The redistribution
of wealth and class in society and the exposure to several narcotics at a very
early age have made individuals of all ages vulnerable to them. The
administration of painkillers has caused a widespread heroin addiction problem.
Because of
withdrawal symptoms, one cannot suddenly stop this dependence on a narcotic
substance. The doctors prefer a different mode of addiction treatment -
counseling, medication, or a combination of both (often called
medication-assisted treatment). However, many are using Medicaid Suboxone
Treatment to counter withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin - a dangerous opioid
Heroin is a drug
prepared from the flowers of the opium poppy. It is usually found in Asia,
Mexico, etc. It's been illegal in the US since 1924 and is available in black
or brown powder form or a sticky black tar. Like other opioids, it binds with
the opioid receptor in the brain and produces a chemically-induced euphoric
sensation. The addicts of heroin long for this euphoric sensation, or the
"high." However, the receptor desensitizes to the initial
concentration - increasing dosage or number of use times. This is what
contributes to addiction.
Several people
smoke or snort heroin. However, most abusers inject it into their veins. It is
the riskiest way to take it, as the chances of overdosing increase - and you
can catch a disease from a contaminated needle. It is hard to stop craving it
again once you have taken a shot or two of this drug.
Why is it so addictive?
Heroin is an
opioid, and like all opioids - it binds to the opioid receptors in the brain
and releases dopamine. It is called the "happy" or "feel-good"
hormone - it produces a feeling of euphoria in its users. Along with this
chemically-induced high, the users enter a dream-like state - they walk and
think slowly for the next few hours. It blocks your body's pain receptors and
lowers the heartbeat and breathing rate - which means that if you overdose, it
can be fatal.
Another aspect that
had a role in heroin's rise in use was the rising misuse of prescription
painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone - also made from the poppy plant
and chemically linked to heroin. People who become hooked on or abuse these
drugs start looking for a more robust and low-cost high. Heroin serves both
requirements, but it's also more hazardous. You cannot determine the product or
its strength.
Incidentally,
opioid overdose death increased by 400% between 2010 and 2017.
Effects of heroin addiction
The effects of
heroin addiction or abuse are not exclusive to it - therefore, one cannot
readily detect if someone is abusing the drug. The person's behavior will
change for the worse with continued use, but one cannot pinpoint it to heroin
addiction only. The short-term and prolonged-use effects of heroin abuse are
mentioned in the table below:
|
Substance of interest |
Short-term effects |
Long-term effects |
|
Heroin |
·
Euphoria ·
Dry mouth ·
Warm, reddened skin ·
Heavy feeling in arms and legs ·
Upset stomach ·
Vomiting ·
Itching ·
Incoherent brain ·
Changing in and out of lethargy |
·
Collapsed veins ·
Sleeplessness ·
Infections of heart lining and valves ·
Skin infections like abscesses and cellulitis ·
Greater probability of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and
hepatitis C ·
Liver and kidney disease ·
Psychological disorders ·
Lung diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis ·
Menstrual complications and miscarriage |
Heroin withdrawal
The body builds up
a tolerance with continued use - however, the cravings don't stop. The abuser
must take more amounts of the drug or increase the number of times they use it.
The body becomes dependent on the substance. Moreover, it's as hard to stop as it
is easy to start. The body begins to show symptoms as the presence of the drug
in one's system starts to decrease. This event is known as withdrawal from
heroin. Some of its symptoms are listed below:
· Anxieties
· Sudden fear
· Retching and
diarrhea
· Bone and muscle
pain
· Problem in sleeping
· Cold flashes
· Uncontrollable
movement of the extremities
Suboxone treatment -
an essential part of medication-assisted therapies
The therapeutic
approach to reducing heroin addiction is specific for individual patients. However,
physicians rely more on medication-assisted therapies (MATs) that couples
psychological counseling, behavioral therapy, and medications to gradually free
a patient from heroin addiction.
One of the most
familiar brand names associated with heroin addiction treatment is Suboxone. It
is a combination of two drugs - buprenorphine and naloxone - that function
chemically to reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and lessen a
patient's opioid reliance in the long term.
These medicines
block the opioid receptors in the brain and lessen the bindings of heroin.
Therefore, the patient cannot get the usual high-this helps to reduce the
patient's dependence on heroin.
However, you should
consult the experts at Cooperative Recovery - because uncontrolled use could
generate side effects in the Medicaid
Suboxone Treatment.