Heroin continues to be a major disruptor of lives even though this drug’s highly addictive qualities are well known. Originally synthesized from opium for medical use as a pain reliever, heroin no longer has any legitimate applications in medicine and is a Schedule I narcotic. Other, even more potent opioids are still prescribed for pain. When addiction results from this doctor-approved use, people often turn to heroin, readily available on the street and cheaper than medical-grade opioids. The cycle of heroin addiction is a vicious trap, but there is a way out from the grip of opioids. Heroin addiction treatment services are available at The Right Step Houston.
Overdose is one of the significant risks of heroin abuse and addiction. To learn about heroin overdose, what to do after an overdose, and how to get started on recovery at The Right Step Houston, call us at 1.844.768.0169. We will provide you with information, guide you through the intake process, and usher you onto the road to recovery.
What Constitutes Heroin Overdose?
Your body contains heroin receptors in the brain but also the gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nervous system. They receive input from opioid-like substances that are created naturally by the body. When actual heroin is introduced to the system, it overwhelms those receptors so that they go offline.
This is how physical dependence starts. The feel-good hormones that normally trigger responses from your body’s heroin receptors are not being produced, so you become dependent on heroin to feel pleasure of any kind and eventually need the drug simply to feel normal. Without it, you are thrust into withdrawal.
Because heroin is unregulated and never taken under medical supervision, overdose is always possible, and there is no way to know what batch or administration of heroin might trigger one. You may escalate the amount taken to chase the euphoric high that has become so elusive. Those increasingly large doses can tip you into overdose quickly and without warning.
Symptoms of Heroin Overdose
When the amount of heroin taken at one time is too much for the body to cope with, or if the drug has been laced with an even more potent opioid like fentanyl, overdose ensues. Early signs of a heroin overdose include sudden pallor, gasping or shallow breathing, and blue lips or fingertips. These signs indicate suppressed breathing that can lead to cardiac arrest. Additional warning signs to look for are:
- Low blood pressure
- Thready or weak pulse
- Extreme lethargy
- Loss of mental coherence or lucidity
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
Any of these signs could indicate a life-threatening situation.
What to Do After an Overdose
A heroin overdose requires immediate medical attention. Though not all overdoses result in death, there is no way to know which one will.
If someone experiences an overdose in your presence:
- Call 911
- Do not leave them
- If you have Narcan (naloxone), administer it immediately, as it will temporarily reverse the opioid overdose while help is on the way
There are no effective stop-gap measures. Cold baths, induced vomiting, and letting them sleep it off—these not only do not work but will delay effective intervention, increasing unacceptable outcomes.
An important note about naloxone is that it does not eliminate the heroin from the body—its efficacy is only temporary. When the naloxone effects wear off, the heroin is still present, and overdose can still happen. Anyone who has received this life-saving medication must be seen by a physician to manage the continued effects of heroin in the body.
Connect with The Right Step Houston and Start Heroin Addiction Treatment Today
If you or someone you care about has experienced a heroin overdose, seek help and support. Even without a history of overdose, heroin abuse and addiction is dangerous, and it is impossible to predict if or when an overdose might happen.
Prioritize your health and life. Get help today. At The Right Step Houston, we are ready to support you through your recovery from heroin. Contact our team online or call 1.844.768.0169 to get started with heroin addiction treatment today.