By: Lakeview Health
Heroin abuse affects more people than just the user. It tears families apart. A family unit does not, and should not, give up on a family member who has fallen victim to heroin use. By understanding the dangers of a drug that terminates lives, you can learn to act swiftly to stop the madness and end your heroin use.
How Heroin Use Damages the Body
An overdose of heroin can stop the heart and lead to death, but other organs can be severely damaged if the heroin user makes it out alive. Lung abscess, pneumonia, tuberculosis and scarred air passages are found in heroin abusers. 15% of those admitted to hospitals from heroin use succumb to edema of the lungs. Brain studies show that heroin users have similar brain damage as those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The lack of oxygen supply is believed to be a direct result of brain damage. Kidneys, intestines and the heart are also at risk of becoming damaged and causing future physical problems.
Pay Attention to Tell-Tale Signs
Heroin users may exhibit changed behavior during active addiction. Look for any of these signs in a family member and begin to plan the next strategy:
- Disorientation
- Dishonesty
- Lying
- Poor work or study performance
- Slurred speech
- Nodding off during conversations
These symptoms don’t immediately point to heroin use, but should perk your awareness that something could be very wrong.
The Deadly Needle
Heroin users are often introduced to injecting this drug in order to receive a faster and more potent rush of euphoria. Needles leave tracks, especially with continued injections. People often wear long sleeves to cover their tracks. HIV and HCV are common diseases found among needle users. Determining the use of heroin is the first step in crushing this illness. The second step is talking to a respected drug rehab center. Lakeview Health, located in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier treatment facility that provides medically monitored detox. In heroin addiction, as with many types of addiction, one very important treatment method that may be employed deals with dual diagnosis. Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to simultaneously address addiction and an underlying mental issue for men and women. It includes medication management, mood stabilization and continued monitoring by doctors, relapse prevention techniques for addiction and education on coping skills for managing mental health disorders. In addition, there will a resolution of underlying issues contributing to dual diagnosis and counseling with family or significant others to increase awareness about dual diagnosis. By incorporating individual care of physical and mental problems of the drug user, great results are possible. The dangers of heroin are real. Call Lakeview Health today at (866) 704-7692 for your consultation.
