Heroin is a chemical substance with tranquilizing and stimulating effects, which causes a desire to take more and more of it and withdrawal symptoms when it is not taken. Heroin addiction is slightly more risky than other addictions. Addiction is unpredictable and even one use is extremely dangerous. Heroin addiction is a treatable brain disease. Therefore, an individualized treatment plan can help the addicted person regain their health.
What is heroin addiction and what are the symptoms?
Heroin, opioid is a chemical substance that acts like morphine in the body. It is one of the types of addiction in which there is a constant and severe desire to use this substance. More than 20 chemically different opioids are in clinical use around the world.
In developed countries, heroin is the opioid substance most commonly associated with abuse and addiction. Heroin addiction is a type of addiction that needs to be treated in a multidisciplinary manner. In heroin addiction, the risk of developing heroin addiction is quite high even if the substance is used only once. Opium is obtained by scratching the fresh capsules of Papaver somniferum and drying the resulting juice.
Morphine is obtained from opium and heroin (diacetylmorphine) from the processing of morphine. It produces a feeling of well-being in the person who uses it. It has a very high addiction potential even with one-time use and tolerance develops rapidly, especially compared to other substances. The street names commonly used for heroin in our country are cheese, white, kashkaval.
Heroin addiction is a type of addiction caused by the intake of substances and drugs containing chemicals. Continuing to use and not stopping it even though it is known to be useless is heroin addiction. When not taken, it shows withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms are as follows;
- When the amount of this substance is reduced or completely stopped, the person goes into crisis
- Constant variation in mood
- Engaging in inappropriate behavior
- Lack of self-control
- Displaying very sensitive behavior
- Tension
- Fatigue
- Internal distress
- Change in the circle of friends
- Weakening of family relationships
- Decreased appetite
- Disturbance in sleep patterns
- Physiological symptoms such as red and bloodshot eyes, weight loss, cold sweats and trembling hands can also be observed.
How does heroin addiction affect the body?
People with heroin addiction ingest the substance in two different ways: intravenously or through inhalation.
Heroin addiction is a brain disease that can be treated, so a personalized treatment plan can be applied to help the person detoxify. In heroin addiction, depending on the way the substance is taken, it starts to show its effect in different time frames and within a short period of time. These people are usually tired, sluggish and slow-moving. They are unable to take care of their personal hygiene and look unhealthy and unkempt because they are constantly losing weight.
Since heroin contains a sedative substance, it is very preferable because it causes happiness, joy, enthusiasm, relaxation and relaxation in the person with heroin addiction. When the heroin substance is used continuously, it becomes a serious physical and psychological addiction in the person with heroin addiction.
People with heroin addiction experience symptoms such as difficulty in learning, distracted attention and memory. There are also problems such as nausea and vomiting, slowed breathing and heartbeat, and slowed and difficult breathing.
When the use of heroin increases and becomes more frequent, problems such as runny eyes and nose, dilated pupils, sweating, fever and diarrhea begin to manifest themselves in people with heroin addiction.
How is heroin addiction treated?
Heroin addiction is a treatable disease and the person needs to be under continuous treatment by specialists.
Heroin withdrawal can manifest itself with fatigue and anxiety some time after the last use, after which the individual starts to feel bad and sleep problems can be observed. Withdrawal increases at a high level between 36 and 72 hours. It is characterized by severe physiological symptoms and unstoppable cravings for heroin. There may be intense anxiety, insomnia, disturbed behavior, increased heart rate, physical pain. These symptoms usually disappear within 5 to 10 days. In treatment, especially during the detoxification period, medication for withdrawal symptoms helps. In addition, psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, social awareness raising and support from the individual's social environment contribute positively to the treatment process.
