Opioid abuse, especially heroin, has become an increasing problem in Louisiana. The state reports that opioid-related deaths increased by 184 percent between 2012 and 2018. Louisiana is taking robust action to try to control this epidemic, which includes increasing awareness about heroin rehab. But it may be a good idea to look outside the state at a facility like Beaches Recovery to find the heroin rehab necessary to heal.

drug paraphernalia showing need for heroin rehabWhat is Heroin?

Heroin is a natural and highly addictive opioid processed from morphine. It comes in many forms, but pure heroin is a white powder that can be smoked or snorted.

Often heroin is cut with other substances like lactose to make it less expensive or change the potency. It can be processed in ways, so it is easier to make, too. A good example of that is black tar heroin, which is sticky like tar. The color is due to the crude processing of the drug that leaves impurities that affect the consistency and color.

How Heroin Affects the Body

Heroin, like most opioids, binds to receptors in the brain that play a role in regulating pain, hormones, and how you feel. When the heroin binds to the receptor, it stimulates the release of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which creates the feeling of euphoria associated with abuse of the drug.

The body uses dopamine to encourage you to do things that help you thrive, like eating a good meal, having sex, or exercising. It’s a reinforcement, so you’ll do those things again. Since taking heroin has the same effect, the dopamine makes you want to use it again, too.

Over time, the brain starts to associate dopamine with drug use. It requires the heroin in greater doses to release dopamine, as well. This is what leads to physical dependence and heroin addiction.

Louisiana residents with a heroin addiction need to seek treatment to find a path to recovery.

What to Look for in a Heroin Rehab

When searching for heroin rehab in Louisiana, it’s important to find a treatment program with certain characteristics to ensure it meets your needs. First, make sure they offer a specialized program for heroin addiction in Louisiana. Some rehabs provide very generalized treatment for addiction, but it’s better to find one with expertise in heroin or opioids.

You also want to verify the heroin rehab has accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). That will ensure that they offer evidence-based treatment modalities.

Finally, look for heroin rehab that offers dual diagnosis treatment. There is a direct connection between mental health issues like anxiety or depression and heroin addiction. Some people turn to opioids as a way to self-medicate when they feel sad or scared.

A heroin rehab that provides dual diagnosis treatment has the ability to focus on both mental health and heroin addiction in Louisiana. By treating both issues at the same time, they help reduce your risk of relapse.

Look to Beaches Recovery for Heroin Rehab

While you might be looking for heroin rehab in Louisiana, to find the right program, it might be necessary to consider nearby states, as well. Beaches Recovery is a 90-bed treatment facility located in Jacksonville, FL.

The services at Beaches Recovery include:

Beaches Recovery has accreditation by JCAHO and a safe, welcoming environment. We also provide detox at nearby Tides Edge Detox Center. Heroin addiction withdrawal is unpleasant. Going through it in a managed detox center like Tides Edge means you have medical supervision that can help control the symptoms. After detox, you can enter the program at Beaches Recovery completely sober.

If you or someone you love has a heroin addiction in Lousiana, give us a call today at 866.605.0532, or contact us online. The experts at Beaches Recovery are here to help.