Heroin and Opiate Addiction

Heroin and opiates are highly addictive substances, and addiction can have a devastating impact on a person's life.

At New Leaf, we understand how heroin and/or opiate addiction can take over your life and therefore offer individuals private rehabilitation to overcome these addictions. We will tailor an innovative treatment programme that will address your needs— body, mind, and spirit— so you can get your life back on track.

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Your individualised drug rehab program might include detox, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and a wide array of other treatment services designed to ensure you receive the highest standard of addiction treatment and achieve a sustained recovery.

The physical side effects of opiates can include sweating, drowsiness, constipation, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, rashes or hives, reduced sex drive, vertigo, pinpoint pupils, low blood pressure, liver damage and edema.

Opiates also significantly decrease respiratory activity. As a result, taken in excessive amounts they can cause a person to stop breathing. Since heroin is usually injected, it can lead to other serious health problems acquired through the transmission of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV/Aids or Hepatitis C.

When struggling with Heroin or Opiate addiction, there can be a number of signs and symptoms that may be noticed by family, friends or those around you. 

Physical Effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Skin Problem

Behavioural Effects

  • Financial Struggles
  • Withdrawal from Social Settings
  • Lying & Manipulative Behaviour
  • Legal Problems
  • Neglecting Responsibilities

Psychological Effects

  • Depression
  • Mood Swings
  • Loss of Interest in Activities
  • Thoughts of Suicide

If someone that you know is displaying signs or symptoms in their behaviour or well-being recently, contact New Leaf Recovery today to seek support and find out how you can help them start their recovery.

One of the most dangerous results of opiate use can be an accidental overdose. When used regularly for a prescribed period of time as a treatment following trauma or injury, opiates create a level of tolerance in the user. After prolonged use, increased doses are required to achieve the same results, causing the user to desire or use more than the prescribed dose. Additionally, what may be an acceptable dose under medical supervision for one user can be a lethal dose to a non-tolerant user, resulting in an overdose.

There are also serious side effects associated with opiate withdrawal, including tremors, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, head and body aches, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and hot flashes. Therefore, opiates should never be discontinued without medical supervision.

Opium, which is the dried sap harvested from the seed of opium poppy plants, has been used for thousands of years to treat and manage pain. Today, it can be used by itself or synthesized to create various types of opiate drugs. More than 15 million people worldwide use illegal opiates.

Opiates are the natural alkaloids found in the resin of the poppy seed. Opioids are the chemicals extracted from the resin. Commonly used opiates include morphine, heroin, codeine, subutex or subuxone, and methadone. Although some opiates are prescribed medically, they are also available as street drugs, which are non-regulated and therefore may contain harmful levels of toxic substances. While codeine is the most widely used opiate in the world, heroin is the most lethal, and the most abused.

When an opiate enters the bloodstream, it activates the opiate receptors throughout the body. Once it reaches the brain, it binds to specific opiate receptors that affect pleasure and pain relief. The stimulation of these pleasure receptors causes greater amounts of dopamine to be released, producing a feeling of euphoria and contentment. However, the brain organically produces endorphins that activate these same opiate receptors, so prolonged opiate use can disrupt the body’s natural pain and pleasure response, which leads to dependency and addiction.

Heroin is usually taken by intravenous or intramuscular injection, and therefore penetrates the brain more quickly than other opiates, which is why many addicts prefer it to other forms. Although most opiates are prescribed in pill form, buprenorphine is taken sublingually and morphine can be used in patch form.

Treatment and Help for Heroin & Opiates

If after reading this information you are concerned for yourself, a friend or a family member, please contact us today.

New Leaf Recovery in Birmingham offers a range of treatments and services to help those who struggle with heroin or opiate addiction. Ranging from Group Therapy sessions to helping clients on their recovery journey, we can help you. Get in touch with New Leaf Recovery today. Call our team on 0121 251 4431.

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