What is Heroin?

Heroin is a very addictive drug that is made from morphine, a substance that occurs naturally and is extracted from the seed pod of certain poppy plants. Heroin is usually sold in powder form, either white or brownish in color, that is cut (combined) with additives like sugar, powdered milk, starch, or quinine. In its pure form, heroin is white, and it has a very bitter taste. This type of heroin is snorted or smoked and is usually the starting point for new heroin users.

Black tar heroin is a sticky substance (like roofing tar) or hard like coal. The darker color is due to the processing, a crude method that leaves behind impurities. This type of heroin is typically dissolved, diluted, and then injected into a vein, muscle, or under the skin.

Heroin enters the brain quickly and binds to the brain receptors that control feelings of pleasure and pain, as well as breathing, heart rate, and sleep.

What is a Heroin Rehab in Arizona?

It is typically very difficult to stop using heroin without professional help. Many people who become addicted to heroin try to quit using the drug over and over again, only to relapse. Heroin rehab programs are designed to help addicted people stop their compulsive drug-seeking behaviors and use. Drug treatment can occur in various settings, take different forms, and last for varying lengths of time. Because heroin addiction is characterized as a chronic disorder with potential relapses, the recommended treatment is often a long-term process.

The components of heroin addiction treatment usually consist of a clinical evaluation, treatment planning, behavioral therapy, substance use monitoring, support groups, exposure to 12-step groups, mental health screening, addiction education, relapse prevention, and in some cases, medication-assisted treatment.

Some addiction treatment centers employ medications like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone, to assist with heroin detox and cravings.

What Are the Risks of Heroin Abuse?

Heroin produces a euphoric feeling in users, a rush that is extremely pleasurable. However, there are some other common effects that are not at all appealing, including:

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Flushing of the skin

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Dry mouth

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Nausea and vomiting

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Severe itching

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Heavy feeling in the extremities

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Clouded or jumbled mental functioning

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Unconsciousness

The long-term effects of heroin abuse can be even worse. These effects include:
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Trouble sleeping

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Severe stomach cramps and constipation

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Infection of the heart lining and valves

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Damaged tissue in the nose (when snorted)

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Collapsed and blown veins (when injected)

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Blood clots

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Skin infections (bacterial and viral)

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Abscesses

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Kidney and liver disease

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Sepsis and septic sock

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Respiratory complications, including pneumonia

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Mental conditions like depression, anxiety, and antisocial personality disorder

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Sexual dysfunction (men) and irregular menstrual cycles (women)

Heroin users who inject the drug intravenously are subject to even more potential risks. They have a high risk of contracting HIV and/or the hepatitis C virus. These are diseases that are spread through blood or other bodily fluid, which can easily occur when users are sharing needles.

Perhaps the most serious risk for heroin users is overdose. An overdose happens when someone uses enough of the drug that a life-threatening reaction or death occurs. When someone overdoses on heroin, breathing is slowed or may stop completely. This will reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which is a condition called hypoxia. This lack of sufficient oxygen can have both short-term and long-term effects on the nervous system, including coma and permanent brain damage.

What Are the Benefits of Heroin Rehab?

Heroin addiction is often associated with relapse as a result of the intense and uncomfortable process of withdrawal. Many heroin addicts who try to stop using on their own give in and end up relapsing to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. This makes the need for professional help even more important than it is with some other drug addictions.

Heroin rehab offers clients many benefits, including:

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Understanding of motivations and behaviors

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Better coping skills for dealing with stress

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Positive coping mechanisms for mental health issues

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Improved self-esteem

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Better chance of long-term recovery

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Relapse prevention techniques

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Addiction education

Heroin rehab is also a benefit because it provides clients with social skills and peer support. Many users feel alone and isolated. In rehab programs, they will have others who have the same types of feelings and experiences.

Another benefit of heroin rehab is that clients learn to recognize stressors and triggers, which are different for each person. As you learn more about why certain things make you want to use, you’ll also put solid plans in place regarding how to handle them when they inevitably come up.

Who Should Attend Heroin Rehab in Arizona?

Anyone who is using heroin is at risk of becoming physically dependent and addicted to the drug – and it doesn’t take long for that to happen. Your body can quickly get used to having heroin in your system. Once that happens, and you have to take more to get the same high, you might be in trouble.

Heroin is a dangerous illegal drug, and as such, you are always at risk when you use it. You may suffer physically, mentally, relationally, or legally. The longer you use heroin, the more likely you are to have negative consequences. If you continue to use, despite suffering negative consequences, then it’s time to seek help.

Essentially, heroin addiction treatment is for anyone who feels they have a problem with heroin, no matter what stage of addiction they are in. You don’t have to wait to hit rock bottom. Rehab can help you now.

What to Look for in a Heroin Rehab in Arizona?

When you have made the courageous decision to seek help for your heroin addiction, you will also have to decide what level of care is right for you. With heroin, it is recommended that you attend a detox program before you go to inpatient or outpatient treatment. Going to a medically supervised detox will help you get through the withdrawal symptoms with support and care. You may also be given medication to make detoxing as comfortable as possible.

Once your body is free of heroin, you have to consider your next step. It’s likely that the detox center medical staff will have a recommendation for which level of care you are a good fit for. It’s important to consider various things, such as:

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Do you have work, school, or family obligations that will make it necessary to go to an outpatient program?

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Where is the rehab center located?

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What is the cost of the program, and will your insurance coverage pay for it?

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What are the qualifications of the staff at the rehab?

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Is the facility accredited and licensed?

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Is family participation a part of the program?

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Is there an aftercare program?

How Can Stonewall Help with Heroin Addiction?

At Stonewall Institute, we have outpatient heroin addiction programs that allow you maintain other aspects of your like, like work, school, and family responsibilities while addressing your heroin abuse. Further, we are dedicated to ensuring that you are a good candidate for outpatient level addiction treatment and that you receive the highest quality of care.

The first step is a thorough clinical evaluation that will be conducted by one of our experienced and caring staff members. Once that is done and it’s determine that you are a good fit for our program, you will work with Master Level Licensed Counselors who utilize the latest evidence-based treatment modalities, to make sure that your rehabilitation process is as effective as possible.

It’s completely normal to feel nervous or apprehensive about attending a heroin rehab program. If you are feeling that way, we are happy to talk with you, address your concerns, and answer any questions you have. Please contact us at (602)-535-6468 and a member of our intake team will help you get started. We will work together to create the right treatment plan for you and your individual needs.