Signs of heroin abuse are distinct and appear very early on in the timeline of addiction. Some physical symptoms to look for include:

The physical symptoms are highly noticeable, and the behavioral changes in an addict are equally obvious. More than other drugs, heroin will begin to affect an addict’s wardrobe. The heroin addict will frequently prefer long-sleeved, baggy clothing which serves the purpose of concealing needle marks and abscesses while also hiding weight loss. They will also be likely to neglect personal hygiene, not bathing or brushing their teeth and wearing the same clothes for several days on end. Also, be alert to any general shiftiness on the part of a potential addict. They may lie frequently about their activities, steal money or possessions to fund their habit, or spend time with questionable people.

While considered to be a cheaper alternative to prescription drugs, heroin addiction is by no means inexpensive. To make things worse, the price can skyrocket as the addict develops an increasing tolerance. Like many street drugs, it can be difficult to pinpoint how much a heroin addict may spend on their habit. Factors like the progression of the addiction, availability of the drug in any given area, and personal connections can all play a significant role. On average, however, a single dose of heroin costs about $20 and an addict with a relatively advanced habit can spend upwards of $200 a day on their addiction.

To further complicate things, a heroin addict can rarely stay employed, simply given the side effects of heroin. As a result, the instances of heroin addicts turning to a life of crime are extremely high. Heroin addicts are notorious for stealing just about anything they can get their hands on, turning stolen goods over to pawn shops and immediately buying heroin with the funds. Once this cycle begins it is only a matter of time before most addicts end up in jail or prison. Once in a criminal facility, addicts are unfortunately able to continue their addiction, as the presence of heroin and other illicit drugs within the criminal justice system is rampant. Thus, the cycle becomes extremely difficult to break, without any viable respite from heroin aside from dedicated facilities like rehabs.

Heroin takes an awful toll on the health of an addicted person. While injection is the most dangerous means of taking the drug, all mechanisms of heroin use have short- and long-term risks which range from severe to lethal.

Intravenous heroin users will cause irreparable damage to their veins in short order. Repeated injection at the same sites will lead rapidly to collapsed veins and a variety of infections. These infections can create large abscesses on the skin’s surface which can become life-threatening. The full scope of relatively minor, short-term effects include bad teeth, constipation, a weakened immune system, respiratory illnesses, muscular atrophy, reduced sexual capacity, menstrual disturbance, depression, and insomnia.

Naturally, the longer a heroin addict is active in their addiction, the worse the side effects become. Heroin addicts commonly share needles, which can lead to HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis-C. Both diseases are life-long illnesses which, left untreated, can kill the addict. Heroin addicts also run a high risk of contracting tuberculosis and arthritis, as a result of overall poor health and the drug’s action on the body.

Like many other addictive substances, repeated exposure to heroin can begin to permanently alter a person’s brain chemistry. This results in long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that can not be easily undone by simply abstaining from the drug for a time.

As a result, the rate of relapse among heroin addicts is extremely high, with early recovery posing the greatest threat to an addict’s ongoing sobriety. Studies have shown that the relapse rate among addicts during the first 3 months of abstinence is as high as 90%8. Through the use of drugs like methadone or buprenorphine, some studies report a significantly lower rate of relapse at around 50%.

Heroin detox is extremely uncomfortable and painful. In fact, for many addicts, it is fear of this withdrawal which drives their addiction as much as any other factor. Unlike some other drugs, however, the risks of quitting heroin “cold-turkey” are relatively minor. The heroin addict will likely go through severe withdrawal symptoms for about a week, but can usually go through this experience in an outpatient setting unless they are coming off of multiple drugs simultaneously. Withdrawal symptoms for heroin typically include nausea, abdominal pain, depression, muscle spasms, intense craving, shaking, and sweating. These symptoms will typically begin between 6-12 hours after the last dose and go on for up to 10 days.

Medically monitored detox from heroin has come a long way in recent years. Researchers have discovered several drugs which can mitigate the pain of withdrawal and even act to reduce cravings. Commonly prescribed drugs for heroin withdrawal, including buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone. These drugs act primarily by suppressing cravings, allowing the addict to complete the detox process without relapsing.

Heroin recovery is extremely difficult. The reasons for this are manifold but stem primarily from the extreme discomfort associated with the withdrawal and the intensity of a heroin high. For years after their first “high”, heroin addicts can still recall, with startling clarity, their first euphoric heroin experience.

Recovery from heroin addiction, therefore, is a long and challenging process. In this time, they may need the assistance of maintenance therapy, i.e. medically supervised administration of drugs like Suboxone or methadone. They may also need therapy or 12-step assistance to work through many of the underlying psychological triggers or trauma which can lead to relapse if left untreated. Typically the highest rates of successful recovery from heroin are the result of a comprehensive plan put together by medical professionals and other recovered addicts.

Light House Women’s Recovery Center in Fresno, California offers the *highest success rate for long-term addiction treatment. Light House Women’s Recovery Center substance abuse and the alcoholism recovery rate are second to none in the industry. Residents receive a new spiritual foundation on which to rebuild their lives. They receive guidance, mentoring, and motivation to remain clean and sober. This program is not a resort or a vacation; but if other programs have failed you, maybe it’s time to check it out because it really works! Call us now to find out how we can help you kick the substances that are destroying your life!