Heroin is a highly addictive drug that significantly impairs an addict’s health and well-being. Not only does heroin use negatively impact an addict’s physical and mental health, but it fractures both personal and professional relationships.
There are several physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of heroin use. If you suspect your loved one is using heroin, it’s essential you understand key signs to watch out for that may indicate your loved one is addicted to heroin. That’s why in this article, you’ll learn more about the various signs of heroin use and how to help someone showing heroin addiction signs.
At Rise in Malibu, we are a Malibu luxury drug rehab committed to helping all clients overcome their addiction and live a long-lasting life of sobriety. We offer various clinical, traditional, holistic, and medical treatment options so clients can receive the exact care and support needed to safely and effectively overcome their addiction for good. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your recovery journey.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine that looks like either a white or brown powder or a black substance (otherwise known as black tar heroin). Heroin can be injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. The substance can sometimes be mixed with other drugs, like cocaine, to achieve the abuser’s desired effect.
Heroin is a highly addictive drug because it essentially gives the user a heightened sense of pleasure and satisfaction when using the drug. As individuals use more and more of the drug, their bodies will naturally begin to crave more and more of the drug to achieve this pleasurable, desired effect. This constant desire to abuse more and more of the drug to satisfy their craving is what can eventually lead to overdosing.
Therefore, because of how life-threatening and destructive heroin use can be in one’s personal and professional life, seeking treatment is important to take back control over your life for the better. Seeking professional addiction treatment will not only ensure a safe and successful detox process, but addiction recovery treatment provides care and support to help the addict sustain a long-term life of sobriety.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Use?
If you suspect your loved one may be struggling with a heroin addiction, it’s important to be aware of the various physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of heroin use. Some signs of a heroin addict may be more obvious (i.e., sudden changes in behavior, nodding off, shortness of breath, etc.) than others.
Here are some common heroin use signs to look out for if you suspect someone you know may be using:
- Warm flushing of the skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Being more argumentative than usual
- Stealing money from others to pay for drug use
- Wearing long pants and sleeves (especially in warmer seasons) to hide needle marks
- Severe itching
- Loss of coordination
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
While everyone gets anxious or irritable every once in a while, if you notice a dramatic shift and severity in such psychological symptoms, this is worth noting. This is because more sudden and dramatic shifts in mood and behavior that is atypical of the person’s “normal” personality are key indicators of someone showing signs of heroin use and addiction.
How to Talk to a Person Abusing Heroin?
Talking to an addict about getting help from a professional addiction treatment center is sometimes easier said than done.
Here are some key ideas to keep in mind when preparing to talk to someone abusing heroin:
- Strategically pick a time when you will talk with the person you suspect is abusing heroin.
- Talk to the person in a quiet, familiar place and eliminate any potential distractions.
- Use a loving, supportive tone and control your emotions during the conversation.
- Let your loved one know the unhealthy signs/ changes you’ve noticed, rather than immediately confronting them about their suspected addiction.
- Avoid judgment and stress about how heroin use is harming their life.
- Encourage the individual to seek professional treatment, and emphasize that they have a supportive team of family members and friends here to help them in their recovery journey.
How to Find Inpatient Treatment For Heroin Addiction
Heroin can significantly impact an individual’s physical and mental health for the worse. If you suspect someone in your life is struggling with heroin addiction, it’s essential you are aware of the signs of heroin use and have a planned discussion to ultimately help your loved one seek the treatment they need to overcome their addiction.
At Rise in Malibu, we understand that no two clients are alike. That’s why we provide a broad range of treatment programs so clients can receive tailored treatment to effectively overcome their addiction and lead a healthier, happier life. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact us to learn more about how we can help guide you through your recovery journey.
