Like almost any other addiction, someone who has an addiction to heroin becomes good at hiding it from family, friends, or coworkers. However, the longer a person stays on heroin, the more the signs of heroin addiction manifest. Eventually, it becomes evident to everyone that the person has a problem.
When assessing whether you or someone else has an addiction, try to look for emotional, physical, financial, and relational signs of a problem. A person who exhibits one or two signs may not have a problem. However, you may start to notice more signs as the addiction progresses.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?
The symptoms of addiction or dependency on heroin may vary from person to person. Symptoms often depend on a person’s disposition, the severity of the addiction, if the user is combining heroin with other drugs, or if the person has a mental disorder. Some of the most common signs of heroin addiction include those listed below.
Reach out to NC Wellness Center – High Point at [Direct] to learn more about our substance abuse treatment programs.
Paraphernalia
Most illicit drugs have accessories that users collect over time. A person who embraces heroin use as a lifestyle may collect all types of paraphernalia to promote their addiction. However, due to the scrutiny, they may receive from family or friends, they may hide paraphernalia somewhere around the house. Paraphernalia may include needles, elastic bands, spoons, rubber tubing, lighters, or pipes. If you are looking for heroin, you may find it in the form of an off-white or brown powder. A user may gather and keep all accessories in the same container or location.
Physical Signs of Addiction
A person can start to exhibit physical symptoms of heroin addiction as early as 30 days of the first hit. Symptoms may include:
- Slow breathing or feeling tired all of the time
- Inability to control behaviors or moods
- Constricted pupils
- Itchy skin or dry mouth
- Diarrhea, nausea, or constipation
It is obvious when someone who is using heroin is experiencing hallucinations. They may be slumped over or lying down. It is almost impossible to communicate with them coherently. They may experience feelings that they call ‘heavy.’ Also, they may be confused about their surroundings or situation.
Changes in Lifestyle
For some people, drug use is not just a habit. It turns into an obsession, which translates into a lifestyle. Heroin becomes their ‘thing.’ As such, they may talk about it all of the time and engage in activities that are related to drug use. You may notice changes in their behavior, dress, friends, or weekly schedule.
An addict often loses interest in activities that they use to engage in. They may lose their job or quit going out. They may also show disinterest in maintain any relationships with friends or family. Drug use becomes their obsession and their lifestyle.
Medical Problems
One of the most dangerous signs of heroin addiction is the medical problems that can arise. Medical issues may include:
- Poor immunity
- Bad hearing or vision
- Skin problems
- Respiratory problems
- Heart attack
- Cancer
Also, a person can suffer from clogged blood vessels, strokes, and organ failure. Thus, it’s vital to find the right outpatient rehab program so that individuals can begin healing from substance abuse. Heroin can affect virtually any part of a user’s body if they continue to abuse the drug. If you notice that a person is suffering from heroin addiction, you need to seek treatment for them immediately. Failure to do so could lead to terminal health conditions or fatality.
Get Help for Addiction at NC Wellness Center – High Point
The signs of heroin addiction should alarm you that the user needs treatment right away. If you have a friend or loved one that has a problem with heroin, then contact NC Wellness Center – High Point. We offer comprehensive treatment for all types of addictions. Call [Direct] to learn more about your treatment options.