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Heroin addiction, or heroin dependence, is caused by a physical and/or psychological dependence to heroin. Addiction to heroin has devastating consequences for all concerned. Heroin dependence operates in the core of the central nervous system. Heroin is made by removing a white, milky, sap-like substance (opium) from the pod of the poppy flower. This opium is then refined to make morphine. The morphine is further refined into different forms of heroin. The addictive qualities of heroin are legendary. A tolerance to heroin quickly builds up, causing the user to become a heroin addict in a very short space of time. In its purest form it is a white powder, as it goes through the various degrading or 'cutting' processes it turns into varying degrees of brown. The more pure the heroin, the more dangerous and lethal the dose. Heroin has been known to be 'cut' with various substances, including rat poison, making users highly susceptible to heroin related mortality. Crime and personal depredation are more often experienced by a heroin dependent person.
Heroin dependence can be identified through changes in behaviour, thoughts and attitudes. Classic signs are: changes in a users social group to a new set of acquaintances, isolation from family and friends, money and items going missing, unreliability, significant reduction in overall performance, weight loss, intense even violent mood swings, constant sniffles or mild flu like symptoms, spoons left lying around with a black sticky substance on them and tinfoil with burn marks.
The symptoms of heroin addiction are identified by two international panels of psychiatrists, the American Psychiatric Association (DSM V) and the World Health Organisation (ICD 10). These symptoms are broadly 1. The need to take more, or less, heroin to achieve the desired effect, 2 The need to prevent the effects of withdrawals from heroin, 3 Heroin is taken in a larger amount or for a longer period than intended, 4 There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control the use of heroin, 5 A great deal of time is spent on activities to obtain heroin, 6 Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of heroin use, 7 The use of heroin continues despite the known probability of highly negative consequences.
We are on standby to answer your questions on where to find a suitable rehab for heroin addiction treatment. Triage Healthcare is regulated and approved to provide the correct advice through addiction advisor.co.uk. Call us now on 0800 246 5293 for free, confidential and immediate advice.
Heroin rehabs offer detox to manage the pain of the withdrawals and psychological addictions counselling to assist with relapse prevention.
