The disease known as addiction can completely take over a dependent’s life. Said subjects can grow so reliant on a given substance that they fail to see the destruction such behavior causes.
Unfortunately, an addict’s loved ones often witness these negative impacts and try to convince their loved ones to get help. That said, many dependency-inducing substances like heroin result in significant addictions rendering this process quite challenging.
Heroin Overview
Heroin is placed into a category of drugs known as opiates. These chemicals stimulate the brain’s production of mood-enhancing substances like dopamine. As addiction develops, users ingest increasingly prodigious quantities of the drug to produce intended outcomes, such as increased happiness, euphoric feelings, heightened strength, decreased pain sensations and a greater discomfort threshold.
Addiction specialists maintain that heroin is one of the most addictive drugs commonly abused. Researchers concluded that out of every four people who experiment with heroin, one will eventually grow reliant on the chemical.
Systemic Impact
Scientists stress that long-term abuse of heroin can precipitate appreciable changes in the dependent’s brain structure and chemistry. Studies performed have demonstrated how prolonged heroin ingestion could adversely influence an individual’s:
- Capacity to render decisions
- Ability to control their behavior
- Reactions to stressful or tense circumstances
- Tolerance levels
Extended abuse often leads to physical dependency. This means the body and brain grow reliant on the substance to merely function that failure to satisfy cravings could result in severe, potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, extended misuse of the drug could cause damage to numerous bodily systems.
Above all, continual heavy use could result in overdose. Addicts typically hold high tolerance levels meaning they must ingest larger and larger quantities of the drug to produce desired effects. However, the intake of exceptionally prodigious amounts could lead to overdose, which is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate and especially aggressive treatment.
Signs Of Addiction
Dependents are often too caught up in their addiction to realize they have a problem. Therefore, treatment professionals implore family members and other close relations to pay close attention to specific signs suggesting possible heroin reliance. Indications could be broken down into categories including physical and behavioral issues.
A heroin addict might display physical manifestations like:
- Bodily itching
- Outbursts of anger
- A flushed, red skin
- Disturbed sleep cycles
- Nausea
- Vomiting
One overlooked but key indicator is the use of laxatives. Heroin abuse often elicits constipation and addicts ingest stool softening substances to conquer this condition.
Furthermore, mental symptoms, such as confusion, memory loss, and the inability to render thoughtful decisions might also result.
From a behavioral standpoint, an addict’s kinfolk are urged to look out for reg flag indicators, such as leaving drug paraphernalia lying around, being purposefully deceptive, and even stealing.
Steps To Take If An Addict Refuses Treatment
When considering the preceding concerns, many close associations of a suspected heroin dependent have likely tried to convince their loved one to seek help on numerous occasions but to no avail.
One must note that the dependent must reach the conclusion that they need help on their own accord. However, time is of the essence. Delay in treatment significantly increases the addict’s risk of permanent disabilities and possibly even death.
Fortunately, one might be successful in this quest by engaging in steps including:
Not Being An Enabler
Sometimes, an addict’s family members or friends act as enablers. No, this does not mean going out and buying drugs for them. However, it does mean tolerating their behavior. Merely giving a dependent safe harbor or serving as the soul that bails them out when they encounter trouble can be construed as enabling.
Avoid Confrontation
Most people have heard some variation of the phrase ill treatment breeds ill treatment. Ergo, engaging in actions like being confrontational, making threats, or using guilt on an addict is often counterproductive. Addiction specialists recommend displaying firmness but also demonstrating some degree of compassion and positive reinforcement.
Remain Proactive
Watching a loved one battle a heroin dependency is difficult. Moreover, if one has made previous unsuccessful attempts to encourage said subject to seek help, they might grow frustrated or discouraged. That said, ignoring the situation or believing it will magically resolve is a useless endeavor.
Display A Certain Degree Of Selfishness
Oftentimes, heroin abusers do not notice the impact their habit has on themselves. However, seeing how their actions impact close relations might be enough to convince them to seek professional assistance.
Contacting Us
If you or a close relative continues to struggle with a heroin or any other type of addiction, we encourage you to contact us. Our Houston-based facility employs an experienced team of industry professionals that might be able to help said subject realize the errs of their ways and seek help before any permanent damage is done. Call us at 833-364-0736.