Heroin addiction is difficult to discuss, even when your loved one is the one struggling with it. Many individuals who struggle with addiction have a hard time discussing its activities and, more often than not, are incapable of honestly admitting their addiction concerns. Some individuals who struggle with heroin may not understand that they are addicted to the substance or even pay attention to how uncontrolled the use has become. However, even though heroin abuse is a present and real danger in life, learning how to discuss it or start a conversation can save lives.
The best way to show someone you care about how heroin abuse is affecting their life is to observe before interacting. You can pay attention to the physical characteristics and lifestyle changes they make while paying attention to the changes in their home life. Heroin is a common substance, and its use is on the rise.
Before assuming they are addicted to heroin, you can identify the truth and discover the depth of the problem before even discussing it with them. It is very important for you, as a loved one, to understand heroin abuse. This understanding is the first step towards supporting your loved ones in their recovery.
When you know someone addicted to heroin or that shows signs of heroin abuse, learning what use of the drug looks like helps. The tools used with it are telltale signs of potential heroin abuse. Heroin is used as a drug to get high and can be smoked, snorted, or injected.
You might find pipes, needles, or even spoons with lighters nearby. Another tool you might find is rubber bands. The rubber elastic band is used to stop blood flow and puff up veins. Heroin is usually seen as a crumbly white-powder substance, but it can also have colors ranging from dark black to off-white. Heroin turns into a sticky substance and is dark in color after it is used.
When an individual has a heroin addiction, there are common symptoms, like falling asleep suddenly, slow breathing, dry mouth, lack of responsibility, loss of self-control, vomiting, and constipation. These signs can happen rapidly.
Most individuals that use heroin feel euphoria within a matter of seconds of using the drug. However, there are many cases where heroin doesn’t produce reactions quickly but shows the negative signs mentioned above as soon as the substance enters the brain. You might notice your loved one is confused or has a hard time making decisions. However, heroin addiction is not the easiest thing to identify right away. Over time, however, it has noticeable signs and symptoms that can take over the lifestyle of the user.
You may notice worry or anxiety increases with a user, as they are more concerned about how to get their next dose over anything else. You may notice the user wearing long clothing to hide the injections, even in hot weather.
Many individuals who struggle with heroin use push themselves away from family and friends, as they are scared that the addiction will be an embarrassment or disappointment. Heroin influences the status of your relationship with friends and family, and social isolation increases.
As a loved one, you care about the member using, and getting them help is a priority. The best thing to remind yourself if you or someone you love is struggling with heroin abuse is to not directly interfere with the situation. Instead, reach out to a counselor to help you create an intervention, provided the situation is not life-threatening.
There are many adverse reactions individuals who have heroin addictions may experience when they find out they are going to be put through an intervention. However, addressing the addiction with professional help can avoid long-term damages, both for the person struggling with the abuse and the loved ones.
If you or someone you love shows signs and symptoms of struggling with heroin, speaking with someone you trust and who understands the addiction at its core is the next step you can take towards recovery or helping someone towards recovery.
Experts who understand addiction can provide strategies to lead your one towards recovery, rather than attempting to take that path alone. If you struggle with heroin, then admitting your concern is the first step towards your recovery. Not everyone who faces a heroin addiction will want recovery help, instead preferring guidance when refocusing their life in a healthier direction. It’s important to remember that some individuals who struggle with heroin abuse may require multiple attempts or multiple interventions before they even attempt to recover.
Once you or someone you love realizes that treatment is a way to a more positive and healthier life, the recovery process is easier to begin, manage, and maintain. NorthStar Transitions is here as an addiction recovery center that can help individuals who struggle with heroin abuse. We have counselors and professionals who understand the substance at its core and are here to educate and inform you of the best steps of getting help in recovery. If you or someone you love struggles with heroin, we advise you to contact us as soon as possible. Our professionals are dedicated to helping each individual as they embark on their path of recovery in a healthier way. Take that first step today. Through educating yourself and having a guiding hand in your life, you can get yourself out of heroin addiction and into a healthier lifestyle. You’re worth it. Call us at (303) 558-6400.
