It may not be easy to tell if someone you care about is using heroin. Television and movies depict heroin users in a way that might make you think you would recognize that something was wrong immediately. However, in reality, the signs and symptoms of heroin abuse can be far more subtle. Opioid addiction affects people and their families across the country. Even people who have been prescribed pain medicines by their doctor can find themselves struggling with opioid abuse and addiction. If you or someone you care about is using heroin, it might be time to think about contacting a licensed substance abuse counselor at a heroin detox program.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, our team recognizes that a heroin detox program is often the first step on the road to recovery. We are ready to help you or someone you care about overcome opioid addiction with our detox program. Reach out to our team to learn more by filling out our online form or calling 800.263.3869.
Common Signs of Heroin Abuse
Most people think of heroin as a drug that people inject, but there are other ways to use heroin that don’t involve needles. People who inject the drug sometimes have scars, called track marks, but people who don’t inject would not have those. Even people who are chronic heroin users that inject might not have obvious marks or may be adept at hiding them by wearing certain types of clothing or using less visible injection sites on the body. The bottom line is that being able to recognize signs of heroin abuse may save your life or the life of a loved one.
There are many other signs of heroin abuse. Some of the most common ones include:
- Small pupils
- Falling asleep randomly or ‘nodding out’
- Secretive behavior
- Sudden weight loss and changes in appearance
- Financial issues or asking to borrow money frequently
- Psychiatric symptoms such as depression or paranoia
- Skin itchiness
- Constipation
Should I Seek Treatment for Heroin Addiction?
Heroin is perceived as an especially high-risk drug because of its risk for addiction, but no one starts out intending to become addicted to a drug. How can you tell if you or someone else has crossed over from recreational abuse to addiction? It can be difficult to honestly assess your own or your loved one’s drug abuse, but it is the first step to getting help.
Take a moment to consider:
- Have you ever spent money that you needed for bills or food on drugs?
- Have you tried unsuccessfully to cut back or quit using?
- Have you neglected family or work obligations because of using?
- Did you ever put yourself in a dangerous situation to get or use drugs?
- Do you feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
- Is your drug use causing problems or arguments in your relationships?
- Have you ever felt you had to use drugs before or after a stressful situation?
- If your doctor told you that you needed to quit for your health, would you be able to?
These may seem like simple, obvious questions, but often when a person is addicted to a drug, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture. However, seeking the help of a substance abuse counselor and undergoing an opioid detox program are the first and best steps to get help.
Choose Pines Recovery Life Detox to Overcome Opioid Addiction
Heroin and other opioids are addictive, but it is possible to quit using them and begin to heal. If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin use or addiction, reach out to our kind and caring staff at Pines Recovery Life Detox. Learn more about how we help people get back on the right track by calling 800.263.3869 or completing our online form.
