Much has been done to educate the public about opioid addiction, but there is still a lot of misunderstanding about heroin. If you or someone in your life is addicted to heroin, you understand how powerful it is. The safest and most effective way to recover from heroin addiction is to seek help from a heroin addiction treatment program like the one we offer at Harmony Hills. To learn more about the benefits of a heroin addiction treatment program, reach out at 855.494.0357.
Heroin’s History
In the late 1800s, heroin was developed to serve as a less potent pain reliever than morphine, to which many Civil War soldiers had become addicted. It was legal until the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act made opioids available only by prescription in 1914. Since then, many have struggled with heroin addiction, but it wasn’t until recently that heroin addiction became part of an overall opioid epidemic affecting millions.
Understanding Heroin Addiction
Heroin is an opioid that works by attaching to opioid receptors, releasing a rush of dopamine that creates an almost instant feeling of euphoria. In large part, due to the way heroin addiction is often portrayed in movies and TV, there remain many misperceptions about it. The simple fact is that heroin addiction knows no boundaries and affects people of all walks of life.
A dangerous misconception about heroin is that it is safe to use occasionally. In reality, heroin is not safe to use in any amount. Because it is so powerful, physical dependence and tolerance can develop after just one use. For those who become addicted, withdrawal symptoms can begin to occur just a few hours after use, leading to the powerful cycle of addiction.
Research has shown that one of four people who try heroin will develop a dependency on it. The short- and long-term effects of heroin addiction are many. In addition to the social impacts like loss of employment, damaged relationships, financial instability, and legal problems, heroin addiction has physical risks, including:
- Heart and respiratory problems
- Liver and kidney disease
- HIV and Hepatitis B or C
- Skin disease and abscesses
- Seizures
- Overdose
Many who suffer from heroin addiction are aware of its risks to their well-being. From the outside, it is easy to think that people can stop using “if they just try.” Unfortunately, the physical and psychological dependencies that heroin addiction lead to are so powerful that it is nearly impossible to break the cycle of addiction without professional help from a heroin treatment program.
What Are the Benefits of a Heroin Treatment Program?
The first step of any heroin treatment program is detox to remove all traces of heroin from the system. If you or a loved one are addicted to heroin, you know that the withdrawal symptoms can be intense. Fear of going through withdrawal is one of the main reasons people addicted to heroin are reluctant to stop. At Harmony Hills, we offer a medically supervised heroin detox program in a private environment with around-the-clock assistance to ensure to safety and comfort of our clients.
Following detox, you will be ready to begin the work to lead to a lifetime of recovery. Through your individualized treatment plan, you will learn about heroin addiction in a safe environment that allows you to focus on your recovery. Among the benefits of a heroin treatment program are that you will:
- Break the cycle of addiction
- Uncover the underlying issues that contributed to your addiction
- Develop new habits and coping strategies
- Learn about relapse prevention
- Have the opportunity to repair damaged relationships
- Receive therapy for past trauma
- Learn how to establish healthy boundaries
At Harmony Hills, all of this takes place on a beautiful rural campus that offers numerous amenities that allow you to tend to your nutritional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs as part of your recovery.
Call Harmony Hills for Heroin Addiction Treatment Today
Recovery from heroin addiction takes dedication and time. In the Harmony Hills heroin treatment program, you or your loved one will not only receive the best professional care but will find support from a strong community of peers who understand the difficulties of heroin addiction. Call us today at 855.494.0357 to find out how you can change your life today.
