Understanding Heroin Addiction

Learn about heroin abuse & addiction

Developing an addiction to heroin can wreak havoc on the lives of those who become consumed by it. Both highly addictive and extremely dangerous, heroin is an illicit drug that creates feelings of pleasure and euphoria while also prohibiting the body’s ability to feel pain. This pleasant high is appealing to many and, because of its ability to rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier, it is a high that is induced almost instantaneously. Unfortunately, despite the pleasurable feelings that it elicits, this substance can quickly consume all aspects of an individual’s life, preventing him or her from functioning appropriately at work, in school, at home, or in social situations. Additionally, the longer that an individual continues to abuse heroin, the more damage he or she will inflict on his or her physical and mental health. The disturbances that can arise as a result of heroin use are far-reaching and long-lasting and will inevitably impact not only the lives of those using, but the lives of their loved ones as well. Fortunately, there are beneficial treatment options that individuals can engage in that can help them overcome their devastating heroin addiction and resume a happy, healthy, and sober life.

Statistics

Statistics for heroin abuse

Studies have shown that an estimated 13.5 million people throughout the world abuse opioids, and that approximately 9.2 million specifically use heroin as their drug of choice. Additionally, men are believed to be twice as likely as women to abuse heroin.

Causes & Risks

Causes & risk factors of heroin addiction

The causes and risk factors that are involved in the development of a heroin abuse problem are believed to lie in a number of different components, which are described briefly in the following:

Genetic: An individual’s genetic background can impact his or her susceptibility to developing an addiction to a substance like heroin. Those who have a family history of substance abuse and addiction are much more likely to abuse substances themselves than are those who do not have the same type of genetic background.

Environmental: The environment that individuals spend a significant amount of time in can have a monumental impact on their vulnerability to experimenting with the abuse of heroin. For example, individuals who are exposed to a lot of stress or chaos in their home, work, or school lives may seek out a means of numbing the negative emotions that arise as a result of that stress or chaos. And that numbing agent may be found in the use of heroin. Additionally, individuals who are surrounded by the use of heroin or other substances are at an increased risk for abusing the drug themselves as they come to view it as being an acceptable form of recreation.

Risk Factors:

Family history of chemical dependency
Family history of mental illness
Personal history of mental illness
Personal history of abusing other drugs or alcohol
Peer pressure
Chronic exposure to stress, violence, and/or crime
Having easy access to heroin
Possessing low self-esteem
Personal history of experiencing a trauma

Signs and Symptoms

Signs & symptoms of heroin addiction

The signs and symptoms that are exhibited by someone who is abusing heroin will vary in type, duration, and intensity from person to person. Common examples of various symptoms that may act as indicators that someone is struggling with a heroin addiction include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Wearing long-sleeved shirts or long pants despite warm weather in an attempt to hide possible track marks from injecting the substance
No longer participating in activities or hobbies that one once enjoyed
Associating with a new peer group
Frequent absences from work or school
Suddenly receiving failing grades or struggling to perform at the expected level occupationally
Incessantly picking at one’s skin
Lying
Stealing

Physical symptoms:

Persistent flu-like symptoms (including fever, vomiting, and feeling achy)
Constipation
Changes in eating patterns
Noticeable weight loss
Dry mouth
Runny nose
Bruising or scabbing on the skin
Presence of needle marks on the arms or legs

Cognitive symptoms:

Difficulty being able to concentrate
Difficulty controlling impulses
Difficulty using decision-making skills
Hallucinations
Paranoia
Disorientation

Psychosocial symptoms:

Frequent mood swings
Anxiety
Depression
Hostility
Excitability
No longer having interest in things that one was once interested in

Effects

Effects of heroin abuse

The prolonged abuse of heroin can leave individuals vulnerable to experiencing a number of negative consequences throughout all areas of their lives. The effects of heroin abuse can be vast and may include the following:

Academic failure
Disciplinary action being taken at school, including possible suspension and expulsion
Dropping out of school
Occupational failure, including job loss and possible chronic unemployment
Financial strife
Homelessness
Family discord
Relationship disturbances
Interaction with the legal system, which could potentially include incarceration
Onset of self-harming behaviors

In addition, the prolonged use of heroin can cause a decline in the physical and mental health of users. Examples of such effects can include the following:

Clogged blood vessels
Organ damage
Contraction of viruses, such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS
Heart attack
Stroke
Seizures
Cognitive impairment
Suicidal ideation
Onset of, or worsening of, symptoms of mental health conditions

Co-Occurring Disorders

Heroin addiction and co-occurring disorders

Individuals who struggle with an addiction to heroin are sadly often faced with the distress of suffering from symptoms of other mental health conditions as well. Examples of disorders that are commonly cited as co-occurring alongside heroin abuse and addiction include:

Depressive disorders
Bipolar disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Anxiety disorders
Schizoaffective disorder
Other substance use disorders

Withdrawal & Overdose Effects

Effects & symptoms of withdrawal from heroin

Effects of heroin withdrawal: When an individual has been abusing heroin, his or her body becomes accustomed to the presence of the substance. When that individual then suddenly stops using heroin, his or her body must adapt to the absence of the drug in his or her system. The body’s period of adaptation to not having the substance is known as withdrawal, and it can be an extremely uncomfortable experience for those withdrawing from heroin. Various signs and effects that could be indicative of heroin withdrawal include:

Intense, overpowering cravings for heroin
Muscle pain
Bone pain
Abdominal cramping
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Excessive sweating
Chills
Feelings of restlessness

Effects of heroin overdose: When heroin is ingested at such a high dosage that an individual’s body is not capable of appropriately metabolizing it, an overdose will likely occur. Overdosing on heroin can be life-threatening and medical treatment should be sought in order to prevent a grave outcome. Signs that could indicate that someone has overdosed on heroin may include: