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Heroin Rehab

heroin rehabHeroin use and abuse are more common than people think. While many people try heroin in their teens and 20s, heroin dependence is more common among people 30 and older. This dangerous opioid is responsible for countless overdoses and deaths each year. However, heroin rehab provides a safe and effective way to overcome opioid cravings and avoid relapse.

If you or someone in your life is using heroin, Northpoint Omaha can help. Our heroin rehab programs help patients heal. Through outpatient addiction treatment, you or your loved one can begin the road to recovery with all the support needed to reach a place of stability. Reach out to our team today at 402.685.9404 to learn more.

How Heroin Addiction Develops

Heroin is an opioid derived from the poppy plant. This illicit drug comes in dark brown or white powder and is smoked, snorted, pr injected. When heroin enters the bloodstream, it converts to morphine. Most people are familiar with morphine as an incredibly potent painkiller. Heroin has the same effect as other opioids, blocking pain receptors and creating a sense of calm euphoria. However, the effects of heroin are short-lasting. Because of this, the drug is highly addictive, as those who use it typically seek out more right away. Effects of heroin use include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Itchiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Heavy arms and legs
  • Erratic behavior
  • Mood swings

The long-term effects of heroin use can be detrimental and fatal. They include:

  • Collapsed veins if injected
  • Damaged nasal tissue for those who snort the drug
  • Lung damage from smoking
  • Heart lining and valve infections
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Depression

Like with other opioids, the more often a person uses heroin, the more heroin they will need to achieve the same high or pain relief. This is called “drug tolerance.” The higher someone’s tolerance becomes, the more likely they are to overdose. When someone becomes dependent on heroin, their body needs more heroin every six to 12 hours to avoid withdrawal. In the last few years, heroin has become harder to access. This leads many of those who are dependent on heroin to use other opioids, like fentanyl, to prevent withdrawal.

What Is Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin, like other opioids, can be hard to quit on your own. Like many illicit drugs, heroin changes a person’s brain chemistry, causing dependency. When a person stops taking heroin, they develop intense withdrawal symptoms. Commonly referred to as “dope sickness,” these symptoms often lead to other drug use, relapse, and overdose.

During withdrawal, the brain will convince the body it can’t live without more heroin. This can make it impossible to quit with willpower alone. At our Omaha clinic, medical supervision ensures that those going through withdrawal symptoms are safe and have the support they need. Combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy, a medically-assisted detox program can help people safely overcome heroin use.

Reach Out to Our Omaha Heroin Rehab

Don’t wait. If you or someone you love is using heroin, call us today. The compassionate staff at Northpoint Omaha is ready to help you safely detox and recover. With a range of outpatient heroin rehab programs, Northpoint Recovery provides addiction support that fits your busy life. At Northpoint Omaha, we believe in providing our community with the care they need and deserve. We aim to lower heroin use, overdose, and related deaths across the great state of Nebraska area with our comprehensive care. Our programs and approaches include:

  • Dual diagnosis
  • 12-step programs
  • Family therapy
  • Medically-assisted detox
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Aftercare planning

No matter your stage of recovery, Northpoint Omaha can help. We believe in providing care that fits each patient’s needs.

Reach Out to Northpoint Omaha Today

If you’re ready to learn more about what Northpoint Colorado can do for you and your loved ones, call us now 402.685.9404 for more information and a free assessment.