Get Help For Heroin Addiction

Heroin Addiction

It’s a sad fact that heroin abuse rates in the UK have increased over the last few years. Regrettably, this also means that there has been an increase in the number of deaths caused by heroin overdoses. At Action Rehab, we are here to help anyone who suffers from heroin addiction at our modern heroin addiction treatment centres in order to free you of the grips of this extremely addictive drug. You may also be researching this issue for a friend or a loved one, and we can help you too. 

Heroin addiction in the UK 

Heroin is an extremely powerful and dangerous opiate drug which is typically sold as white or brown powder. It can be taken via injection, snorting or smoking, and is one of the most addictive and damaging illegal drugs that can be found.

Many addicts have turned to heroin in order to replace prescription painkiller addiction. Once a prescription painkiller is no longer possible to obtain, people can turn to heroin in order to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms. A major issue with this is that heroin can take a massive toll both physically and psychologically and, as such, getting treatment as soon as possible could potentially save your life.

Many people also use heroin for recreational purposes as it can send an individual into a relaxed and euphoric state, and this can grow into an addiction over time as the user can begin to crave the high that they obtain from taking the substance. Once addiction takes hold of a person, it can be extremely difficult to overcome the dependence that the body has for the drug, and the best method of recovery is to seek help and undertake a detoxification process to gradually reduce the need for heroin’s impacts on the body whilst managing the withdrawal symptoms that follow.

Please call us now on 0151 268 6992 and we can help you to take the first steps to recovery. 

The different types of heroin 

Heroin is made from poppy plants and is either injected, smoked or snorted. Often referred to as smack or junk, the most common heroin is a white or brown powder. It can also be a sticky substance called “black tar.” It’s an exceptionally addictive substance. 

When you buy heroin from a drug dealer, it’s often not a pure form of the drug as dealers cut the drug with other substances such as talcum powder or even more dangerously, fentanyl. Whenever heroin enters your body you have no real idea what you are consuming as it could be stronger or weaker than you think. This can also complicate your addiction as your body may crave other substances due to the actions of a drug dealer.

Once your body becomes dependent on heroin and you start to enter the addiction phase, it can feel like an impossible cycle to get out of and it may seem easy to just accept the changes heroin is making to your body as part of your normal life. It is vital that you seek help as early as possible as treatment has a much higher chance of success if you recognise that you need support in the early stages. 

What happens to your body  

Using heroin will create feelings of intense euphoria and pleasure, with a rush of dopamine hitting your brain. This is extremely addictive and whilst a good feeling short term, it risks a wide variety of very unpleasant health issues. Heroin overdoses are responsible for high numbers of deaths annually. 

Repeated use of heroin tricks your brain into thinking that heroin is essential and if you stop taking the drug, you will suffer from heroin withdrawal. This has unpleasant side effects and at this point help is usually required to get people off the drug. Denial is a common feeling during this stage but any form of reliance on the drug is a sign that you have likely become addicted to the drug and help is absolutely necessary at this point in order to steer the circumstances back in the right direction.

When your body begins to crave heroin, it is extremely difficult to navigate and can spiral out of control if not treated as quickly as possible. Completely eliminating heroin from your life can be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly, and so it is important to ensure that you follow a structured detoxification plan so that the withdrawal symptoms can be closely monitored and kept at a manageable level throughout.

Everyone is affected differently by heroin use, but symptoms that someone may be suffering from heroin addiction include, but are absolutely not limited to severe weight loss, mood swings, becoming agitated or violent, a lack of co-ordination, insomnia and massive changes in behaviour, eg engaging in dishonest behaviour like theft or violence. A heroin addict’s personality can alter very quickly. 

Health problems develop for most heroin addicts. These can vary from infections to liver or kidney disease or collapsed veins. Mental health problems are also very prevalent – depression often hits addicts hard as relationships with family and friends, careers and finances all spiral and suffer due to their addiction. This is why a delay in getting treatment can cause so much damage and you should act quickly. The extent of damage to the body caused by heroin use is determined by a number of factors, including the age of the individual, the volume taken and the period of time it is consistently taken for.

Heroin addiction rehab 

When you contact Action Rehab for help, we will find the best heroin addiction treatment for you. We treat all our clients as individuals and work to find what works best for you. Our high-quality rehab clinics and caring staff will ensure that the odds on your recovery from heroin addiction are high. 

The first step of overcoming a heroin addiction is to undergo a detox. It’s a difficult part of the treatment and withdrawal symptoms can cause side effects such as a flu-like feeling, anxiety and stomach issues. When you join our treatment programme and choose residential rehab, we can help you to overcome the worst of your withdrawal symptoms by issuing you with prescription medication. 

If you believe you or a loved one has developed a heroin addiction, you might want to consider taking an assessment with a registered professional to analyse the extent of the problem and what the most appropriate next steps are. Our treatment programme is designed to help individuals with all severities of heroin addiction to manage their issues and support them with the withdrawal symptoms that arise as a result of the detoxification treatment. 

Our team are here by your side 24/7 and as such you’ll always have top class levels of support. Residential rehab also has the benefit of being able to ensure you steer clear of bad influences when you are craving heroin the most. We have an understanding group of staff who have a wealth of experience in dealing with and treating heroin addiction, and they will help you every step of the way on your road to a life free of heroin addiction.

