Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Heroin Addiction
The signs and symptoms of heroin addiction can vary from person to person, but generally, individuals addicted to heroin:
1. Alternate Between Drowsy and Wakeful States of Consciousness
After the initial rush ends, people who use heroin experience a trance-like state that shifts between wakefulness and drowsiness. During this period of time, which is often referred to as nodding out, individuals minds become cloudy. Generally, individuals nodding out look like people who are trying to stay awake. Their heads nod and simultaneously drop as they get sleepy and then suddenly, they jerk awake. The process usually continues for a couple of hours.
Nodding out happens because heroin is an opioid sedative that causes individuals to feel alert one moment and sleepy the next. This may seem harmless, but the reality is nodding out is quite dangerous. Users can easily lose consciousness, slip into a comatose state, or nod off and never wake up again. Individuals using heroin may try to disguise nodding out as everyday fatigue, but alternating between wakefulness and drowsiness for hours after a euphoric high is most often a sign of heroin addiction.
2. Wear Long-Sleeved Shirts or Pants Regardless of The Weather
3. Possess Drug Paraphernalia
- Syringes
- Nasal spray bottles which are used to snort a heroin and water mixture
- Antihistamine boxes which individuals use to counteract histamine release
- Small cotton balls, Q-tips, or pieces of a cigarette filter
In addition, heroin can:
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Why Do Heroin Users Often Itch And Scratch Themselves Learn Why Itchiness Often Accompanies Opioid Use And How To Manage It
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Wondering why heroin makes you itch? Itching is a frequently observed behavior in people struggling with heroin addiction. Whats interesting is that its not just heroin that makes people itch all opioids can make people feel itchy. Why is that?
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What Drugs Cause Skin Picking
This may be a sign that theyre struggling with a substance abuse problem, particularly if other unusual or uncharacteristic behaviours accompany it. Scabs or skin lesions linked to drug abuse may be caused by various factors, depending on the drugs used. Various medications may cause these skin patches, sores, or scabs. Lets take a look at the most common medications that cause skin problems in addicts.
Symptoms Of Opiate Abuse Include Itching
In some cases, an individual will continue to take an opiate medication despite the presence of uncomfortable physical side effects like itchy skin. If this is the case, it might be because an opioid abuse disorder is present. If you believe that you or someone you love has been struggling with an opiate abuse disorder, there are several telltale symptoms to keep an eye out for, including:
- Intense psychological cravings
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While These Drugs Can Cause Scabs Or Lesions On The Skin There Are Plenty Of Other Health Risks Associated With Addiction
All of these symptoms are potentially very dangerous, so it is always suggested you seek medical care in order to get the help you need. No drug is worth the permanent damage that may be caused to your body or mind from prolonged and consistent drug use. Drug abuse is the cause of a number of other, very serious health risks.
If you are wanting to get sober but are worried about the detox, then we are here to help. Here At More Than Rehab, we know just how difficult that getting sober can be, as many of us have been there before, and all we want to do is help to make that process easier.
We believe that everybody deserves the chance to have a healthy, sober, and fulfilling life, so we have many different types of treatment programs that are designed to fit your needs. We truly care about the health and well-being of both you and your family. Call us any time of day, 24/7, 365 days of the year and we will be here to answer your call. We would like nothing more than to give you the tools for recovery and put you on the right path!
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Behavioral Signs Of Drug Abuse
When substance use takes hold of someones life, new priorities and feelings will control how they behave.
This results in rapid or noticeable changes from what was previously considered normal for this person. Daily routines and activities get rearranged or abandoned, and relationships with friends and loved ones come under stress. If you or someone you know is turning into someone unrecognizable, it could be a consequence of drug abuse.
Some changes to watch for are:
1. Struggling with Limits:
This can manifest as urges to take a prescription drug at a higher dose than prescribed or continuing after the health problem it treats has ended. Addiction makes it hard to follow even self-prescribed rules. If you have set yourself a self-imposed use limit but cannot stop yourself, this is a concerning sign.
2. Loss of Interest:
Substance dependency takes over the minds reward system. Take note if someone is becoming complacent in realms they used to take great pride in or apathetic towards the people or hobbies they usually cherish.
It may mean they are funneling their energy toward feeding the impulse of using drugs. Frequent failure to show up or follow through on plans, lack of enthusiasm, or dulling of talents can all indicate an underlying struggle.
3. Mood Swings:
4. Reclusive and Private Behavior:
5. Defensiveness:
6. Erratic Behavior:
7. Changes in Sleep Habits:
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Medical Complications Of Heroin Addiction
If you or someone you care about is addicted to heroin, its important to get help. Heroin is a powerful opioid that can cause dangerous complications. Sometimes, these complications are life-threatening. For example, heroin use can cause miscarriages. Some people contract infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, from sharing needles. A fatal drug overdose is also possible.
