Heroin is an addictive drug that is medically used as a pain reliever but according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 586,000 Americans aged 12 and older have struggled with heroin addiction. While it may seem like heroin has euphoric effects that make you feel good, the results can turn deadly. It is important for those with heroin addiction to fix their mental health issues of anxiety and depression so they do not self-medicate with heroin.
While many may believe that people use heroin for recreational use, heroin is mostly used to avoid your feelings or numbing pain than to feel good. Dopamine floods the brain with intense pleasure. People tend to take it when they do not feel good in the first place. It can change your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. This drug tends to appeal to those with anxiety or depression or live in unhappy circumstances like in poverty or had an abusive childhood. Lowering your doses can make you feel calmer, less tense, and lonely. Higher doses lead to disconnecting to others as you appear in a dream-like state. For those that feel more grounded and confident with themselves, heroin might provide unpleasant and disorienting effects which will make you not want to repeat usage.
Heroin is used medically for reducing or eliminating physical and emotional pain. This makes it appealing to those with chronic pain or are constantly engaging in painful activities like sex workers. Heroin’s effects on the nervous system tend to lead to immediate vomiting. Suppressed breathing and coughing can increase the risk of choking. The biggest thing to worry about with heroin use is the risk of overdose. That risk does not decrease with experience since you can develop a tolerance quickly. If you know someone who has overdosed on heroin, call 911 immediately.
People turn to heroin when they are depressed or scared about their current situation and do not know what to do. It is important to know that heroin is not the answer. You can reach for support through community agencies and move away from any dangerous area you are in. Go to therapy so that a therapist can help you sort out any emotional or physical issues you may be facing. Avoiding drugs for self-medication purposes will give you the opportunity to find healthier ways to deal with your problems head-on and to lead a long life.
Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center’s mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
