Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid that has affected countless lives worldwide. Hope Lodge understands the devastating consequences of heroin abuse and offer comprehensive, compassionate treatment to help our clients reclaim control of their lives.
How Does Heroin Addiction Develop?
Heroin is part of the opioid family, which includes prescription painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin. When used as prescribed, these medications can provide vital pain relief, but unfortunately, they also have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Many states passed stricter laws regulating prescription opioid access in an effort to curb the crisis. However, this had the unintended consequence of forcing people to turn to heroin.
Many heroin users report that their addiction began with prescription painkillers. Heroin is often easier to obtain on the black market, making it an attractive alternative for those struggling with opioid dependence.
How Heroin Affects the Brain and Body
Heroin produces intense pleasure and a powerful sense of well-being by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This high can be incredibly seductive, quickly turning casual use into physical dependence and addiction. Repeated heroin use short-circuits the brain’s natural reward pathways. Over time, your brain will be unable to produce feelings of pleasure without the drug, leaving you trapped in a cycle of seeking more heroin to feel “normal.”
Heroin addiction takes a significant emotional and physical toll. While the initial euphoria may provide temporary relief from pain or emotional distress, long-term heroin use causes widespread damage to nearly every organ and system in the body.
- Chronic constipation and stomach cramps are common among long-term heroin users.
- In men, heroin can cause sexual dysfunction, while women may experience irregular menstrual cycles.
- Depression and other mood disorders often develop because of heroin use.
- You may have difficulty concentrating and making sound decisions when you are on drugs.
- Heroin is a central nervous system suppressant. When people are “on the nod” – profoundly relaxed and alternating between consciousness and semi-consciousness – they can gradually stop breathing, which is how many accidental overdoses occur.
- Prolonged heroin use can cause lasting damage to your kidneys and liver, leading to chronic health conditions.
- Heroin addiction increases your risk of heart disease and can lead to fatal heart failure.
The Challenge of Quitting Heroin
Heroin withdrawal can be a physically and emotionally grueling experience. The symptoms often begin only a few hours after the last dose, and they can include:
- Severe muscle and bone pain
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Cold sweats and chills
- Intense cravings
Withdrawal may be overwhelming enough to drive people back to heroin use to alleviate the discomfort. Being physically and psychologically dependent on heroin makes quitting without professional help incredibly challenging and dangerous. That’s why medical detox, immediately followed by comprehensive addiction treatment, are critical components of a successful recovery.
Why Choose Hope Lodge for Heroin Addiction Treatment?
Hope Lodge offers the structure, supervision and support you need to safely detox from heroin. Our experienced team of addiction specialists provides personalized care to address each client’s unique needs.
We understand that heroin addiction is a complex disorder with mental, physical and emotional consequences. Our Lake Arrowhead and Costa Mesa treatment programs heal the whole person and provide the tools necessary for lifelong sobriety.
- Medical detox: Medically managed detoxification gives you round-the-clock monitoring to ease unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, providing a stable foundation for the next stages of treatment.
- Residential treatment: Immerse yourself in the recovery process at our private retreats. We intentionally keep group sizes small, so each client receives a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.
- Outpatient care: This transitional program is an ideal blend of evidence-based counseling and independent living.
- Aftercare planning and relapse prevention: Hope Lodge has developed a step-down level of care for those who need to continue receiving therapeutic services while confronting real-world challenges.
Imagine the Possibilities of Recovery
Heroin addiction is a destructive disease with dangerous long-term effects, making professional help critical. Don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact Hope Lodge in California for the comprehensive, compassionate care you need to reclaim your life. We integrate wellness, cutting-edge therapies and specialized extracurriculars that put our clients’ needs first.