The length of time you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms from heroin is difficult to predict but it won’t be within 24 hours. It is dependent on how long you’ve had a heroin addiction and how often you consume it. The symptoms may begin just a few hours into your rehab and reach their peak between 36 and 72 hours after your last dose. They are generally gone within ten days but this isn’t guaranteed for those who have more serious addictions.

Heroin withdrawal can be fatal and as such undergoing it in a controlled environment is highly recommended. We will recommend a detoxification procedure which takes into account your current situation and minimises the potentially damaging effects of the withdrawal symptoms, and we will also manage the process in such a manner which significantly reduces the possibility of a relapse.

We will also treat you with support groups, therapy and a variety of holistic treatments in order to better prepare you for a life without heroin. Our diverse range of treatments ensures that we have something that will suit you and your specific needs and requirements, giving you the chance to embark on your very own personal journey to recovery with a great opportunity to succeed.

Additional Information

While there is no leading cause of heroin addiction, there can be signs to spot early on before an addiction becomes a major problem. Having family members who have previously suffered with heroin addiction can be an indicator that there is a higher chance of an individual developing similar tendencies, although genetics is by no means a guarantee of developing an addiction. Biological factors are another thing to consider when assessing an individual’s likelihood of becoming addicted to heroin, as it is hypothesised that people with brains which do not naturally produce sufficient endorphins are at greater risk of becoming drawn in to a heroin addiction.

Environmental and psychological factors also play a role in the chances of becoming addicted to heroin. Pre-existing mental health disorders and being surrounded by people who regularly use the substance are more likely to expose a person to the drug and the repercussions of it, and so symptoms of addiction in those with related issues are important to take note of even if you are unaware of their usage habits at this point.

Severe heroin abuse can not only damage relationships and livelihoods, there are also of course serious health implications associated with regular and long-term heroin usage. Taking heroin over a sustained period of time can significantly increase the chances of contracting diseases such as Hepatitis B or C, as well as HIV, as a result of sharing needles. Repeated usage can also cause issues such as collapsed veins, liver or kidney disease, constipation, gastrointestinal problems and heart infection.

Your appetite is likely to be significantly impacted by heroin and you may face malnutrition issues as a result of diet problems that stem from the repetitive drug reliance. Repeated heroin use is often to alleviate pain or to eradicate withdrawal symptoms, leaving the the individual in what seems like an inescapable cycle for a long period of time. Common withdrawal symptoms include: insomnia, vomiting, restlessness, diarrhoea, cramps, muscle aches and cold sweats.

If you suspect a loved one may be battling with a heroin addiction there are a number of signals, some more visible than others, that you can look out for in order to seek help as swiftly as possible. The most evident physical signs are things like needles (if they don’t have a medical condition which requires them), silver spoons, plastic bags which appear to have encased powder and burned foil or gum wrappers. Less visible signs often include regularly borrowing money, appearing in less or different social circles, lying about places they have been, lack of motivation, self-esteem issues and long periods of isolation.

Avoiding a relapse 

The first 12 months after your rehab will be when you are at your most vulnerable. This is the time you’re most likely to suffer from a relapse and fall back into heroin addiction. This is why when you are preparing to leaving us after your residential rehab, we will provide you with a 12 month aftercare package. This plan will allow you to approach your new life free of heroin and with a positive new mindset.

Opiate drugs are among the highest drugs when it comes to statistics for relapses. Even after 5 years free from heroin a study has indicated that between 10-15% of individuals will relapse, emphasising the importance of reinforcing everything that was learned during the recovery process as well as the fact that addiction can never be fully cured and must always be monitored.

We have a specialist team of professionals who can walk you through from your first consultation to a life free from addiction if you are prepared to go through some difficult times and stick with the process throughout. We take the time to assess each individual situation and are extremely understanding in every circumstance, allowing us to create a personalised plan for each patient and give the best possible opportunity for a positive outcome as a result of the treatment.

Action Rehab will show you how to view things differently and how to avoid triggers that would usually cause you to abuse heroin. We can also demonstrate the importance of avoiding bad influences whether they be people or places in order to ensure that you are not drawn back into old ways. We are aware how testing the process of recovery from heroin addiction is, and are on hand to offer you supportive and understanding guidance to help you gain control of your life once again and to create a better future for yourself.

We appreciate that making the first call is extremely difficult but getting in touch with us could save your life. There’s no magic cure for addiction, it’s something you’ll need to work hard at for the rest of your life. But we our heroin addiction treatment can clean you up and help you to return to your normal life and move forwards with a fresh new mentality.

The phone call might be difficult, but it may well be the most important phone call you ever make. Once you have made contact with us we will help you to take control of your life and give you the relevant support and guidance that you need to make the right decisions moving forwards without addiction.

Please don’t delay and call us today on 0151 268 6992 – we’re waiting to help you.  

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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 7th August 2020

John is a leading expert in addiction recovery and has been pioneering new techniques such as NAD+ for over 10 years. He’s committed to providing the best treatment options available throughout Europe, including ongoing research into therapies like laser therapy to help people heal from their problems.

Dr. Pamela Young - Doctor - Last Reviewed: 16/06/2022 2:00 pm

Dr. Pamela Young MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)

Dr Young is a highly experienced GP specialising in drug detoxification and mental health issues, which often coexist alongside drug misuse.

She helps people who struggle with substance abuse by providing medical treatment to help them recover from their addictions while also managing any withdrawal symptoms that may occur when quitting an addictive substance.

Very experienced in helping patients through the detoxification stage of rehab, both as inpatients and outpatients treated through community care.

Dr Young is a recognised healthcare services professional who also holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.