Begin Your Path to Recovery with Heroin Addiction Treatment at Embark Recovery
Are you seeking heroin addiction treatment in Arizona? Taking that first courageous step is the beginning of reclaiming control over your life.
Entering heroin rehab may feel daunting, especially when the drug has become a constant presence in your daily routine. While it may seem unimaginable to imagine life without it, continuing down this path only brings further harm to your relationships, career, and well-being.
Whether it’s your initial attempt at seeking help or you’ve faced setbacks in your recovery journey, understanding the heroin rehab process and the profound dangers of the drug could be the knowledge that saves your life.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an incredibly addictive substance derived from opium, a resinous material obtained from poppy plants cultivated in regions like Colombia, Mexico, and parts of Asia. After refinement, opium transforms into morphine, which is then further processed into heroin.
Heroin can take the form of a white or brown powder or a black, tar-like substance. It goes by various street names such as smack, big H, dope, junk, white horse, black tar, brown sugar, and China white.
Typically, heroin is injected into veins or muscles (“mainlining”), although it can also be snorted or smoked. Users experience an immediate rush of euphoria upon consumption, followed by a period of sedation lasting several hours, during which cognitive function and physical coordination are impaired.
The allure of this intense euphoric high draws many individuals to heroin. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 170,000 people tried heroin for the first time in 2016, nearly double the number from a decade prior.
How Does Heroin Addiction Affect Your Brain and Body?
Heroin exerts its effects by stimulating the brain’s reward center, binding to receptors that regulate feelings of pleasure, pain, and well-being. Upon ingestion, heroin triggers the release of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure hormone, resulting in the euphoric rush.
Long-term heroin use can lead to deterioration of the brain’s white matter, affecting decision-making, behavior regulation, and conflict resolution. Additionally, heroin users quickly develop tolerance and dependence, often requiring professional assistance to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Beyond its impact on the brain, heroin use poses severe health risks, with over 42,000 opioid-related deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 alone. Chronic heroin use can lead to kidney and liver disease, heart complications, collapsed veins, arthritis, lung infections, and skin abscesses. Sharing needles also increases the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Identifying signs of heroin addiction is crucial for early intervention. Some physical signs are:
Behavioral signs include:
Embark Recovery in Prescott, Arizona, offers comprehensive heroin addiction treatment programs designed to guide individuals towards lasting recovery.
Withdrawal from Heroin and Recovery Options Heroin withdrawal is a challenging experience marked by irritability, insomnia, muscle and bone pain, intense cravings, flu-like symptoms, and emotional fluctuations. While withdrawal symptoms can be severe, they are not life-threatening.
Professional heroin detox centers provide support to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and effectively. Medications like methadone may be used to reduce cravings and withdrawal severity.
Following detox, transitioning to an inpatient heroin treatment center offers a structured environment for intensive therapy and medical supervision. Inpatient programs help individuals address underlying issues contributing to addiction and develop coping strategies for a drug-free life.
Embark Recovery offers a full continuum of care, including residential treatment, PHP, IOP, and Outpatient treatment to guide individuals through every stage of recovery. Located in scenic Prescott, Arizona, our tranquil surroundings provide a conducive environment for healing and renewal.