Heroin Addiction and Abuse
What is Heroin?
Learn About Heroin Use & Treatment
Heroin Use
- Signs of Heroin Use
- Snorting Heroin
- Snorting Heroin
- Snorting Heroin
Treatment for Heroin Use
- The Rehab Process
- Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
- Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Opioids are a class of drugs that include many prescription medications for pain relief as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Heroin and other opioids attach to the opioid receptors in the brain, and when taken, it dulls an individual’s perception of pain; they may also experience pleasurable feelings and even euphoria at higher doses.4 Some prescription opioids, such as Oxycodone and Vicodin, are also sold illegally as street drugs.4 Heroin is typically found as either a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, or mixed with water and injected.1
Heroin Side Effects
Opioids are a class of drugs that include many prescription medications for pain relief as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Heroin and other opioids attach to the opioid receptors in the brain, and when taken, it dulls an individual’s perception of pain; they may also experience pleasurable feelings and even euphoria at higher doses.4 Some prescription opioids, such as Oxycodone and Vicodin, are also sold illegally as street drugs.4 Heroin is typically found as either a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, or mixed with water and injected.1
What to Do When Your Loved One Uses Heroin
Opioids are a class of drugs that include many prescription medications for pain relief as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Heroin and other opioids attach to the opioid receptors in the brain, and when taken, it dulls an individual’s perception of pain; they may also experience pleasurable feelings and even euphoria at higher doses.4 Some prescription opioids, such as Oxycodone and Vicodin, are also sold illegally as street drugs.4 Heroin is typically found as either a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, or mixed with water and injected.1
Heroin Addiction Treatment
Opioids are a class of drugs that include many prescription medications for pain relief as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Heroin and other opioids attach to the opioid receptors in the brain, and when taken, it dulls an individual’s perception of pain; they may also experience pleasurable feelings and even euphoria at higher doses.4 Some prescription opioids, such as Oxycodone and Vicodin, are also sold illegally as street drugs.4 Heroin is typically found as either a white or brown powder or as a black, sticky substance known as black tar heroin. Heroin can be snorted, smoked, or mixed with water and injected.1
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Are you worried about yourself or a loved one?
How Do I Get Help for Alcohol Addiction?
The Time to Seek Help is Now
The criteria for SUD include:4
- Taking higher amounts or more frequent doses of the substance than originally intended.
- Having a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use but being unable to do so.
- Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance.
- Experiencing cravings, or strong desires or urges to use the substance.
- Failing to fulfill major role obligations at home, school, or work due to substance use.
- Continuing to use the substance despite having persistent or recurrent interpersonal or social problems caused or exacerbated by the substance.
- Giving up important occupational, recreational, or social activities due to substance use.
- Using the substance in situations in which it is physically hazardous, such as while driving or operating machinery.
- Continuing to use the substance despite having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is caused or exacerbated by the substance.
- Developing a tolerance (e.g., needing more of a substance to feel its effects).
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing consumption or needing to continue using a substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Are You Covered For Treatment?
American Addiction Centers is in-network with many private insurance companies. We’ll help you verify your insurance coverage for treatment quickly and easily.
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (2017). Drugs of abuse.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, December). Heroin.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June). Prescription Opioids DrugFacts.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Prescription opioid use is a risk factor for heroin use.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Prescription Opioids and Heroin Research Report: Heroin use is driven by its low cost and high availability.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Signs of heroin use.
- Healthline. (2021). Signs of heroin addiction.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, June). Heroin Research Report: What are the long-term effects of heroin use?
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). The Science of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics.
- Centers for Disease Control. (2022, May). Heroin.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFacts.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Principles of Effective Treatment.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition): Types of Treatment Programs.
