Heroin Addiction Treatment in Atlanta, GA

Heroin is an opioid produced from morphine. The natural substance is from the seed pod of opium poppies. Heroin binds to opioid receptor sites throughout the body, particularly the central nervous system. Heroin is highly potent, creating a euphoric high and desirable relaxation. Forms of heroin are a white or brown powder or a sticky substance labeled black tar heroin. 

Heroin travels quickly to the brain to bind with the opioid receptors on cells directly responsible for feelings of pleasure and pain. These areas of the brain control essential functions such as heart rate, sleeping, and breathing.

Heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta begins with medically monitored detox programs to avoid dangerous withdrawal symptoms once dependence is present. Those using heroin inject, snort, sniff, or smoke the drug, but some people mix heroin with crack cocaine, called speedballing. 

The short-term effects of heroin include any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Flushing of the skin
• Arms and legs feel heavy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth and itchiness
• Foggy mental function
• Nodding in and out of consciousness

The long-term effects of heroin include any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Collapsed veins from multiple injections
• Kidney and liver disease
• Infection of the heart lining
• Insomnia
• Lung complications, such as pneumonia
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Development or escalation of mental health symptoms
• Sexual dysfunction

Tolerance is quickly achievable through the misuse of heroin. As tolerance builds, higher dosages are necessary to achieve the effects. This cycle is how addiction develops. Heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta provides an assessment and evaluation with medical and mental health professionals to determine the level of addiction, the patient’s physical condition, and the patient’s comprehensive history. 

Empowered Recovery Center offers heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta and addresses the underlying causes of each case. Examining the grounds of the substance use disorder will help achieve long-term sobriety. Several treatment options include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. If inpatient rehab is necessary, the center will issue a referral. 

Heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta expounds upon the dangers heroin abuse presents. Heroin contains unknown substances, typically sugar, starches, and powdered milk, which can clog blood vessels, ultimately leading to lung, liver, kidney, and brain problems.

Sharing drug injection paraphernalia can also increase the risk of developing infectious diseases. The adverse signs and symptoms of heroin addiction include psychological, physical, and mental factors. 

It is not surprising that the physical signs of heroin addiction represent outward signals of unwell, setting the alarm of distress:

• Slow breathing, runny nose, and pinpoint pupils
• Flushed skin, often combined with scabs and sores on the skin
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Insomnia

Family, friends, and coworkers often recognize the negative behavioral symptoms of heroin addiction, such as:

• Withdrawal from participating in activities, school, work, and family functions
• Lying or deception about current activities
• Isolating oneself from friends, family, and coworkers
• Owning drug paraphernalia such as needles and syringes

Very obvious to friends and family of those with a heroin use disorder are the signs and symptoms of mental impairment while taking heroin:

• Inability to focus or use sound judgment
• Mood swings and confusion
• Defensiveness and anxiety
• Self-imposed isolation

Heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta provides that addiction is a chronic disease. The main symptom of this disease is compulsive drug seeking and use. Addiction disrupts the brain’s healthy functioning and affects the brain’s neural pathways that control stress, self-control, and the all-important reward system. Biological and environmental factors may increase the risk of addiction to heroin. 

The biological factors that increase a person’s risk of addiction include genetics, gender, ethnicity, and stage of development. Most of a person’s risk of addiction stems from epigenetics, which is the effects of environmental factors on genetic components. Environmental factors include a chaotic home, peer pressure, a family history of addiction, and community factions. Finally, co-occurring mental health conditions occur in approximately half of those with a substance use disorder. 

Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta offers a medically monitored detox program, partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient program, and outpatient program to treat heroin addiction. These treatment options allow individuals to maintain life responsibilities with family and work while receiving heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta. 

The physical and psychological dependence on heroin are the challenging factors of a substance use disorder treated by detoxification. When heroin usage dwindles or ends, withdrawal symptoms begin causing extreme physical discomfort and psychological distress. The physical dangers of detox with increased anxiety are a concern because of the adverse effects on the patient. The safest choice for detox is a medically monitored detox program with an option for medication-assisted treatment, which also adds additional protection from relapse. 

Heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta offers several evidence-based, proven methods and holistic therapies for successful recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very successful in treating heroin addiction. This form of treatment helps change behaviors to manage a substance-free lifestyle. Individual therapy helps delve into what triggers the need for a substance and the urge to use it. Learning new coping mechanisms for a healthy approach to addressing stress and challenges can help prevent future relapse. 

Individual, group, and family therapies are vital treatments in heroin addiction treatment in Atlanta. Group therapy reinforces a foundation for new peer relationships while offering a chance to build trust and the ability to be vulnerable in a safe environment. Family therapy can help repair the damage heroin addiction can cause in the most important relationships. Holistic, trauma and equine therapies are available and have been very successful additions to primary evidence-based therapies. 

Those seeking relief from a heroin addiction can find successful treatment options with Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta. Reclaim sobriety and begin a substance-free lifestyle by entering our addiction treatment programs today. Our staff offers the highest level of professionalism, understanding, and excellence in treatment options.

Contact us today to receive more information concerning heroin addiction treatment.