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Heroin addiction falls under the heading of opiate addiction, which is the second leading
addiction in our society; following alcohol addiction. Heroin is noted for having the highest
euphoria potential of all opiates and is, therefore, prone to cause psychological addiction
even if the user were to not become physically addicted. Addiction is defined as a state of
physiological or psychological dependence on a drug liable to have a damaging effect.
The withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin addiction are usually experienced shortly
before the time of the next scheduled dose, meaning at the time that the last dose has been
metabolized and is no longer binding to the pleasure receptor sites in the brain. Early
symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, and sweating. Restlessness, irritability,
loss of appetite, nausea, tremors, and the craving for heroin appear as the syndrome progresses
and soon occupies the entire attention of the withdrawing person. Severe depression and vomiting
are common. The heart rate and blood pressure are elevated. Chills alternating with flushing
and excessive sweating are also characteristic symptoms. Pains in the bones and muscles of the
back and extremities occur, as do muscle spasms. At any point during this process, a suitable
narcotic can be administered that will dramatically reverse the withdrawal symptoms. Without
some type of intervention, the syndrome will run its course, and most of the overt physical
symptoms will disappear within 7 to 10 days. If you picture being very sick at your stomach
and experience the symptoms of the most severe flu you could imagine, and knowing that if
you have one dose of heroin, all of these symptoms will disappear and you will feel absolutely
normal again, then you can understand how people that suffer from heroin addiction can do
many things that would violate their values in order to secure that next fix.
The psychological dependence associated with narcotic addiction is complex and protracted.
Long after the physical need for the drug has passed, the addict may continue to think and talk
about the use of drugs and feel strange or overwhelmed coping with daily activities without
being under the influence of drugs. This does not necessary have to be the case if someone that
has been suffering from heroin addiction were to find a reliable treatment setting where the
entire addiction is confronted and handled. These heroin drug rehabilitation programs employ
the bio-physical model of treatment which takes into account the drugs that are stored in the
fat tissues of the body and cause the user to crave the drug for months and years after use
has been stopped. Without using this approach there is a high probability that relapse will
occur after narcotic withdrawal when neither the physical environment nor the behavioral
motivators that contributed to the abuse have been altered.
Seek programs that have documented success and utilize a bio-physical approach and you
will have a life free of craving heroin and free of the depressing mental effects of having
this drug in your body.
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