone pain, sleep problems, restlessness, and sweating.
- Muscle and bone pain
- Sleep problems
- Restlessness
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes
- Severe cramping
- Excessive sweating
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depression
- Intense cravings
- Irritability
- Paranoia or delusions
- Rapid heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Impaired concentration
Heroin Overdose
A heroin overdose can happen any time you use heroin, even if you have used it many times before. Overdose is even more of a concern today than in years past because heroin is often cut with fentanyl, an opioid that is 50 times stronger. If you consume too many opioids, it’s possible to experience life-threatening effects.
The most common side effects of a heroin overdose are shallow, slow, or stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, blue lips, disorientation, and cold, clammy skin.
Immediate treatment for heroin is critical and can be life-saving. It involves administering naloxone (Narcan) to restore normal breathing and consciousness. Naloxone is only meant to keep a person alive until help arrives. Medical attention is still required, and a second dose may be needed. However, medical treatment only addresses the acute symptoms. Without professional intervention, you may return to heroin use and suffer another overdose.
Treating Heroin Use Disorder in Prescott, AZ
Recovering from a heroin use disorder may seem out of reach, but help is available no matter where in the journey you are. Every day, people are living their best lives in recovery, and you can, too. Heroin addiction treatment combines behavioral and pharmacological treatments to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and help you understand the root causes of your behaviors. While each person is unique, a successful journey to recovery typically includes medical detox, therapy, life skills education, and aftercare.
Wolf Creek Recovery recognizes that heroin use disorder is a complex condition that affects every aspect of life. Therefore, we know that treatment must as well. This is why we give our clients the tools and resources they need to not just begin their recoveries but also rebuild their lives. Throughout our program, clients have access to a wide range of evidence-based therapies and holistic practices, as well as supportive staff who are also in recovery. To learn more about our outpatient programs, contact us today at 833-732-8202.
FAQs
How strong of an opioid is heroin?
Heroin is a powerful opioid that is made from chemically processed morphine. It enters the brain quickly and produces a faster effect.
What are the side effects of heroin?
The side effects from heroin typically include skin flushing, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities. It’s also possible to experience skin itching, nausea, and vomiting.
What are the signs of a heroin overdose?
Heroin can slow down the heart rate and respiratory rate, and in some cases, they can reach dangerous levels. When this happens, an overdose can occur. Combining heroin with other substances increases the risk for overdose.
Can a heroin use disorder be treated?
Heroin use disorder is treated similarly to how other opioid use disorders are treated. A combination of behavioral therapies and medications is most effective at reducing cravings, alleviating withdrawal symptoms, and helping a person remain abstinent.
