Heroin Overdose Prevention

Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. People with addiction and their family members may find support groups to help them cope with stress and issues that may occur due to heroin use. A person may also find support groups and addiction groups helpful for recovery. When an overdose occurs, a person’s breathing may slow or stop. This can cause hypoxia, where the brain does not get enough oxygen.

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For people with addictions to drugs like stimulants or cannabis, no medications are currently available to assist in treatment, so treatment consists of behavioral therapies. Treatment should be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, mental, and social problems. If you suspect that you or someone you care about has a heroin addiction, talk with a professional.

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• This is particularly important for patients who take methadone at home and are not required to take medication under direct supervision at an OTP.
• Effects of overdose may include slow and shallow breathing, hypotension, blue lips and nails, muscle spasms, convulsions, coma, and possible death.
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• Because heroin can cause physical and psychological dependence with repeated use, it can be very easy to develop an addiction to heroin, now called heroin use disorder.
• Regardless of the type of treatment center that you attend, some form of rehab is usually required to recover from heroin addiction.

Drug overdose deaths

Counseling and therapy treat the psychological and behavioral symptoms. These therapies can be delivered in an inpatient or outpatient setting, but residential treatment is recommended after detox or the initiation of maintenance medication. A variety of effective treatments are available for heroin use disorder, including both behavioral and pharmacological (medications). Both approaches help to restore a degree of normalcy to brain function and behavior, resulting in increased employment rates and lower risk of HIV and other diseases and criminal behavior. Although behavioral and pharmacologic treatments can be extremely useful when utilized alone, research shows that for many people, integrating both types of treatments is the most effective approach.

Other Medications for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

However, it can lead to addiction and cause severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for heroin addiction involves medication and behavioral therapy. A heroin addiction treatment center may offer a combination of treatment approaches to help a person get started on the path to sobriety.

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• Your treatment depends on the drug used and any related medical or mental health disorders you may have.
• People with addiction and their family members may find support groups to help them cope with stress and issues that may occur due to heroin use.
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• Heroin addiction, also called opioid use disorder, is a disorder that involves changes in the brain and behavior as a result of heroin use.

Does it pose a risk of addiction?

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that some people use for recreational purposes. It is an illegal substance that has no recognised medical use in the U.S. Several government and non-profit heroin addiction treatment organizations can provide support for heroin addiction. Some people also develop a tolerance to heroin, meaning they must take increasingly stronger doses to get the same effect.

Addiction can remove an otherwise healthy and contributing member from society, and may lead to severe disability and eventually death. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offer free resources to get you started. People who take heroin often describe feelings of euphoria, although this is often short lived. They may also experience unpleasant side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and itching. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), indicates that a person must meet specific criteria to receive a diagnosis of an OUD.