What is heroin?
Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is known to the medical community as part of the opiate family, but not one of the prescription opiates we typically hear about, such as pain medications. Heroin is known for being crafted from the extracts of poppy plants. Because of a variety of available methods to ingest, inject, and smoke heroin, many addicted individuals seek the drug out. Unfortunately, those who take this drug do not realize that it is one of the most challenging addictions as it heavily damages the body.
Why is heroin addictive?
In its original form, heroin is powdery and can be ingested through the nose by snorting and can be made, or “cut,” with a variety of impure substances. Depending on where it is acquired, many people that are addicted to this drug take it without any idea of exactly what is in it.
The most dangerous method of taking the drug is injection, because that is often done using needles that are frequently shared and unclean, causing the spread of many infections, including HIV and Hepatitis A, B, and C. This is just one of the health issues that come with heroin use.
Heroin that is injected into the veins or muscle tissues in the form of a blackened tar texture is called black tar heroin. This type of heroin is the most unclean type of heroin because the composition is often extremely impure and can deteriorate the body faster, causing respiratory, heart, and neurological issues.
All of us at Genesis Recovery want our clients to understand the severity of taking this drug. Heroin ruins the lives of users and often their friends and family. The reason this drug is so popular is mainly that stricter laws and regulations on prescription drugs make opiates harder to come by and they become too expensive, driving many addicted individuals to cheaper heroin.
A study done by the Center for Disease Control found that users believe heroin is lower in cost, has more powerful effects, and is more available to them than prescription opioids. Because of this lowered cost, those addicted to heroin are on average 18 to 25 years old. Many individuals struggling with heroin addiction are also addicted to other substances, drugs, and alcohol. The short-term effects of heroin make this drug difficult to overcome, and the short burst of euphoric effects are so intense and short-lived that users seek it out frequently.
Those more likely to develop heroin addiction include:
• Men in their early twenties
• Low-income white and black males
• Those with concurring and undiagnosed mental illness
• Those who have a family history of addiction
• Individuals affected by depression and severe anxiety
Treatment for Heroin Addiction
There are many treatments available for heroin addiction at Genesis Recovery. People often go to a detox program first, which helps remove heroin and other addictive substances from their system. It’s important that you let your intake counselor and detox team know what other drugs or substances you’ve used recently. Therapy requires a clear mind and the ability to think objectively, which is why detoxification is so crucial. We have a no tolerance policy at Genesis Recovery that makes no excuses and will not allow any substance abuse during your treatment. We know that after your detox treatment is complete, our one-on-one counseling sessions allow for more connection with your therapist.
Counseling Sessions
Our therapists look for specific personality traits, learning methods, concurring mental health conditions and interactions that are most effective for each client. They will help each client uncover the past experiences that led them to their addiction, as well as explore the events in their lives that have occurred since the start of their addiction.
12-Step Program
The 12 steps established in this Christian-based program allow individuals addicted to drugs and alcohol to admit that they have a problem and to accept the challenges facing them. During these 12-step meetings, our clients will learn the meaning of the steps and how they can call on the coping mechanisms they have learned in their sessions here at Genesis. Within these meetings, we build community and human connection as we share our experiences and listen to the struggles of our peers.
If you or someone needs heroin addiction treatment in San Diego, please call Genesis Recovery today at (619) 797-7319 and find a safe place to unlock the holistic path to recovery.
