Is Heroin An Opioid?

We hear quite a bit in the news and on social media about the opioid epidemic. With the number of opioid overdoses continuously rising, the epidemic is alarming. There are several drugs— some are prescriptions and some are synthetic street drugs. People may wonder, is heroin an opioid? If you or someone you love is dealing with a heroin addiction, then an opioid addiction rehab center in Florida is a place you can find healing.

What is Heroin: Is Heroin An Opioid?

Heroin is a commonly used narcotic drug made from morphine. Morphine is derived from the opium poppy plant that is grown in parts of the world such as Asia, Mexico, and Columbia.

Heroin in its natural state may be a white, brown, or black color. It’s usually powdery, but black heroin may have a sticky consistency. People who use heroin do so in a variety of methods. Injecting heroin is the most common method of use, but people also smoke and snort the substance.

So, is heroin an opioid, you may ask? Because it is derived from the seed of the opium plant, it is classified as an opioid. Although most people think of opioids as painkillers, heroin is definitely on the list.

Effects of Heroin

Heroin has both short-term and long-term effects. Because of the method people use to take heroin, it bypasses the bloodstream, making its effects almost immediate. This is one reason people get addicted to heroin so quickly. Some immediate effects of heroin include:

• Feeling of euphoria
• Dry mouth
• Possible confusion
• Grogginess
• Feelings of heaviness in the limbs
• Flushed face
• Itchiness
• Addiction

If you continue to take heroin, the long-term consequences are as follows:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Vein collapse (if it’s injected)
• Liver disease
• Kidney problems
• Potential pneumonia
• Heart valve infection
• Mental health conditions

The other possible side effect of taking heroin is an overdose. This may occur at the beginning of taking the drug or after taking it for a long time. You can overdose if you mix heroin with other drugs, miscalculate how much your body can handle, or get a hold of heroin laced with fentanyl. In addition, some people overdose when they relapse. Their body becomes detoxed from the substance, then when they relapse, they do as much as they’d been doing before they quit. This makes them vulnerable to overdose.

Treatment for Heroin

When determining the

When determining a plan for treating heroin addiction, medical professionals use similar treatment as they do for opioid treatment. They will start with an assessment to determine what program will work best for your situation. If your situation is severe, you may need to partial hospitalization or 90-day treatment.

Next, you’ll participate in various therapies that will help you resolve your addiction issues. Therapy also teaches relapse prevention strategies, so you’ll be prepared for any future temptations. Some therapies particularly helpful for drug addiction include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• EMDR
• Trauma and PTSD therapy
• Mindfulness based therapy
• 12-Step Program
• Non-12-Step Program

Participating in therapy will ensure your healing is complete.

Welcome to Beaches Recovery

Welcome to Beaches Recovery, a place where healing and hope meet those struggling with heroin addiction. Our premier location on the in Jacksonville, FL is a place to find peace and sobriety. A dedicated care facilitator will ensure you enroll in the program that is best suited to your unique needs. Some of our treatment programs include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Outpatient Program
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment
• Aftercare Program 

Don’t let alcohol addiction control your life. Now that you know the answer to—is heroin an opioid, you can find the pathway to a happier tomorrow. You can overcome your addiction by reaching out for help. Contact us at 866.605.0532, and we’ll get you on the right pathway.