Long-term heroin use damages many organs. People with a history of heroin addiction may develop kidney, liver, or heart disease because of their drug use. Heroin also damages their immune system. They may experience frequent infections because their immune system is unable to fight off bacteria.
Additives in heroin can also coagulate and clog blood vessels, such as arteries and veins. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and permanent organ damage. Some additives are deadly and can kill a person within minutes. Its nearly impossible to tell whats been added to heroin without conducting tests. Heroin and other illegal drugs may be laced with dangerous substances that are only identified after a tragic event occurs.
Babies born to people who use heroin are often underweight. If a mother uses heroin while shes pregnant, the baby may be born physically addicted to heroin too. If this happens, the baby may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome. They will need to detox and go through withdrawal after birth.
Can Opioid Addiction Be Prevented Or Avoided
Many people are able to use opioids safely without becoming addicted to them. But their potential for addiction is high. This is especially true if you use them for long-term pain management.
In general, you are more likely to avoid addiction if you can use opioid drugs no longer than a week. Research shows that using them for more than a month can make you dependent on them.
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How Heroin Is Used
Many people smoke or snort heroin. Most users inject it into their veins. Thatâs the most dangerous way to take it, because itâs easier to overdose and you can catch a disease from a dirty needle.
No matter how you take it, heroin gets to your brain quickly. Itâs also easy to get addicted. Even after you use it just one or two times, it can be hard to stop yourself from using again. Learn more about why heroin is so addictive.
Right after you take heroin, you get a rush of good feelings and happiness. Then, for several hours, you feel as if the world has slowed down. You think slowly and may walk slowly. Some users say you feel like you’re in a dream.
Heroin blocks your body from getting pain messages and slows your heart rate and breathing. If you overdose, you may stop breathing and die.
Many people start using heroin to deal with anxiety, worries, and other stressors. One study found that 75% of users had mental health issues such as depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.
Drugs Cause A Number Of Problematic Skin Conditions
If you have a problem with substance abuse, or you are a recreational user, you should know about the most common skin problems caused by certain drugs . Sure, you might not be so concerned about infections and scars on your body they can be hidden but what about your beautiful face? You only get one.and it is on display for the world to see! Make no mistake about it you are not exempt from having some of the skin conditions we will talk about in this article. They can happen to anybody who abuses intoxicating substances. If you are not careful, you could do permanent damage that will leave you disfigured. Of course, this will leave you wishing you had never done these flesh-rotting drugs in the first place. But, by then, it will be too late.
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Skin Issues From Heroin Use
Probably the most commonly seen effect of heroin use on the skin is in those who inject the drug rather than smoke or snort it. Repeated penetration of the skin while seeking a vein can lead to venous sclerosis, which is a scarring of the veins, also known as track marks. Venous sclerosis can also lead to a range of other problems, including skin infections, abscesses and cellulitis.
The debilitating effects of heroin can be seen in several photo essays showing users years apart to illustrate the drugs impact on the skin and overall health.
Necrotizing skin lesions have also been found in users who injected heroin subcutaneously, in a practice known as skin popping. Skin popping leads to tissue trauma and allows bacteria to penetrate the skin. It may also introduce cutting agents, which can irritate the skin. People who use heroin in this way are five times as likely to suffer from abscesses or cellulitis.
Heroin has been known to reduce moisture content in the epidermis, causing dry, itchy skin, often due to cutting agents.
Another common condition for heroin users is an itchy hives-like rash caused by cell degranulation and the release of histamines. Intense itching happens directly after the drug is injected and can last for several days.
Finding Quality Treatment For Substance Use Disorders
This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.
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Some Familiar Phrases Originated From Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
People who are addicted to heroin have a very difficult time overcoming their addiction, Ciccarone said. Getting off of heroin is a long-term process that requires a great deal of individual commitment and a lot of patience from family and friends.
But our language has been influenced by what happens when people quit using heroin. For example, the expression “kicking the habit” is thought to have originated from the kicking leg movements seen in people going through heroin withdrawal.
During heroin use, a person’s muscles become lethargic and heavy, and move slowly, Ciccarone said. So when a heroin abuser goes through withdrawal, his or her leg muscles may become twitchy, crampy and uncontrollable, which can lead to kicking, he said.
Experiencing cold flashes with goose bumps is another heroin withdrawal symptom that may be responsible for the phrase “going cold turkey.”
When a person withdraws from heroin, the tissues in the skin become more active, and it goes from being calm to hyperactive, Ciccarone said. This results in goose bumps and probably led to the notion of going “cold turkey.”
These expressions are old terms and likely originated 50 to 70 years ago, Ciccarone said.
