How Meth Affects The Body
Meth abuse can cause serious physical harm even in the short term, but as abuse continues, this damage can become more severe.
As a person begins to use meth more frequently they may develop a tolerance. When a person is tolerant to meth, the dose theyre used to taking may not create the effect or pleasurable feelings they seek.
Because of this, many people will increase their dose, an action that could push them closer to addiction. The more a person uses meth, the greater the likelihood that theyll become dependent.
When a person is dependent on meth their body will likely struggle to function in a normal way when they dont take the drug. Should a person suddenly stop taking meth, or quit cold turkey, they may go into meth withdrawal.
Chasing Something That Aint Real
He sleeps in a graveyard at night and shoots up in a crypt. Its not that he wants to die, but If the heroin happens to kill him, he says, Im right where Im supposed to be.
Johnny, also 46, started using heroin at 15 because his heroes in the music world did. He played guitar and went on to rehearse and sing with a band right down the street from where he now sits on a tombstone.
He says he was married to a stripper, and his life was heaven, an existence steeped in sex, drugs and rock n roll. Now, the drug owns him.
When I do a shot of heroin, its almost like being back in my mamas womb, he says. I feel safe. Im warm. I dont have to worry about anything. Nobodys going to hurt me.
Thats how he feels, he says, even though he knows its not true. Even though he says hes dashed his hopes and dreams chasing something that aint real.
His body sways, and his words come out sluggish, signs of his current high, as he talks about those new to the heroin itch.
He watches kids who glamorize this drug like he once did and wishes he could stop them. He suggests they go home but knows some dont have good homes to go to. He wonders if, in heroin, theyve found a place where they can belong.
Johnny sees them as they wait for the same dealer. He once sat beside one who shot up and then died. He thinks about the redhead who reminds him of his own daughter so clean and pure, he says and what shes become.
Skin Damage Caused By Prescription Stimulants
Skin problems for drug abusers and alcoholics can seem like commonplace, but even prescription medicines are known to also cause skin problems and damage, particularly stimulants. There are many different types of prescription stimulants. Adderall, for example, is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder . Different prescription stimulants can cause different types of skin disorders. Not everyone will experience skin disorders from using these drugs. It all depends on your genetic makeup. Prescription stimulant use can cause rashes, hives and hypersensitivity. Angioedema can also be a reaction to prescription stimulant use. This is a swelling of the epidermis, just below the skin. Serious conditions that have been linked to prescription drug use include Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
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How Long Will I Take It For
If youre taking methadone for maintenance therapy, you will usually take it long term.
If youre taking it for detox, your dose will gradually be reduced until you do not need to take it anymore. This can take up to 12 weeks. It can sometimes be quicker, for example if youre detoxing in hospital or residential rehab.
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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Signs Of Heroin Addiction
Overview
A heroin addiction can be difficult to talk about, even with a loved one. People who experience addiction arent always honest about their substance abuse. In fact, they may not even be aware themselves of how far out of control things have gotten. Though it may be difficult, having a conversation about heroin addiction can potentially be lifesaving.
If you suspect that someone you care about is addicted to heroin, pay attention to their home, physical characteristics, and lifestyle habits. This may help you discover the truth and learn the depth of the problem. Identifying the signs of heroin addiction is an important first step toward supporting your loved ones recovery.
Tiny Orange Caps And Other Physical Evidence
Syringes come with a tiny orange cap that often gets forgotten about in the midst of a heroin addict using. Syringes may hidden in drawers but those little caps are often overlooked as a sign for the heroin user. There might be a lot of straws being used for both snorting and smoking. Empty plastic pen cases can also be used for snorting or smoking. Other things that might be lying around include water pipes, small plastic bags, razors, bottled water, rolled up dollar bills and small cotton balls.
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What To Watch For
Symptoms of wound botulism usually appear several days after injecting contaminated drugs rather than immediately. Thats because it takes several days, or even a couple of weeks, for the germs to multiply in the body and produce the toxin.
