Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine. There is no FDA-approved medical use for this potent drug, so any use of it is considered heroin abuse. As an illicit drug, heroin is obtained on the street and may be cut with other substances, like the even more powerful opioid, fentanyl. It is important to be aware of the short-term effects of heroin and the risks you take when using it. Heroin is extremely challenging to quit once an addiction has developed.
Whether you’ve recently begun experimenting with heroin or it’s been part of your life for a while, My 5 Palms is here for you. Our heroin rehab in Florida provides medically assisted alcohol and drug rehab in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Get the guidance you need to live a life free from heroin dependence by calling us at 1.844.675.1022.
What Are the Short-Term Effects of Heroin Abuse?
Heroin is typically sold in powdered form and administered either by snorting the powder or heating it to produce a vapor that can be inhaled or smoked. It can also be dissolved in liquid and injected into veins or muscles. Heroin is most well-known for its rapid high. Shortly after taking a hit of heroin, people experience the following effects:
- Euphoria – The main draw of heroin—this intense rush of euphoria occurs within seconds or minutes of administration.
- Slowed breathing – Heroin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, so it slows your body’s functions. As your breathing slows, you may begin to feel more relaxed. However, heroin can sometimes lead to excessively slow breathing, which can deprive your brain of oxygen and lead to respiratory failure in severe cases.
- Skin flushing – You may feel a warm sensation in your skin since heroin can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
- Dry mouth – As a CNS depressant, heroin also slows down saliva secretion, resulting in dry mouth, sometimes referred to as cottonmouth.
- Nausea and vomiting – The depressant effects of heroin also impact the digestive system. Food moves more slowly down the digestive tract, leading to nausea and even vomiting.
- Constipation – Elimination is affected by the slowed digestive function associated with heroin, so you may experience constipation or other gastrointestinal issues.
- Brain fog – Heroin also slows cognitive function, making you feel confused or have cloudy thinking.
Although the negative effects of heroin far outweigh the short-term euphoric feeling that one get’s from ingesting it, the intensity of euphoria and the highly addictive properties bring people back to the drug again and again.
Common Risks Associated with Heroin Abuse
In addition to the short-term effects of heroin abuse, you may encounter more serious, potentially permanent effects with long-term use, such as:
Mental Health Concerns
With chronic heroin use, your brain will rely on the substance for pleasurable feelings. As the euphoric effects wear off, you may feel moody, anxious, depressed, or paranoid. You can also experience long-term cognitive effects, such as impaired memory, decision-making, and impulse control.
Physical Health Issues
Long-term heroin abuse puts you at risk of many physical health problems. It can cause permanent cardiovascular, respiratory, or liver damage, along with weakened immune function. If you inject heroin and share needles with others, you’re also susceptible to infection.
Overdose
Over time, you can develop a tolerance to heroin and require larger doses for the same euphoric effects. This increases the risk of an overdose, which can be fatal.
Heroin doesn’t just cause harm to the life of the person who abuses it, but also to the people who love them. Families and friends often endure emotional and financial stress, the pain of watching someone they care about struggle, and the constant fear of losing them to an overdose. The ripple effects extend far beyond the individual.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of heroin use, there’s help available at My 5 Palms.
Call My 5 Palms to Start Heroin Rehab in Florida
If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available at My 5 Palms. Our heroin rehab offers a full range of treatment programs, including residential and outpatient options. Once our clients complete treatment, they also receive ongoing support through our aftercare and alumni programs. Reach out today at 1.844.675.1022 or through the online form to learn more. Don’t wait another day to begin a new life.