Heroin Addiction Symptoms
Heroin addiction is a deadly disease but when you are in the throes of it, it is often difficult to identify. In the same way, if someone you love is using heroin, it isn't always easy to recognize when your loved one crosses the line from heroin abuse into heroin addiction. Listed below are some of the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of heroin addiction so that you may more easily identify the disease in yourself and others.
At Michael's House, we can help you break free from heroin addiction with our heroin addiction treatment program. Learn more about our heroin detox and addiction treatment counseling by calling .
Physical Heroin Addiction Symptoms
The health issues that result when heroin addiction is an issue are both chronic and acute. You can recognize the symptoms of heroin addiction relatively early on. For example, you might notice a runny nose, sweating, constipation or diarrhea (depending upon when the last hit was), cramping or nausea. Some experience headaches when they are without the drug as well as bone and muscle pain. When under the influence, you can recognize the effects of heroin by the "nod" or sleepy behavior. Often unresponsive, it is difficult for someone under the influence of heroin to garner much enthusiasm or emotion of any kind or even to follow a simple conversation. Hygiene concerns tend to fall to the wayside as heroin addiction progresses and you can soon see the effects of not eating in the quality of their skin and hair as well as abscesses at injection sites.
Because the immune system of the heroin addict is lowered, over time, a number of chronic health problems can become a concern including kidney and liver failure, heart disease, heart failure, respiratory illness, pneumonia, infections of the blood and the heart lining.
Mental and Emotional Heroin Addiction Symptoms
The mental and emotional effects of heroin addiction are most obvious to the person living with the disease and those closest to him or her. In general, a numbness or lack of emotion to situations and events that are, under normal circumstances, somewhat emotional in nature is one common issue among heroin addicts. It is difficult for heroin addicts to connect to anything but the needle and this often means a hiatus from spiritual practice, a lack of interest in hobbies and zero focus on goals and/ or commitments. "Checked out" is the best way to describe the mental and emotional state of those struggling with heroin addiction.
Other Heroin Addiction Symptoms
The symptoms of heroin addiction extend well beyond the health of the individual using the drug and their mental and emotional investment in events outside of themselves. Other symptoms of heroin addiction are more obvious and tangible: relationships with significant others, bosses, close friends and family members suffer when heroin addiction is an issue. Finances are usually destroyed and/ or nonexistent. Those who have a job rarely keep it for long. These symptoms generally occur within the first few months of addiction, so if you are noticing these, it's time to get treatment.
Heroin Addiction Treatment at Michael's House
Michael's House offers a heroin rehab that is extensive and well rounded. Call us at for more information about our heroin detox and heroin addiction treatment program.
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