Heroin addiction - one step before death

Dependence on the drug heroin is not just a dangerous mental illness, but also a rather serious problem, both legally and socially. It refers to a powerful pain reliever that acts instantly and can create a feeling of euphoria in people.

Heroin addiction develops too quickly. After one week a person turns into a drug addict. After all, the use of this drug has extremely negative consequences. Here it is important to identify the addiction in a timely manner and immediately provide him with all the necessary help.

Signs of heroin use

The first dose does not cause any dependence on heroin . Although from the injection to the subsequent development of real heroin addiction, not much time may pass. That is why, after a person has tried it on himself at least several times, for example, in order to obtain some new sensations, getting rid of addiction will be quite problematic.

In appearance, there may not be any bright manifestations. He can work, study, but at the same time all his existing thoughts will be directed to finding a dose. This behavior is usually classified as a psychological type of addiction, which is based on the presence of a fairly strong craving. It is perceived by a person as the main source of pleasure, as well as a method of liberation from a wide variety of worries that exist in life.

Outwardly, signs of heroin use , although even so, one can notice some features of non-standard behavior that are characteristic of a drug addict. The first sign of heroin use is irritability. They also tend to be aggressive. As a result, the longer the interval between successive doses, the correspondingly, the aggression will increase significantly faster. Every day it pulls you into your own networks much more strongly. Soon the number of doses begins to increase. There is a risk of overdose and death.

The stronger the addiction becomes, the more obvious its signs will seem. A heroin addict begins to lose his own weight very quickly. Numerous ulcers begin to appear on some areas of the skin. The immune system weakens, which leads to the emergence of various infectious diseases.

Among the obvious signs of the presence of addiction, it is worth highlighting the following options:

• Loss of appetite and insomnia.
• People begin to feel exhausted and sleepy, but do not want to rest.
• Instant change in mood and the presence of obsession in communication.
• The skin on the face becomes red, just like the area around the eyes.
• The pupils begin to narrow.
• There is a constant need to obtain funds.
• On the elbow bends there are traces of numerous injections.

Effects of heroin on the body

The molecular structure of heroin allows the substance to easily penetrate the physiological barrier between the blood and nervous tissue (blood-brain barrier) and concentrate in the brain tissue. Heroin, penetrating the brain, is actively transformed into morphine, causing a number of complex excitations.

Drug use leads to general exhaustion of the body, rapid aging of the central nervous system, and often a drug addict looks 5-10 years older than his actual age.

The fact is that the molecular component of morphine or heroin is almost identical to some natural elements produced by the central nervous system - endorphin. When brain tissue is functioning and in normal condition, endorphin acts as a regulator between the psycho-emotional and intellectual state of a person.

From the point of view of the electromagnetic phenomenon of the nervous system, drug intoxication while taking heroin is a kind of chaos and senseless hyperstimulation of nerve endings and cells, which is not inherent in the normal functioning of the body. As a result, nerve cells “burn out,” which leads to their premature death.

Heroin is distinguished not only by its ability to accumulate in brain tissue, but also to concentrate in other organs, causing severe intoxication. When taking the drug for the first time, a person feels an acute malaise, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a decrease in blood pressure. Drug addicts with long-term experience claim that subsequent use of heroin will bring pleasure, however, this is not always the case, and largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Drug use leads to persistent immunodeficiency, which is accompanied by frequent colds, infectious and viral diseases. Regular use of heroin often leads to indigestion, chronic constipation, and lack of appetite. These reasons lead to severe weight loss and the development of dystrophy.

In the absence of a dose, “withdrawal” develops. According to laboratory data, 10-12 hours after taking the last dose of heroin, the first signs are observed: psycho-emotional irritability, body tremors, photophobia, secretion from the nasal cavity as with a classic cold.

If the dose is not taken, the above symptoms will be accompanied by vomiting, pain in the joints, and body aches will develop. Then you can observe convulsions, while the person’s consciousness is absolutely clear, and it becomes possible to adequately assess what is happening.

In the first few years, heroin withdrawal does not pose any real danger to the person. Pain, cramps and other symptoms are phantom - hallucinations of the brain due to disruption of its functioning.

The greatest danger of “withdrawal” and withdrawal from the drug is in the 6-7th year of taking the substance, so, in a twenty-five-year-old drug addict, the state of the body is equivalent to that of an old man of almost eighty years of age.

This stage of dependence belongs to the last. The blood vessels of a drug addict lose their elasticity and become fragile. This is reflected in blood pressure, which can drop to zero and, as a result, a coma of unknown duration.

Heroin addiction

This type of drug addiction is considered the most harmful type, which leads to death. It is widespread in a huge number of states. Heroin has already killed a huge number of people. How does a person become addicted?

Heroin addiction is not always the first drug of choice. Before this, the person most likely had already used such types of drugs as marijuana, as well as medications that contain narcotic substances. Although in some situations the drug heroin . Today there is false information about the fact that there are really soft drugs in the world. And if a person used marijuana once and did not die, then it may not be so harmful. It is not true. Such false information is initially provided to drag as many people as possible into drug addiction.

Even the first dose will lead to poisoning of the body. People experience severe intoxication. Even after the first use of such a drug, dizziness and nausea appear. heroin addiction itself manifests itself quite quickly. After all, the body changes almost instantly, which leads to addiction.