Why Do Meth Users Have Sores
Meth users get some of the worst sores of any drug users. Meth affects the skin in more ways than one. Here are some ways that meth can lead to sores on the face and body:
- Formication: Formication is a word that refers to the sensation of insects crawling under your skin. This feeling is a common side effect of meth abuse. Many people refer to this sensation as meth mites. People with meth mites scratch obsessively, leading to scabs and sores. The sores can scar and become infected, leading to more serious health concerns.
- Acne: Meth makes it difficult for the body to repair itself. Acne commonly develops in meth users, and it can become quite severe in some cases. If users pick at the acne, sores can develop. This is one way meth scabs on the face can happen.
- Burns: Meth can burn users in multiple ways. If a pipe is used to smoke the drug, it can get very hot and cause burns around the mouth. Additionally, many meth addicts get burned while trying to make the drug. The ingredients used in the process commonly explode, causing burns to the face and body.
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How We Can Help
In many cases, heroin addiction requires professional help to overcome. If you or someone you love are struggling with heroin use disorder, High Focus Centers is here to help. Our treatment staff takes a holistic, integrated approach that helps clients overcome drug addiction and achieve long-term wellness. Speak with a High Focus Centers treatment specialist today and start your journey to recovery.
The Devastating Skin Problems Caused By Meth
Meth, also known as crystal methamphetamine, has the most notorious reputation for causing skin problems because of drug use. Even short-term meth use can have a profound negative impact on your skin, as well as your health. Its easy to spot someone who is struggling with a meth addiction. The meth sores, scabs, and scars on their face tell the story of prolonged abuse of this toxic drug. Even long after someone has quit using this substance, there will be evidence of the addiction. This can leave someone feeling as if they can never escape their past. Why? Because they can see it every time they look in the mirror.
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Signs Of Drug Abuse Or Addiction
Not every addiction looks the same.
Unfortunately, media representations have painted many misleading caricatures of how a person suffering from substance abuse disorder appears or behaves.
Often, people do not acknowledge that they have a problem, and friends or family members are the first to notice something has changed. If you are worried that you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, uncertainty makes it hard to proceed. However, there are some telltale signs and symptoms to help you identify any potential issues.
Lifestyle Changes Caused By Heroin Addiction
A heroin addiction may be hard to identify at first. Over time, addiction can become more noticeable as it takes over the users life. For example, it may seem like someone whos addicted to heroin worries more about getting their next dose than anything else.
Other behavior and lifestyle changes can accompany heroin use. Heroin injections leave needle marks, so many addicts wear long-sleeve clothing to hide their scars, even in warm weather. If theyre worried their addiction will be discovered, they may withdraw from friends and family members. Their work and personal relationships may suffer. Social and personal isolation is common among people with addiction.
People who are addicted to heroin may also have trouble maintaining their health and personal hygiene.
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The Link Between Addiction And Skin Picking
When a person finds an imperfection on their skin, such as a scab or scar, they develop skin picking disorders. They start picking at the defect, causing more damage to the area and preventing healing. This leads to a vicious loop in which the skin picking addiction wins. Skin picking is particularly risky for those suffering from heroin itching or meth mites .
Illegal drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin negatively impact your skins well-being. Heroin is a CNS depressant that delays heart rate, blood circulation, respiration, bodily functions, and metabolic rate.
Irritation from heroin and meth mites can cause sores to worsen, and someone with a skin picking addiction will continue to pick at them. Worse yet, the stress of detox may cause patients to pick at their sores, scabs, or skin even more, especially if they have anxiety or skin picking disorders.
Substance Use While Pregnant And Breastfeeding
8.4 million females ages 18 and older have misused prescription drugs in the past year.1
The number of women with opioid use disorder at labor and delivery quadrupled from 1999-2014.3
Substance use during pregnancy can be risky to the womans health and that of her children in both the short and long term. Most drugs, including opioids and stimulants, could potentially harm an unborn baby. Use of some substances can increase the risk of miscarriage and can cause migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure in the mother, which may affect her fetus. In addition, the risk of stillbirth is 2 to 3 times greater in women who smoke tobacco or marijuana, take prescription pain relievers, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy.2 Surveys suggest that more women are using marijuana during pregnancy, which has health professionals concerned. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that marijuana can result in smaller babies, especially in women who use marijuana frequently in the first and second trimesters. ACOG recommends that pregnant women or women wanting to get pregnant should stop using marijuana, even if it is for medical purposes, and discuss options with their doctors that will be healthier for their babies.4Pregnant women should check with their health care provider before using any medicines or substances.
Symptoms of NAS in a newborn can develop immediately or up to 14 days after birth. Some of these symptoms include:
- blotchy skin coloring
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