The long-term effects of heroin are very damaging and cause changes in the brain that can become irreversible. These changes lead to serious mental cravings for the drug that can consume a person completely and push them to keep misusing it, even if they want to quit. Those who wish to stop misusing heroin safely can enroll in an addiction treatment program to aid them in their recovery.
Evoke Wellness at Waltham is a full-service inpatient addiction treatment center that welcomes individuals with an addiction to heroin or other dangerous substances. Our state-of-the-art center provides a safe and private residence where patients can focus on their recovery without outside distractions and temptations. Each program is tailored to the individual and includes a number of therapies and medical support. If you would like more information about heroin rehab in Waltham, MA, give us a call at 866.276.1920 today to schedule a tour and meet our dedicated team.
Understanding Heroin Abuse
Heroin is a toxic substance that causes intense euphoria and is very addicting. In some instances, a person can develop strong cravings for heroin just after one use. Heroin addiction affects over one million men and women each year and is responsible for thousands of preventable deaths.
Why is this substance so dangerous? With repeated use, the body begins to form a chemical dependence on heroin. This means that your body begins to rely on a steady supply just to function normally. When the level of toxicity drops, you will experience a number of physical withdrawal symptoms that can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased body temperature
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasms
- Bone and joint pain
The more you try to resist temptations and cravings, the more intense the physical pain will become and will not stop until you take more.
While there is no cure for heroin addiction, there are several effective treatment programs that give people the skills and confidence to lead a sober life. Evoke Wellness at Waltham provides Massachusetts residents with a number of therapy options for treating addiction. Patients participate in group and private therapy sessions led by an experienced behavioral therapist while receiving medication to ease withdrawal symptoms.
The Long-Term Effects of Heroin
If you or someone you know is misusing heroin, you should seek help as soon as possible before causing irreparable damage to your mind and body. Some of the long-term effects of heroin use include:
Physical Damage
The chemicals in heroin can cause serious health concerns with continued misuse. The known illnesses that are associated with heroin abuse include:
- Pulmonary infections
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart infections
- Hepatitis
- HIV
Other physical problems associated with heroin addiction include a diminished sex drive, infertility and miscarriages, skin infections, and chronic constipation.
Psychological Harm
Heroin abuse can also cause other mental health conditions with long-term abuse. This can include depression, anxiety, psychosis, and a decline in cognitive ability. Heroin abuse causes a decrease in grey matter in the frontal cortex, cingulate, and occipital regions of the brain. This can cause:
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Increased risk of falling
- Impaired judgment
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
- Trouble controlling emotions
Heroin addiction treatment can help prevent and even reverse some of these long-term effects by providing the necessary support and therapies to heal the brain and body.
Behavioral Changes
A common symptom of long-term heroin abuse is how it changes a person’s personality and behaviors. They will pull away from family and friends and may start hanging out with people who also misuse heroin. Their daily activities revolve around heroin use, and they will start missing school or work to get high. You may notice they become easily agitated and have more violent outbursts, even if they never showed any violent tendencies before using heroin.
The long-term effects of heroin are well-known, yet many people choose to continue to misuse this toxic substance. If you are abusing heroin and want to stop it, the safest way to do so is by enrolling in an accredited addiction treatment program.
Call Evoke Wellness at Waltham and Start Healing at Our Heroin Rehab in Waltham, MA
Evoke Wellness at Waltham supports individuals with heroin addiction who need help stopping the abuse once and for all. When you first arrive at our luxury rehab center, we will run a full assessment to determine the best course of action for treating the addiction.
Your individualized treatment program will consist of a diverse range of therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing (MI), medication-assisted treatment, meditation therapy, yoga therapy, and family therapy/counseling. Begin your recovery today—call us at 866.276.1920 or contact us online to learn more about our enrollment process.