Some of the symptoms you might have are:
- Double vision
As the disease gets worse, you may develop more symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Paralysis
You can get wound botulism even if the injection site doesnt look infected.
If you or someone you know has symptoms of botulism, see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. If you do not, your symptoms may continue to get worse and can even be life-threatening. It is important to get medical care as quickly as possible, because the antitoxin and other treatments work better the earlier they are given.
Some symptoms of wound botulism can look like symptoms of opioid overdose, such as slurred speech or inability to talk, weakness, and trouble breathing. Opioids are painkilling drugs, such as oxycodone , oxymorphone , hydrocodone , and hydromorphone , as well as heroin.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if given in time, but it will not reverse the symptoms of botulism. If you or someone you know gets treatment with Naloxone, but still has symptoms of botulism, see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
The Causes Of Heroin Itching
Heroin causes many unpleasant side effects, one of which is itching. Here are a few different ways that heroin use may cause itching:
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Dermatillomania Also Known As Skin Picking Disorder
This is a mental disorder that involves body-focused repetitive behavior in this case, picking the skin. While this is officially classified as a mental health issue driven by obsession and compulsion, many people who use meth develop Dermatillomania during periods of prolonged use. The individual who suffers from this condition feels powerless to stop the behavior, even though it causes physical injury. Dermatillomania causes obvious signs of skin abuse. It involves obsessive and compulsive picking of the skin. Users may have an uncontrollable urge to pick, squeeze and even scratch their skin, causing many defects to appear. The most targeted area is the face, although some users will also pick at their arms, legs, back, stomach and chest. To be clear, Formication is the sensation of feeling bugs under the skin. Dermatillomania is the need to pick at the meth sores caused by digging into or scratching the skin to get the bugs. Also, someone with meth-induces Dermatillomania will pick on moles, scars, acne, or other skin conditions. They may also dig into their skin and create sores where there were none. Those who struggle with dermatillomania will often do the majority of their picking in only one area. Obsessive picking can lead to scarring and other types of injuries, like infections and tissue damage. The condition can even lead to disfigurement. In some cases, skin grafting is needed to treat the condition.
Heroin Chic Was A ’90s Fashion Movement
In the mid-1990s, there was a movement in fashion photography referred to as “heroin chic.” It featured waif thin, emaciated fashion models, such as Kate Moss, who looked in photos as if they were strung out on drugs. The look’s other hallmarks included blank stares, dark circles under the eyes and pale skin.
While this cultural phenomenon was taking place in fashion media, a new, cheaper version of heroin was entering the United States from Colombia, and it outcompeted heroin coming from Asia and Southeast Asia, Ciccarone said. The Colombian heroin was so cheap and pure from a street point of view that it increased both the number of heroin users and the depth of their drug use, he said.
Around this time, “heroin chic” fell out of favor, and the fashion industry replaced the superskinny look with a new trend: healthier-looking models.
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Why Do Opiate Addicts Take Benadryl
Opiates are substances derived from the naturally-occurring opium poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. They can also be synthesized from morphine, an active compound in the poppy plant. Examples of opiates are codeine, heroin, methadone, and hydrocodone. Originally, morphine serves as an analgesic or a painkiller. Its mode of action is to act on the brain and reduce pain from any area of the body.
However, opiates can quickly become addictive. Individuals who use these substances for a prolonged period report having withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop usage. Also, because of how they act on the brain, people tend to use opiates for the feelings of calm or pleasure they elicit. Therefore, individuals may resort to taking higher dosages of their prescribed opiates or switch to illegal ones like heroin to sustain this high.
Heroin Itching Due To Immune Responses And Heroin
Heroin can also make people feel itchy because of immune system responses or skin injuries.
People that abuse heroin by smoking, snorting, or injecting will have different responses to the drug based on the method of ingestion.
When heroin is injected, it can cause sores, abscesses, and long-term skin problems that may cause itchiness. Some infections and scabs can become constantly itchy.
The immune system can also activate a histamine response as a reaction to foreign substances entering the body when people abuse heroin.
The body can easily interpret heroin in the body as an allergen to be attacked, which causes an itch.
