Almost three-quarters of a million Americans use heroin each year. Well over half of those people are addicted to this well-known opioid. Heroin has a range of effects on your brain and body. Some of these effects appear soon after the drug is used. Others develop gradually over time. To avoid the short- and long-term dangers of the drug, you need professional heroin treatment. This is often the best way to quit using heroin while maintaining safety at all times.
Are you or your loved one affected by heroin addiction? At Memphis Recovery Centers, we provide a realistic road to treatment and recovery. Our heroin rehab program is fully customizable. Whether you need inpatient or outpatient care, our staff of experts will support your recovery every step of the way. Learn more about heroin treatmenttoday by filling out our online form or calling 901-272-7751.
Short-Term Psychological Effects of Heroin
Perhaps the most noticeable short-term mental effect of heroin is euphoria. Specialists use this term to describe an extreme state of pleasure not available in everyday life. The euphoric feelings triggered by heroin help explain the drug’s appeal. Many people seek to experience these feelings again and again. Unfortunately, this pace of use accelerates the path to heroin addiction. Along with euphoria, the drug typically produces an impairment of your ability to:
- Think clearly
- Make logical decisions
- Control your impulses
The short-term psychological effects of heroin may also include changes in other higher mental functions.
Long-Term Psychological Effects of Heroin
One of the most telling long-term mental effects of heroin is psychological dependence. This state creates an emotional or psychological need for the drug. Along with physical dependence, it helps drive the compulsive drug-seeking behavior typical of addiction. Long-term heroin use also increases your risk of developing certain kinds of mental illness. Examples of these illnesses include antisocial personality disorder and depression.
Short-Term Physical Effects of Heroin
When heroin enters your system, it produces a range of short-term physical effects. Common examples of these effects include:
- Skin flushing
- Mouth dryness
- Extremely itchy skin
- A sense of heaviness in your legs and arms
- Bouts of nausea and vomiting
If you take too much heroin, you can also overdose.
Long-Term Physical Effects of Heroin
Physical dependence is the most predictable physical effect of long-term heroin use. This state refers to a chemical need inside your brain for more of the drug. If you don’t meet this need, you will likely experience symptoms of withdrawal.
Other long-term physical effects of heroin are also possible. Potential examples include skin abscesses, collapsed veins, abdominal cramping, and chronic constipation. You may also experience things such as lung or heart problems and kidney or liver disease.
The Importance of a Heroin Rehab Program
All addiction specialists recommend that you seek help when trying to break a heroin addiction. This is true for several reasons. First, anyone who tries to quit using heroin has strong risks for relapse. Heroin rehab programs help you avoid relapsing as you make progress toward initial recovery. They also help you learn how to stay drug-free in the future.
Overdose prevention is another key benefit of a heroin rehab program. People who relapse while in treatment have elevated overdose risks. By steering clear of a relapse, you help ensure your safety and well-being during recovery.
Begin to Heal in the Heroin Rehab Program at Memphis Recovery Centers
Are you considering entering into a heroin rehab program? At Memphis Recovery, we offer multiple treatment programs to suit your needs. Your options include inpatient care and two forms of outpatient care. Whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe, you’ll find an option that supports your choice to overcome heroin addiction. To find out more about our affordable, effective approach to recovery, call us today at 901-272-7751, or you can also contact us through our online form.
