Heroin Addiction Intervention Treatment in Pennsylvania
Heroin addiction intervention treatment in Pennsylvania includes family intervention services, inpatient medical detox programs, residential drug rehabilitation, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and aftercare support or recovery programs. Treating heroin addiction involves different steps, but there is a general process depending on the severity of opiate addiction. Unfortunately, most people addicted to heroin are unwilling to accept help or admit they have an addiction. Heroin addiction intervention is a common option used by families to help their loved one in denial about their addiction.
It is important to find the right form of drug rehabilitation for heroin addiction. Most heroin addicts are misusing other opiate drugs, such as pain medication. Drug rehabilitation should be well-rounded and help the addict physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Overall, no one form of drug rehabilitation is right for every person. Generally, treatment settings and interventions should meet the needs of the person attending the drug rehabilitation center. Drug rehabilitation programs in Pennsylvania provide addiction treatment for all severity of heroin addiction.
What is Heroin, and How is it Used?
Heroin is an opiate drug made from morphine, a substance taken from the seed pod of the different opium poppy plants. Heroin, like other opiates, affects the brain’s reward system, influencing the production of dopamine and endorphins. The initial effects of heroin are intense euphoria and a feeling of warmth and relaxation. Heroin is sold as a white or brown powder and a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin.
Common street names for heroin include big H, horse, hell dust, and smack. The most common method of using heroin is intravenous use, and the effects are felt immediately. A purer form of heroin is heated and smoked, also leading to an immediate effect. In addition, it is not uncommon to mix heroin with cocaine to counter the sedating effects of heroin. Drug rehabilitation centers in Pennsylvania routinely treat addicts addicted to heroin.
The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use
Heroin use causes dangerous short-term and long-term effects. The Short-term effects of heroin use include an inability to focus, lapsing in and out of consciousness, heart arrhythmia and palpitations, decreased respiration, low blood pressure, anxiety and depression, and dry mouth. The long-term effects of heroin abuse include heart damage and heart disease, circulatory system problems and collapsed veins from intravenous drug use, lung problems, increased risk of developing pneumonia, memory loss, increased depression, anxiety and moodiness, liver or kidney disease, overdose potential, including slowed or stopped breathing, coma, and death.
Without early intervention and proper drug rehabilitation, the short-term and long-term effects of heroin become progressively worse. Drug rehabilitation programs in Pennsylvania help a patient overcome the physical damage done by heroin addiction. The most significant problem created by heroin use is physical and psychological dependence. Heroin causes a tolerance to develop that creates dangerous and painful withdrawal symptoms. The long-term use of heroin makes it difficult to stop using heroin because of physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.
The Causes of Heroin Addiction
Heroin is an addictive opiate that binds to opioid receptors in the brain, increasing the release of dopamine. The drug creates powerful euphoric effects, and the body becomes dependent on those effects. Eventually, the addict develops a tolerance requiring more frequent doses of heroin to achieve the same level of good feeling, thus creating dependence or addiction. Most addicts do not begin to use heroin—it is common to transition from pain medication to heroin because heroin is cheaper. However, heroin addicts began their addiction solely with heroin.
The most common reason someone becomes addicted to heroin is that they were once addicted to opioid pain medication. Heroin turns into morphine once it enters the body, and morphine and its derivatives are found in most pain medications. Heroin addiction also occurs because of withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, severe muscle and bone pain, sleep problems, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goosebumps, and uncontrolled leg movements. Heroin is a dangerous drug and requires proper medical detox and drug rehabilitation. Substance abuse treatment programs in Pennsylvania provide extensive resources to manage all severity of heroin addiction.
Heroin Addiction Treatment and Detox in Pennsylvania
Heroin addiction treatment and detox in Pennsylvania involve specific steps, but there is a general process. Drug detoxification is the first step, and this should involve a medical detox program in Pennsylvania. Withdrawal symptoms are painful and prevention most heroin addicts from becoming sober. However, medical detox programs offer withdrawal management and use medications to alleviate withdrawal discomfort. After completing drug detox, the next phase of treatment involves attending a residential or outpatient drug rehabilitation program in Pennsylvania. Someone addicted to heroin benefits from residential long-term drug rehabilitation.
However, no one form of drug rehabilitation is right for every person. Generally, treatment settings and interventions are tailored to meet the needs of the person attending drug rehab. Outpatient drug rehabilitation centers are also effective, but an addiction assessment would help determine what type of treatment is required. Treatment methodologies include traditional and non-traditional approaches. Traditional therapies include 12-step facilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other behavioral therapies, family-based therapy, and individual counseling. Non-traditional therapy approaches include holistic treatment, faith-based therapy, and experiential therapy.
Heroin Addiction Intervention in Pennsylvania
Heroin addiction interventions in Pennsylvania are professional resources that help families with a heroin addict unwilling to accept help. Family intervention brings together family, friends, and a professional interventionist to confront the addict about his or her addiction. A drug intervention aims to demonstrate the consequences of their addiction and who it has impacted their life and the family. The best way to plan and organize a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist. An intervention helps the family regain control, set clear boundaries, and convince the addict to attend drug rehab.
A properly planned and executed family intervention works, yet a poorly planned drug intervention worsens the situation. It is important to consult with or have professional help. However, it is not impossible for families to plan and perform an intervention without professional assistance. Drug intervention should help the family understand how enabling, and co-dependency are damaging and demonstrate to the addict how their heroin addiction has impacted their life.
Sources-
