As heroin use continues to rise in the United States, many people are left wondering why heroin is so addictive. If you have a loved one who abuses heroin, you are probably familiar with the toll this drug can have on a person. From negative physical consequences to overdose and even death, it’s no secret that heroin is dangerous. So, why is heroin so addictive and what can you do to overcome a heroin addiction? Continue reading to learn more about heroin’s addictive properties and how heroin rehab in San Juan Capistrano can help.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a member of the opioid drug family. It is derived from morphine, which is an extremely potent pain killer. Heroin, however, has been more heavily processed so that it is more potent and takes effect more quickly than other opioids.^[1]

Heroin is also more affordable and easier to obtain than prescription opioids. It is this potency and ease of access that makes heroin both very addictive, and very dangerous. In fact, many people only use heroin one or two times before they become dependent on it, and are unable to quit using it.^[2]

Why is Heroin So Addictive?

There are several factors that cause heroin to be highly addictive. Heroin has lasting effects on your brain, making it easy to become addicted, and difficult to quit using. Additionally, discontinuing heroin use causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which can be dangerous.

Heroin’s Effect on the Brain

Heroin is a type of semi-synthetic opioid. When you ingest any type of opioid, it attaches to naturally occurring opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors affect areas of the brain that deal with pain, pleasure, and breathing.^[3]. Once ingested, heroin causes you to feel a euphoric feeling, very relaxed, and drowsy. For many users, the high from heroin provides a temporary reprieve from feelings of intense stress, anxiety, and emotional and physical pain. Once the effects of heroin wear off, the original feelings come back with more intensity, causing you to feel even worse than before. This is the first step that leads to addiction.

After continued use, heroin changes your brain chemistry. Regular heroin use causes your brain to produce less dopamine, serotonin, and other chemicals you need to feel happy and relaxed. So, when you have been using heroin, you will no longer experience the same pleasure or happiness you used to feel from things you love. You will also require more and more heroin to achieve the same feelings of euphoria. This further leads to addiction. You will seek what your brain needs to feel pleasure, and continue to increase the amount necessary.^[4]

Heroin Withdrawal

The symptoms caused by heroin withdrawal can start as soon as a few hours after using heroin, even for the first time. Common withdrawal symptoms can include:

Bone and muscle pain
Restlessness
Insomnia
Gastrointestinal upset.

The symptoms of withdrawal are persistent and strong, making it extremely difficult to stop using heroin.

The intense high, the negative impact on brain chemistry, and the difficult withdrawal symptoms caused by heroin create a perfect storm of addiction. It is these three factors that make heroin so highly addictive, and difficult to overcome. Thankfully, there is hope. Ocean Hills Recovery can help.

Heroin Rehab in San Juan Capistrano Can Help

It is vital to seek help to overcome heroin addiction. Ocean Hills Recovery is here for you. Medical detox can help you safely and comfortably rid your body of heroin. Once it is out of your system, dealing with the underlying issues that lead to addiction is the next step. Our heroin rehab in San Juan Capistrano offers different treatment plans to best fit your needs.

If you are ready to break the cycle of addiction and get your life back, contact Ocean Hills Recovery today.

Sources:

[1] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin

[2] https://www.verywellmind.com/what-heroin-effects-feel-like-22047

[3] https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/heroin

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Why Is Heroin So Addictive & How Can Heroin Rehab in San Juan Capistrano Help?