You’ve been dabbling with heroin use. You do it for the euphoric high. Now you wonder if you’re experiencing the signs of heroin addiction. What does that look like?
Typical Signs of Heroin Addiction Others Notice
Therapists at the heroin addiction treatment center Los Angeles routinely work with people who are severely addicted to the drug. Some appear to have breathing difficulties. Others waver between being alert and nodding off. Disorientation is a common theme.
Heroin addiction symptoms others notice also include a disheveled appearance. Users frequently wear long shirts, long pants, jackets, and hoods even in warm weather. Most importantly, there’s the impression that someone’s dragging themselves along. It looks as though the limbs and head are too heavy to move.
Signs of Heroin Addiction You’ll Notice
So far, you’ve thought that you had things under control. But lately, you wonder if the habit’s running away with you. You spend a lot of time sleeping and scoring drugs. This doesn’t leave you time for family, a job, school, or friends.
You lie when people ask you about your appearance and condition. You also lie to get money for your habit. Sometimes, you have a difficult time expressing yourself. You notice that your cognitive functioning isn’t working the way it used to.
Of course, the scariest heroin addiction symptoms are the signs of withdrawal. You wake up to intense cravings for the drug and severe gastrointestinal pain. You feel sick as though you’re coming down with the flu. Cry uncontrollably for no reason at all.
Dealing with Heroin Addiction
Because it’s an opiate, it’s essential that you take signs of heroin addiction seriously. The condition only worsens. However, there are therapeutic interventions that can help you manage the addiction. It starts with detoxification.
Detox helps you end the physical addiction to heroin. Detoxing from an opiate can be an unpleasant experience; however, it doesn’t have to be. Medical care during this time reduces cravings and manages discomfort. In about a week, you’ll wake up and not struggle with withdrawal symptoms.
Next, there’s rehab. It helps you deal with the psychological dependency on the opiate. Possible treatments include:
- Individual therapy program as a tool for talking through your usage patterns and the reasons behind them
- Group therapy program that employs peer encouragement and accountability for healing
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment that helps you build up new coping mechanisms you can use
- Dialectical behavior treatment, which focuses on letting you control emotions
- Psychotherapy treatment program that deals with underlying mental health concerns, which create heroin abuse triggers
- Family therapy program, which helps you communicate effectively with loved ones and explain your goal of sobriety to them
It’s Time to Get Help
You’ve identified the signs of heroin addiction in your life. It’s not the kind of life you want for yourself and your loved ones. Therefore, get the help you need to turn things around. Casa Palmera therapists can help. Contact us today.
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