Dealing with heroin addiction is challenging and worrisome. You may wonder what the physical signs of heroin abuse are so you can be aware of them. Knowing what to expect can be helpful, especially if you suspect a loved one may be using heroin. Or, if you are using it, you may want to know as well. Here are six physical signs of heroin abuse. Contact Oceanfront Recovery to learn more about treatment options.
Stomach Upset
As is common when abusing any opioid, you will experience various stomach issues when abusing heroin. The stomach issues can range in severity and type based on how much you use and how long you’ve been using. However, some of the stomach problems associated with heroin abuse are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Other gastrointestinal issues
- Pupil Issues
Heroin addiction and abuse cause the pupils of the eye to constrict, which means to become smaller. Usually, pupils constrict when a person goes from a darkly lit place to a sunny outdoor place. Light will make the pupils constrict. However, heroin use will have the same effect on the pupils, and this is one of the physical signs of heroin abuse.
Breathing Problems
You may notice difficulty with your breathing if you are suffering from heroin addiction. There may be a problem with shallow breathing, especially if you’ve taken too much of the drug. The reason for this is that heroin depresses breathing.
Sleepiness
Lethargy is another sign of heroin abuse. This drug slows down your system. People can feel so calm that it’s possible to nod off in the middle of talking or doing something. This sleepiness is not typical tiredness but more like drugged sleepiness.
Skin Problems
One of the more obvious physical signs of heroin abuse is the needle marks you may have on your arms. Most people inject heroin into their veins, causing noticeable marks. These needle marks also sometimes become irritated and red.
In addition to these skin problems, heroin abuse can also cause dry, itchy skin. If you are scratching your skin a lot, it could become bothersome and irritable.
Problems with Mental Ability
Heroin use affects the brain, so it’s not surprising that it has an impact on your mental ability. You may notice that you have trouble making decisions that are normally easy for you to make. Concentrating on regular tasks is a chore when abusing heroin. There is even some memory loss that can occur with heroin abuse.
Know the Physical Signs of Heroin Abuse with the Help of Oceanfront Recovery
At Oceanfront Recovery, we are equipped to help you navigate your way through detoxing from heroin abuse. If you suspect that you are suffering from heroin addiction, then our caring and professional staff are here to make sure you make it through the withdrawal process.
We offer treatment programs that will help you get to the core of the issues that drove you to use heroin in the first place. Through a heroin addiction treatment program, you can overcome the physical symptoms of heroin abuse.
Also, you will have comprehensive therapy treatment to help you resolve inner issues that may have led to addiction. Some of the therapy treatment programs we offer include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Depression therapy treatment program
- EMDR therapy treatment program
- Dialectical-behavioral treatment program
Don’t wait another day to take steps to withdraw from heroin use. Now that you know the physical signs of heroin abuse, you can reach out to qualified professionals who can help you. You can overcome the problem of heroin addiction. Contact Oceanfront Recovery at 877.279.1777 for further assistance. We will walk with you on this path.
