Heroin Addiction Intervention and Treatment in Texas

Heroin addiction intervention and treatment in Texas is essential for anyone struggling with heroin addiction. Like many drugs of abuse, heroin causes specific actions in the brain and body that cause drug users to become physically and psychologically addicted. Heroin addiction requires specific treatment and intervention to help an addict. Most drug rehab centers in Texas provide an assessment or evaluate the addict to determine what methods of counseling and therapy are needed. The first step in treating heroin addiction is drug detox. Most heroin addicts require medical detox or medication-assisted treatment.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms are difficult to manage without proper medical help. The next phase of drug rehabilitation involves attending a residential or outpatient drug rehab program. Most heroin addicts benefit from long-term residential drug rehab because all services are provided on-site. It is also important to consider aftercare support like 12-step meetings, Narcotics Anonymous, or sober living homes. Well-rounded treatment is important, and drug rehab in Texas should treat the mind, body, and spirit.   

What is Heroin, and How is it Used?

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from poppy plants. Typically, heroin is sold as a white or brown powder that is cut with sugars, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste, and most heroin sold in Texas is coming from South America. Most heroin is used intravenously, but highly pure heroin can be snorted or smoked. Like any other opiate, heroin binds to and activates receptors in the brain called mu-opioid receptors. When these receptors are activated in the reward center of the brain, they stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing reinforcement of drug-seeking behavior. 

What are Common Street Names for Heroin

The most common street names for heroin include Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Negra, Smack, and Thunder. Within the United States, heroin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The drug has a high potential for abuse and is not currently accepted for any medical use in treatment. Heroin is processed from morphine and comes in several forms. The white powder version of heroin found in Texas comes from Mexico and South America, and black tar heroin and brown powder heroin are also coming from Mexico.

What Causes Heroin Drug Addiction?

Drug rehab programs in Texas treat heroin addiction in all its forms managing mild to severe drug addiction. Heroin addiction occurs because of how opiates activate opioid receptors in the brain, stimulating the release of dopamine. Once heroin enters the brain, it is converted to morphine and binds rapidly to opioid receptors. Someone who uses heroin reports feeling a surge of pleasurable sensation. The intensity of the rush is a function of how much of the drug is used and how rapidly it enters the body. The rush of heroin is usually followed by a warm flushing feeling of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities. After the initial effects of heroin, the drug user feels drowsy, and their mental function is clouded and repeats the process of using heroin to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Opioids act in many places in the brain and nervous system. Becoming physically and psychologically addicted to heroin is quite easy, and it becomes difficult to stop taking heroin without proper help. Additionally, opioids can depress breathing by changing neurochemical activity in the brain stem. Opioids also reinforce drug-taking behavior by altering activity in the limbic system that controls emotions. Finally, opioids block pain messages transmitted through the spinal cord from the body. Overall, long-term and repeated use of heroin change the physical structure and physiology of the brain. The drug user experiences long-term imbalances in neuronal and hormonal systems that are not easily reversed. Heroin addiction leads to intense tolerance and physical dependence, making it difficult to stop using the drug. 

Heroin Drug Addiction Treatment and Detox in Texas

Heroin drug addiction treatment and detox in Texas include medically supervised drug detox, medication-assisted treatment, residential drug rehab, and outpatient drug rehab. The first step is a medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Common withdrawal symptoms include pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drug detox is essential before counseling and therapy happen. The next phase of treatment after detox is a residential drug rehab program. Long-term drug rehab is normally the better option for a heroin addict. However, outpatient drug rehab is effective if the addict has proper support at home while attending treatment daily.

Upon completing residential or outpatient drug rehab in Texas, a recovering addict should consider aftercare support like 12-step meetings, peer support groups, or sober living homes. Aftercare support is essential because most people addicted to drugs spend years abusing heroin, destroying many aspects of their lives. Sober living homes in Texas and peer support groups provide excellent opportunities to remain connected to other sober people and work on sobriety. Recovering from heroin addiction takes time, and drug rehab should be well-rounded, treating the mind, body, and spirit.

Family Intervention for Heroin Addiction in Texas                                          

Most people struggling with heroin addiction are unwilling to accept help, or they may not admit they have an addiction. Family intervention in Texas for heroin addiction is the best option for the family. Intervention motivates the addict to accept help and seek treatment. The best way to plan and organize a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist. Friends, family, and the interventionist come together to confront the addict and demonstrate how their addiction has impacted their life and the lives of their family. Family intervention is a carefully planned process, and when organized properly, it is effective. However, a poorly planned family intervention can make the addict feel attacked and likely worsen the situation.

Sources-

NIDA. “Overview.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 13 Apr. 2021, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/overview

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Heroin-2020_1.pdf

NIDA. “What are the immediate (short-term) effects of heroin use?.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 13 Apr. 2021, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-heroin-use