While heroin has been illegal for nearly 100 years, it is still a common problem for many Americans. Just in the last 20 years, heroin addiction and overdose deaths have quadrupled their previous numbers and taken hundreds of thousands of lives.
Are you concerned that your loved one is addicted to heroin? Do you know the signs of a heroin addiction? Do you know how to get treatment for them? Let us help you.
Starbridge Recovery is a premier heroin addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a white or brown powder or a tacky black goo. Originally used from the 1800s to the 1920s, it worked like morphine to relieve pain before its highly addictive qualities were noted. Heroin became illegal in the 1920s and is now considered an illegal drug.
Heroin causes the body to release increased amounts of dopamine and numbing pain sensors, giving a “rush” to the user. Heroin can be injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked causing variations in the immediacy and length of the high. The short-term effects of heroin include dry mouth, itching, nausea and vomiting, and going “on the nod” where a person nods on and off between consciousness and subconsciousness.
When used in combination with stimulants, heroin can decrease the impact of the jitteriness and balance the effects of it. However, this combination of stimulant and sedative, can also cause the body to stop functioning correctly causing a heart attack and even death.
When used in combination with other sedatives, heroin becomes lethal through the process of slowing down too many body functions causing death.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?
Heroin addiction can be obvious for those who know what to look for. Aside from finding paraphernalia, like syringes, pipes, spoons, lighters, or medical tubing, you can also learn to look for signs of impairment.
Visually, you might be able to see track marks on an addict. These are most commonly on the arms, legs, between the fingers and toes. You may also notice pinpoint pupils, excessive itching, or an addict “on the nod.”
Additionally, an addict is likely impaired. They may have slow or slurred speech or delayed processing. This is obvious when you ask a question, and it takes them a long time to think through the answer or they answer a simple question incorrectly.
There also may be medical concerns to look and listen for. Long-term heroin addiction can cause miscarriage or irregular cycles, weakening and infection of the heart, constipation, collapsed veins, insomnia, etc.
If you are concerned for a loved one, Starbridge Recovery can be their heroin addiction treatment program.
What Is Starbridge Recovery and How Can They Help?
Starbridge Recovery is a leading heroin addiction treatment center in Los Angeles. Our expert staff are specifically trained and prepared to deal with heroin addiction and recovery. With medically supervised detox, residential inpatient, and aftercare available, our facility offers support through every step of the process.
Our state-of-the-art facility offers a multitude of traditional evidence-based therapies in combination with our alternative creative arts therapies that support holistic healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Through individual, group, and family therapies, clients are able to better understand themselves by learning where their addictions stem from, coping-strategies, and developing a support system that will keep them strong through life-long sobriety.
By choosing Starbridge Recovery, you are choosing staff that will create an individualized treatment plan to meet your unique needs. Within our luxury heroin addiction treatment center, we are able to offer spacious housing, spa-like amenities, and modern living.
Starbridge Recovery can support your loved one through the difficulty of heroin addiction treatment and the rehabilitation process.