Drugs derived from opium have been around for about 8000 years. In ancient times, many cultures realized that the opium poppy produced a substance that could treat pain and alleviate symptoms of specific ailments. No doubt, they discovered that this medicine also created feelings of euphoria. Did they see patients becoming addicted? Perhaps. Regardless, Chinese, Arab, Egyptian, Indian, Greeks, and Romans used opium, as did people in the Middle Ages and through the Renaissance. It was not until 1803 that morphine was synthesized from opium, and 70 years later, heroin from morphine. Heroin is far more potent than opium, and it did not take long for addiction to become increasingly common. Nowadays, heroin addiction can be treated effectively. The Right Step Houston offers heroin addiction treatment in Houston, TX.
We treat addiction to any opiate or opioid. If you want to know more about how opioids and opiates are related, what tolerance, dependence, and addiction look like, and what your options are for treatment, call The Right Step Houston at 1.844.768.0169.
Is Heroin an Opioid?
If you want to get technical, heroin, morphine, codeine, and opium are called opiates, while fentanyl and oxycodone are examples of opioids synthesized in a laboratory. However, any reference to an opioid use disorder (OUD) will include all the drugs listed above. “Opioid” is an umbrella term that refers to any drug that comes from the opium poppy, as well as drugs that are lab-made but contain the same chemical structures as opium-derived drugs.
The fact is, opioids are highly addictive drugs that interact within the pleasure center of the brain, interfering with the body’s natural ability to feel pleasure and contentment. When the brain of someone who abuses an opioid like heroin becomes dependent on the drug, it no longer produces the necessary neurotransmitters such as serotonin. A person with an OUD must continue to use opioids to:
- Feel pleasure
- Regulate emotions
- Manage stress
- Focus
- Make decisions
- Focus
If you or someone you know is struggling with heroin dependence, it is time to seek treatment in a heroin rehab program to regain sobriety and normal brain function.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Addiction rarely announces itself clearly. It often sneaks up on someone who has been dabbling with a drug such as heroin. Any use of heroin is abuse because there are no legal applications for it, and it must be purchased illicitly. However, often dependence on a prescription opioid leads to heroin use due to accessibility and cost considerations.
There are behavioral, psychological, and physical signs of heroin addiction. Some are listed below:
- Excessive need for sleep
- Muddy thinking
- Slowed or slurred speech
- Wearing clothes that hide possible track marks
- Failure to keep up with school or work responsibilities
- Chronic nausea or vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms
- Dry mouth
- Slowed breathing
- Itching
- Constricted pupils
- Sexual dysfunction
- Amenorrhea
Serious medical complications can arise, often necessitating intervention or hospitalization, which could lead to enrollment in rehab. Some of these severe side effects include blood clots, stroke, heart attack, infertility, chronic breathing difficulties, organ damage, heart, liver, or kidney disease, autoimmune responses such as arthritis, and a suppressed immune system resulting in infections or sepsis.
Contact The Right Step Houston Today and Start Heroin Rehab
Life can be challenging. Self-medicating anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and the often overwhelming stress of the day-to-day using an opioid or other drug are all too common. At The Right Step Houston, there is no judgment, only compassion and support. Our evidence-based, trauma-informed treatments are here to help you.
From medically supervised detox to inpatient and outpatient programs, we offer a safe, trigger-free setting to start your journey of recovery. The first step is admitting you need help. There is no shame in that—only release and relief. Knowing you can get well and not do it alone is liberating. Let The Right Step Houston be your next step. Contact our team online or call 1.844.768.0169 today to learn more.