With heroin addiction, he is in complete control of the drug. Because it needs to be taken every day. In a situation where the much-needed dose is missing, a person begins to feel torment and suffering. Due to the presence of withdrawal symptoms heroin addicts are afraid to give it up. This is why they continue to use drugs. As a result, life turns into a constant search for money, which is necessary to purchase heroin . Dependent people in such a situation steal, lie and commit various crimes.

Money begins to disappear from the house, as well as various things. And relatives experience constant severe stress. On average, heroin addicts do not live long and, without appropriate treatment, can die within five years.

Coding

Heroin addiction is extremely strong and occurs with frequent relapses. The following dubious methods are not suitable for suppressing drug cravings:

• hypnosis;
• laser stimulation;
• electric currents;
• acupuncture;
• homeopathy;
• use of drugs with unproven effectiveness;
• conspiracies.

To reduce physical addiction, opioid receptor blockers are used to prevent heroin from affecting the brain. The implants contain Naloxone and similar drugs - Vivitrol or Naltrexone. The filing is performed by a surgeon under sterile conditions, placing the drug subcutaneously.

The main condition for coding is complete detoxification from any psychoactive substances; the patient must be “clean” for at least 2 weeks before surgery. The duration of action of the affixed drug is several months. The choice of agent and its concentration depend on the characteristics of the individual patient.

Coding is prohibited during pregnancy, renal and hepatic failure, as well as during the acute phase of hepatitis. There may be individual contraindications. Some patients experience side effects in the first days after the application - fever, digestive upset, anxiety, sleep problems.

Unfortunately, coding does not solve the issue of mental craving for heroin. This is why conscious drug abstinence against the backdrop of professional rehabilitation is so important. Naltrexone supplement is effective only as part of a comprehensive treatment for addiction syndrome.

Heroin withdrawal

Severe withdrawal or in other words withdrawal syndrome is a psychological and physical type of disorder. Heroin withdrawal occurs over a short period of time as a result of reducing the dosage or completely stopping the use of heroin. When the body does not receive the next dose, a corresponding reaction occurs. Severe painful sensations appear, which are called withdrawal. Thus, severe heroin withdrawal , which is the longest, can cause severe pain.

Stages of formation

Dependence on heroin develops instantly, almost after three or four injections. The full course of addiction formation proceeds in stages.

1. Primary stage. The main feature is a constant desire, the desire to get another portion of a narcotic substance in order to experience the feeling of soaring and bliss, carelessness and indifference again. If the long-awaited dose does not arrive, the drug addict experiences sharply manifested mental and physiological discomfort. Due to this, heroin addiction is formed.
2. Secondary stage. Characterized by a violation of the psychological state. After some time, a person with addiction no longer receives the usual impressions from taking heroin, because tolerance has formed in the body. In order to achieve a feeling of lightness and bliss, you need to increase the dosage. As a result, the addicted person begins to use the drug constantly, and the dose volume increases. At this stage, mental disorders become obvious. All his thoughts come down to one thing - how to get the drug. A drug addict, without even thinking, can break the law just to get what he wants. At this stage, a person experiences withdrawal symptoms: sleep disorders, impotence and nervousness.
3. Third stage. Characterized by malaise in the form of withdrawal. At this stage the condition becomes stable. A person is constantly in search of a drug, but he no longer needs it for pleasure, but for relief from withdrawal or withdrawal symptoms.

The following signs are characteristic of withdrawal:

• profuse runny nose, lacrimation;
• increase in pupils;
• goosebumps, trembling throughout the body;
• frequent sneezing;
• strong feelings of anxiety and restlessness;
• lack of appetite;
• sleep disorder;
• temperature fluctuations, accompanied by profuse sweating and impotence.

Treatment for heroin addiction

Initially, treatment is aimed at getting rid of withdrawal symptoms. Heroin withdrawal lasts for about 7 days. This period is considered quite difficult. Although this problem can still be dealt with using special medications. But these actions are just the first step.

Here, careful attention should be paid to determining the cause of this condition. After all, only after this can the desired effect be achieved. All actions of professional specialists are initially aimed at returning to a full life. Also, do not forget about the implementation of such a procedure as coding. And after this you can begin rehabilitation procedures. This stage is very important. At the same time, psychologists work not only with a sick person, but also with all his relatives.

Symptoms of a heroin overdose and its consequences

Symptoms of an overdose appear a few minutes after injecting heroin:

• confusion;
• nails and lips turn blue;
• dry mouth;
• the skin turns pale;
• makes a person sleepy;
• shallow breathing;
• weakness in the body and slow movements, cramps;
• pressure drops;
• the pulse becomes rarer.

The consequences of an overdose are cardiac arrest and pulmonary edema.

First of all, call an ambulance. Next, place the person sideways on a flat surface. If there is breathing and a pulse, open the collar to make breathing easier. The tongue should not be stuck in the throat; if there is vomit, you need to free your mouth from it. To bring a person to his senses, rub his ears, pat his cheeks. Make him breathe and talk to him to keep him conscious. If there is no pulse or breathing, and the pupils are wide, perform artificial respiration and chest compressions while waiting for an ambulance.

How long do heroin addicts live?

The average life expectancy of heroin addicts is from 5 to 15 years from the moment they start using drugs. Early mortality is associated with the destructive effects of heroin and the high risk of overdose due to rapidly developing tolerance.

Heroin addicts rarely live past 30. Most of them die due to overdoses and related diseases. Some end up in prison by committing crimes and selling drugs. Only a few manage to pull themselves together and seek professional drug treatment help.

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