Steps2Rehab - Addictions - Heroin and Methadone
Heroin
Heroin (as so known as black tar, smack, junk, skag, horse, brain, chaw and chiva) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. Heroin use can develop quickly in to physical and psychological addiction to the drug.
Heroin can be administered several ways, including:
- Intravenous injection
- Intramuscular injection
- Snorting
- Smoked by inhaling its vapours when heated
Frequent use has a high potential for the development of a physical dependence on the drug. Tolerance develops rapidly in users, meaning that heroin needs to be used more frequently and in greater amounts to achieve the same 'high'.
The onset of heroin’s effect depends on the method of administration. Snorting results in an onset within three to five minutes; smoking results in an almost immediate, seven to eleven seconds, milder effect that strengthens; intravenous injection induces a rush and euphoria usually taking effect within 30 seconds; intramuscular injection take effect within three to five minutes.
If a continual, sustained use of heroin is stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms (called withdrawal syndrome) can appear within six to eight hours. Generally speaking, withdrawal syndrome begins from six to twenty four hours of discontinuation of sustained use of heroin. However, time frames can fluctuate with tolerance, as well as the amount of the last consumed dose. An appropriate rehab clinic can help you or a loved one to detox safely and limit the uncomfortable and dangerous symptoms associated with heroin detoxification.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Sweating / cold sweats
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cramp-like pains in limbs and severe muscle and bone aches
- Yawning
- Tears
- Insomnia
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Chills and goose bumps
- Fever
- Restless leg syndrome
- ‘Itchy blood’ – results in compulsive scratching, causing bruising and ruptures to the skin
If an individual is using regularly, attempting to stop 'cold turkey' can induce intense negative withdrawal symptoms. Rehab clinics provide a detox method that involves symptom reducing and counteractive prescriptions in a supervised environment, making sure the user is safe when coming off heroin. In addition, appropriate in-patient treatment programmes can help to relieve the discomfort and physiological stress associated with withdrawal syndrome.
Large doses of heroin can be fatal. However, it is not just the substance that represents risks to heroin users. For intravenous users of heroin, the use of non-sterile needles and syringes and other related equipment leads to the risk of contracting blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis. Additionally, heroin users place themselves at risk of contracting bacterial or fungal endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart.
Risks related to heroin use:
- Contracting HIV and hepatitis
- Poisoning from contaminants added to ‘cut’ or dilute heroin
- Chronic constipation
- Accidental overdose (particularly when taken with cocaine)
Street heroin is of a widely varying and unpredictable purity. This means that a user may prepare what they consider to be a moderate dose while actually taking more than intended. Tolerance to heroin develops rapidly with regular use and decreases rapidly after a period of abstinence. Thus if a dose comparable to previous use is taken, a greater effect that was intended may occur, increasing the risk of an accidental overdose occurring.
In addition to these risks, it has been speculated that a proportion of heroin related deaths are the result of an overdose or allergic reaction to quinine, which may sometimes be used as a cutting agent. Toxicology studies that have investigated heroin related deaths have also found frequent involvement of other substances, such as alcohol, benzodiazepines and cocaine.
The mental, physical and social detrimental consequences of having a heroin addiction can be alleviate and treated by sourcing appropriate and experienced help. There are many treatment clinics who can support you comfortably through a detox and help you develop the psychological tools and strategies that will set you on a path of long term recovery. Freeing you from the constraints of a powerful and overwhelming substance addiction.
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid and is sometimes used an 'anti-addictive' in the treatment of heroin addiction. It is useful in the treatment of opioid dependence due to its cross-tolerance with other opioids, such as heroin and morphine.
Although methadone was primarily developed to treat other opioid addictions, the substance has created an addiction problem in itself, some of the adverse effects of using can include:
- Hyperventilation
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Hypotension
- Weight gain
- Stomach pain
- Flushing
- Swelling
- Mood swings
- Head ache]insomnia
- Impotence
- Skin rash
- Seizures
Tolerance to methadone develops with frequent administration and produces withdrawal effects similar to heroin and morphine withdrawal when frequent use is stopped abruptly. Withdrawal syndrome is considered to be less intense, but more prolonged, than withdrawal from heroin or morphine, and can last for several weeks or more. The most appropriate way to negate the withdrawal effects of methadone is to seek professional help.
Similar to heroin, investigations into methadone related deaths indicate that death is more likely to occur as a result of poly drug use, i.e. taking methadone with heroin, crack, alcohol or other drugs..
Whilst methadone can relieve narcotic craving in heroin users and has been found to be medically safe, using methadone on a non-prescribed level can have the same devastating effects as abusing heroin. Using methadone comes with risks and withdrawal symptoms that can require treatment similar to that of heroin. In-patient treatment clinics provide a secure and supportive environment in which to detox safely and comfortably from methadone. As well as providing you with the psychological strategies and skills to stay clean in the future. .
