Every year sees an increase in the number of people dependent on heroin. A CDC report indicates that in 2013, 8200 American citizens died as a result of overdose of heroin. When compared to the figures for 2002, this was a 400 percent in increase. The most affected group of people are those between 18 and 25. Addicts are also commonly addicts of prescription opioid drugs.
As a result of the skyrocketing in the rate of addiction, several treatment centers have also been established. A visit to a heroin treatment center to seek help will usually result in the detoxification of the subject as the first step. Supervision is provided by a physician during the detoxification. Other strategies are used in addition to detoxification, which include changes in lifestyle, therapy, support groups, and medication.
Withdrawing from an addition is usually not a simple process, because it can be very painful and long. The withdrawal process can take weeks depending on factors such as the level of addiction and physical health. Medications are usually prescribed to minimize the discomfort that is associated with withdrawal. These medications help the body to adjust to functioning without the drugs.
Heroin is one of the opiate drugs. Thus, it works through suppression of some functions of the central nervous system, which include heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, and respiration. When consumed, this chemical increases the amount of chemicals in the brain that cause pleasure in the body by clinging to opioid receptors. A rush of pleasure thus occurs.
The level of dependence of the brain to the substance determines how painful it is for one to withdraw from an addiction. Ease of withdrawal also depends on the level of chemical change that the addiction has caused to the brain. Withdrawal symptoms for people with mild addictions include abdominal cramps, bone aches, muscle aches, tearing, sweats, chills, excessive yawning, and nausea. On the other hand, withdrawal symptoms for moderate-level addicts include diarrhea, tremors, restlessness, agitation, vomiting, fatigue, goose bumps, and lack of focus.
Severe addiction causes severe symptoms when one is trying to withdraw. These symptoms include hypertension, depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, impaired respiration, anxiety, and drug cravings. The process of withdrawing is not considered to be life-threatening. However, psychological and medical symptoms associated with the process may be life-threatening. People often commit suicide due to depression. Thus, it is not advisable to withdraw without the assistance of a doctor.
Several medications have been invented to help addicts with withdrawal. Some of them include Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone. Methadone is a slow-acting opioid agonist. It is usually taken orally so that it can dampen the pleasurable feeling of being high while preventing withdrawal symptoms. This medication has been in use since the 60s and is considered effective, especially in cases where other medications have failed to be effective.
Buprenorphine is one of the partial opioid agonists available in the market. Its mode of action involves relieving drug cravings and in addition, it does not have any life-threatening side effects similar to other opioids. The mode of taking is oral or sublingual.
As a result of the skyrocketing in the rate of addiction, several treatment centers have also been established. A visit to a heroin treatment center to seek help will usually result in the detoxification of the subject as the first step. Supervision is provided by a physician during the detoxification. Other strategies are used in addition to detoxification, which include changes in lifestyle, therapy, support groups, and medication.
Withdrawing from an addition is usually not a simple process, because it can be very painful and long. The withdrawal process can take weeks depending on factors such as the level of addiction and physical health. Medications are usually prescribed to minimize the discomfort that is associated with withdrawal. These medications help the body to adjust to functioning without the drugs.
Heroin is one of the opiate drugs. Thus, it works through suppression of some functions of the central nervous system, which include heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, and respiration. When consumed, this chemical increases the amount of chemicals in the brain that cause pleasure in the body by clinging to opioid receptors. A rush of pleasure thus occurs.
The level of dependence of the brain to the substance determines how painful it is for one to withdraw from an addiction. Ease of withdrawal also depends on the level of chemical change that the addiction has caused to the brain. Withdrawal symptoms for people with mild addictions include abdominal cramps, bone aches, muscle aches, tearing, sweats, chills, excessive yawning, and nausea. On the other hand, withdrawal symptoms for moderate-level addicts include diarrhea, tremors, restlessness, agitation, vomiting, fatigue, goose bumps, and lack of focus.
Severe addiction causes severe symptoms when one is trying to withdraw. These symptoms include hypertension, depression, muscle spasms, insomnia, impaired respiration, anxiety, and drug cravings. The process of withdrawing is not considered to be life-threatening. However, psychological and medical symptoms associated with the process may be life-threatening. People often commit suicide due to depression. Thus, it is not advisable to withdraw without the assistance of a doctor.
Several medications have been invented to help addicts with withdrawal. Some of them include Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone. Methadone is a slow-acting opioid agonist. It is usually taken orally so that it can dampen the pleasurable feeling of being high while preventing withdrawal symptoms. This medication has been in use since the 60s and is considered effective, especially in cases where other medications have failed to be effective.
Buprenorphine is one of the partial opioid agonists available in the market. Its mode of action involves relieving drug cravings and in addition, it does not have any life-threatening side effects similar to other opioids. The mode of taking is oral or sublingual.
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