Heroin is typed as an opioid drug made from morphine, which is a natural substance taken out of the seed pod of various poppy plants. It comes in the form of either white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Individuals will often ingest the drug by injecting via needle, sniffing, snorting, or smoking it. Some will even mix heroin with crack cocaine, a practice called “speedballing.”
Once ingested, heroin enters the brain rapidly and binds to the brain’s opioid receptors on cells located in various areas, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure and in controlling heart rate, sleeping and breathing. This process can produce high dopamine levels in your brain and create a euphoric feeling. However, your body can quickly become dependent on the substance.
Some prescription drugs are partially or fully synthetic opioids, which mimic the same properties as natural opiates like heroin. These drugs are also highly addictive and can create a physical dependency. Examples of synthetic opioids include oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl.
No matter the substance, our opioid treatment center in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, can help you break free. Hope for Tomorrow provides comprehensive care for anyone who wants to make the change for a happier, healthier life. Discover what our local treatment for heroin addiction can do for you.
When initially using opioids, individuals often report feeling a “rush”, or surge of euphoric pleasure. However, there are other common negative effects. The most common short-term side effects of opioid use disorder are:
Individuals who use opioids for extended periods of time may experience:
Other potential effects include clogging of blood vessels leading to lungs, liver, kidneys, or permanent brain damage. Also, sharing drug injection equipment such as needles and bands with impaired judgement of the drug use can increase risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
The major complication of opioid, such as heroin, increase in usage often leads to overdose. A heroin overdose occurs when an individual uses an enough amount of the drug to produce a life-threatening reaction or death. When an individual overdoses on heroin, their breathing often slows down or stops altogether. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches their brain, a condition called “hypoxia”. Hypoxia can have short and long-term mental effects and affects the nervous system and can lead to coma and permanent brain damage.
The caring staff at Hope For Tomorrow are equipped and ready to help you or a loved one break free from opioid dependence.
Get Help TodayOpioid use disorder is a life-threatening condition. At Hope for Tomorrow, we treat individuals affected by addiction with comprehensive care. We are a judgment-free, open-door opioid addiction treatment center serving Point Pleasant, West Virginia. When you take the first step toward recovery with our team, we may recommend any of the following treatment plans:
Seeking treatment for opioid use disorder takes courage and vulnerability. At Hope for Tomorrow, we welcome our patients with open arms because we know it may not have been easy to get here. When you begin treatment for opioid addiction at our Point Pleasant clinic, you can:
At Hope for Tomorrow, you’ll receive individualized care that goes above and beyond expectations. Our team is full of compassionate medical professionals that want to help you make a change. At our opioid addiction treatment center in West Virginia, we empower you to take back control so you can enjoy your life again.
Don’t let opioid use disorder ruin your life. The caring and compassionate clinical team at Hope For Tomorrow is here for you to rediscover life free from addiction. Call 304-857-6494 to speak with our admissions team today and learn more about our opioid addiction treatments