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Meth Mites And Psychosis
Meth Mites are the non-scientific term used to describe formication caused by stimulant abuse. Formication, the obsessive belief that one is being bitten by or infested by bugs and insects, is a symptom of meth-induced psychosis. Psychosis describes the condition of somebody whose thoughts and emotions have become impaired and compromised to the point that they have lost all touch with reality.
In research published by Neurologic Clinics, more than 40% of meth users admitted to drug treatment facilities reported experiencing the phenomena of meth mites. Psychosis caused by meth abuse occurs from sleep deprivation, one of the many side effects of stimulants like methamphetamine.
Meth users will go days without sleep because of repeated use. Meth increases dopamine levels in the brain followed by extreme withdrawal and increased agitation, depression, and mood swings. To continue feeling high, users will binge on the drug and will not sleep in the process.
Drug Sores On Legs And Arms
Pretty much any drug that causes skin sores can do so on the legs and arms. In particular, meth, heroin, and crack are most likely to do so. Both crack and meth sores on legs and arms are common.
These drugs can cause users to feel like there are bugs under their skin, leading to sores on arms and legs from incessant scratching.
Heroin causes sores in a different way. Heroin abuse can lead to many issues in the areas where the drug is injected. Legs and arms are the most common places to inject heroin.
Repeated heroin use can cause veins to swell, collapse, and scar. This can result in visible skin issues including scars, sores, discoloring, and deterioration.
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How Long Does It Take To Get Off Heroin
The length of time spent at an inpatient heroin rehab center varies by individual. The appropriate length of treatment depends on many factors. A commonly offered treatment duration is the 30-day program. Some heroin treatment facilities also offer 60-day and 90-day programs. In general, at least 90 days in treatment is recommended, as research has shown that anything shorter is less effective.5,6
Longer programs are available, and may provide additional support for those who have completed a 30-day program and relapsed, individuals with co-occurring mental or physical health issues, or those who lack a stable home environment. There are also heroin rehab centers that offer inpatient treatment for as long as a year. Deciding which option is right for you is an important step toward starting your recovery.
Heroin Withdrawal Signs And Symptoms
Those who are addicted to heroin not only become physically dependent on the substance, but are also afraid to stop using for fear of the symptoms they may experience when they stop using. Withdrawal symptoms from heroin can develop as soon as a few hours after sustained use. Someone who is withdrawing from longtime heroin abuse and dependence is at risk of serious medical complications and should seek professional medical personnel for help. Some effects of withdrawal include:
- Intense craving for heroin
- Severe muscle aches and pains
- Cramping in the limbs
- Feelings of heaviness of the body
- Extreme pain in muscles and bones
- Crying jags
- Death can occur when other medical conditions are present
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What Does Heroin Do
People who inject heroin will feel a euphoric surge or “rush” as it is often called. People often begin or continue using heroin because of the rush of happiness and positive feelings that come from the initial high. Following this period of euphoria, people often describe feeling like they are in a dream-like state where they feel safe and worry-free. The effects of heroin last three to four hours after each dose has been administered.
Where Do Meth Sores Form
The Face & Skin
Meth sores can occur anywhere on the body, but they tend to be worse around the head and neck. Meth mites create the sensation of bugs crawling under the skin. Picking and scratching is a problem because a meth users senses are altered and they dont experience pain.
Not all meth users experience meth mites. The more someone uses the drug, the more he or she is likely to experience skin problems. Research shows about a quarter to half of all people dependent on meth experience hallucinations or psychosis, which often includes the sensation of bugs.
The Mouth
Many people are familiar with the term meth mouth or know that people who use meth tend to have poor dental hygiene.
According to a December 2015 study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, 96 percent of meth users had cavities. More than half have untreated tooth decay. And about a third of meth users have six or more missing teeth.
Meth mouth causes teeth to blacken, rot, and eventually fall apart. Doctors believe extensive tooth decay occurs due to poor dental hygiene. The use of meth causes dry mouth and exposes teeth to high levels of acid.
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