South Florida Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin addiction has reached every corner of the United States and is continuing to fuel America's opioid crisis. Heroin creates a high that rapidly induces a state of relaxation and euphoria. This is because it is linked to chemical changes in the pleasure centers of the brain. Heroin is generally inhaled or needle-injected. Like prescription opiates, heroin blocks the brain’s ability to perceive pain— which is why it feels like an intense pain medication.
Heroin addiction treatment in Florida is needed more than ever during the continued opioid crisis (and now, COVID-19). Most of the street supplies are made up of other dangerous substances, predominantly Fentanyl. In fact, Fentanyl has proven to be deadly, and has increased overdoses in the last five years alone. When you come to Simple Path Recovery, you will work with a professional team of licensed therapists who understand heroin addiction and can effectively treat it. Typically, they will employ an integrated approach that includes medication assisted treatment and behavioral therapy.
The Long-Term Consequences of Heroin Addiction May Include:
- Chronic or phantom pain
- Low blood pressure
- Shallow breathing
- Heart failure
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
As with other drug addictions, heroin addiction is defined as chronic, compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite significant negative consequences.
Injury and Heroin Addiction
In a time where prescription opioids have reduced, heroin use as increased. In other words, the diminishing availability of prescription painkillers has pushed many people suffering with pain from injury to find a replacement that is readily available on the street. Also, heroin is less costly than prescribed opioids like Vicodin and Oxycontin. Plus, developing a tolerance to prescription painkillers can easily result in heroin addiction in a relatively short period of time. Pure heroin is produced using an extract from opium poppies, but heroin dealers often add supplementary substances like fentanyl, household cleaners, and other chemicals in order to increase it's power. Moreover, pure heroin is less likely to cause death than heroin mixed with fentanyl or other additives. Often addicts have no way to know the real contents of the heroin until it is too late, and an overdose has occured.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?
Do you think a loved one or friend is using heroin, but are unsure? Since heroin creates such a state of heightened well-being, it is very attractive. However, once someone becomes addicted to heroin, they become a different person. This person is either "high", or not feeling well from not being "high". This is known as "dope sick." Moreover, the conflict between these two "states" creates a frenetic situation that leads to stealing and other bad behaviors in an attempt to acquire more heroin. General signs of heroin addiction may include:
- Anxiety
- Constant obsession with finding and using heroin
- Socially withdrawn
- Secretive behavior
- Reduced ability to focus or stay organized
- Restlessness or sleepiness
- Moodiness
Heroin Addiction Treatment in Pompano Beach, Florida
Every client is unique, and individual needs must be addressed in our Pompano Beach drug rehab. Finding a recovery program where treatment includes medical assessment is crucial. The use of medications begins at the first stage of treatment. Other modalities are introduced as the physical effects of withdrawal become more manageable. However, detox by itself is not considered treatment. It is only the first step on the path to recovery.
In 2016, over 2 million people in the United States suffered from an opioid use disorder (OUD). Included in this number are 262,000 people addicted to heroin alone. One recognized treatment protocol for heroin addiction is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This treatment option combines the use of medications (Buprenorphine, Suboxone, and Naltrexone) with counseling and behavioral therapies. Most importantly, Suboxone treatment has been a game-changer in the opioid crisis in light of the increasing number of overdoses associated with heroin. Our MAT program is available to clients who are assessed as medically and clinically appropriate. We want to help you end the dangerous cycle of heroin relapse.
Levels of Care for Heroin Addiction
Once clients are medically stable and substance-free, they can start our partial hospitalization (PHP) drug rehab program. Highly structured and rigorous, our Florida heroin treatment program is personalized to include an extensive variety of treatment services. These can include brain mapping/neurofeedback, individual therapy, adventure therapy, group therapy, and other vital addiction treatment services. Next, clients step-down to intensive outpatient (IOP). In our IOP program, clients live in our Florida sober living and attend treatment three times per week. Typically, they work or go to school with minimal supervision. Lastly, outpatient (OP) care allows continuity of care with individual therapy appointments either in-person or via telehealth. Clients live independently.
All levels of care provide appropriate structure, knowledge base and supervision. Clients are encouraged to be thorough through each phase of treatment in order to build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
