Do you know how to help someone with heroin addiction find a better way forward? Heroin abuse is a serious problem that affects millions of individuals and their families all over the world. However, recovery is possible, and individuals living with heroin addiction deserve a chance at it. With understanding, compassion, and support from family members and healthcare professionals, those struggling with heroin can find the path to healing.
At Promises Dallas-Fort Worth in Lewisville, Texas, families across North Texas find help for loved ones struggling with heroin addiction, including medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization and virtual intensive outpatient care. Call (469) 546-9303 to talk with our admissions team about options for yourself or a loved one.
What Is Heroin Abuse?
Heroin abuse is a serious problem that continues to become more dangerous in the United States and across the world. It is an opioid drug derived from morphine and is highly addictive. Heroin can be injected, smoked, or snorted, and it quickly enters the bloodstream and produces a surge of pleasure followed by a lengthy, intense high.
However, this effect wears off quickly and may expose individuals to a risk of experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Over time, people may become increasingly tolerant of the drug’s effects and must use more of it to get the same high. This raises their risk of overdose and death. Those who use heroin often suffer from cravings that are difficult to resist, even with medical treatment or other forms of therapy.
Some of the most common symptoms of heroin abuse include:
- Intense euphoria
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasms and tremors
- Slow breathing rate
- Drowsiness
- Itching or sweating profusely
- Confusion or impaired mental functioning
- Constricted pupils
- Dry mouth or shallow breathing
Fentanyl is also a major risk of using heroin. It is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Buying unregulated fentanyl—or other drugs that it may be cut into—can quickly lead to overdose.
Heroin Abuse Treatment
If you or a loved one is experiencing any level of addiction, it is important to consider seeking professional help from a heroin abuse treatment program. Heroin treatment programs typically include a combination of behavioral therapy, counseling, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy is one of the most important components of a heroin treatment program. It may involve helping patients learn healthier coping mechanisms for managing stress, as well as developing positive thinking and communication skills. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach to behavioral therapy for addiction and has been proven effective in helping those struggling with heroin achieve long-term sobriety. CBT focuses on changing an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to their addiction and can be used as part of an overall treatment plan for lasting recovery.
Counseling Sessions
Counseling is an essential component of behavioral therapy for addiction, as it helps address the underlying psychological causes of addiction by providing patients with a safe space to discuss their feelings. Counseling can prove beneficial in helping individuals develop healthy coping strategies and life skills that will aid in relapse prevention.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is another important component of a successful heroin treatment program. MAT uses medications such as Suboxone and Vivitrol to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings while helping users transition into abstinence over time. These medications can be taken under the supervision of a medical professional for up to 12 months, allowing users to slowly wean off their dependence on heroin without experiencing life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Help a Loved One With Heroin Addiction at Promises Dallas-Fort Worth
Promises Dallas-Fort Worth provides medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization and virtual intensive outpatient care for adults at our Joint Commission-accredited center in Lewisville, Texas. Learn more about our heroin addiction treatment, or let our admissions team verify your insurance before you commit. Call (469) 546-9303 or contact us online to get started.