Fighting Heroin Cravings

Changes to medical insurance laws now require medical insurance companies to cover substance abuse and treatment at a heroin rehab center in Florida in the same manner that they cover medical treatment. These changes have decreased the cost of treatment and made substance abuse treatment more accessible. Opiates like heroin cause intense withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to quit without help after becoming physically dependent on it. Heroin cravings can also intensify during withdrawal and last for weeks after detox.

Opiate use and abuse rates have drastically increased in the United States, especially among young adults. In fact, between 2002 and 2013, opiate use and abuse among Americans ages 18-25 more than doubled. Over the past decade, opiate related overdoses quadrupled among the same age group. The opiate epidemic became so visible that in 2017, President Trump declared a public health emergency in order to combat the growing opiate problem.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a Schedule 1 narcotic in the United States, meaning it has no known medical benefits, is considered highly addictive and is illegal to sell, possess or manufacture. It is derived from opium and the poppy plant and is a central nervous system depressant. Powdered heroin is usually inhaled or injected, while solid forms of heroin, like black tar heroin, is typically smoked.

The high experienced when inhaling heroin is calming and can last for 2-3 hours. Smoking heroin causes a short and intense high. Many times, heroin users transition to heroin after abusing or becoming addicted to prescription opiate painkillers, such as:

• Oxycontin
• Opana
• Vicodin
• Percocet
• Fentanyl
• Morphine

Heroin abuse leads to an increased tolerance. Injecting heroin, which is the most dangerous method of administration, creates an intense rush and high that lasts for several hours. Injecting heroin increases your chances of overdosing or acquiring an infectious disease. Drug cravings occur when you brain begins to associate your substance of choice with pleasure. This association causes your brain’s pleasure and reward center to reward your heroin or substance use with a rush of euphoric neurotransmitters.

Heroin Cravings

Once you become addicted to heroin, you can experience heroin cravings as soon as your intoxication ends. Depressed moods, anxiety and restlessness are common heroin cravings symptoms.

Your brain will continue to cause heroin cravings until you use again or fully detox from heroin and begin recovery at a heroin rehab center Florida offers.

Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Completing an inpatient or outpatient treatment program dramatically increases your chances of achieving long-term abstinence and recovery. Inpatient programs offer the highest level of care and may offer short-term and long-term programs. Some inpatient treatment centers also offer medically supervised detox services.

Outpatient programs are common step-downs after inpatient care. Outpatient programs meet at least several days per week for several hours.

If you are struggling with heroin addiction and overwhelming heroin cravings, reaching out to Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 today is the best way to begin your recovery process.