Heroin addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that is affecting the lives of many Americans. Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that alters physical and psychological functions. If you suspect a loved one of using heroin, you may want to learn what the signs of heroin addiction are.

Signs of Heroin Addiction

There are many clues that may point to heroin use and we will discuss some of the more common ones here:

1. The first thing to look for is drug paraphernalia that heroin addicts use. If someone is injecting heroin they will be using a spoon to hold the heroin in while heating it over a flame, and a hypodermic needle to inject the heroin into a vein. You may also find some type of filter, and a candle or lighter to heat the heroin. Something that can be used to tie off an arm, such as a belt or cord, will also be used by the addict to find a good vein for injection. This is the drug paraphernalia that a heroin addict will use to shoot up.

2. Some addicts like to smoke their heroin and will use glass pipes with a rounded base. Others prefer to use metal pipes, and may even fashion one out of items found around the home.

3. You may find heroin stored in colorful plastic baggies or in deflated balloons that are tied at the end. Heroin is white in its purest form, but is more commonly seen as a brown or black sticky tar substance.

4. A less common form of taking heroin is putting the drug on a bed of aluminum foil to heat it up and then inhaling the vapors through a straw. A lighter or candle will be needed to heat the heroin.

Heroin abuse will affect many aspects of the addict’s life and there will be noticeable signs and symptoms to look for:

5. When an addict uses heroin, the opioids in the drug will cause him to feel euphoric. This high is followed by a noticeable drop in his energy level. Drowsiness will overtake the addict and he may become confused and mentally slow. His sleep patterns may change and he may go in and out of consciousness.

6. Addicts become very adept at lying to cover-up their actions and behavior. They may begin to withdraw from family and friends and they will make up stories to explain their behavior. They may also use manipulation and blame other people and situations for their problems, and almost never be accountable for their own actions.

7. The appearance of the addict will begin to change too. The hands, feet and mouth of the addict may turn blue. They may appear unkempt with wrinkled, dirty clothing, hair and nails, and they may emit body odor from a lack of bathing. Tooth and gum disease may develop from a lack of dental hygiene. The pupils of their eyes will constrict for a few hours after using heroin and the addict may scratch a lot due to itchy skin.
Heroin addiction also causes the addict to begin to lose weight because they do not eat while they are high and coming off of the drug. Malnutrition may develop, impairing the immune system and the addict may be at risk for contracting infectious diseases.

8. Heroin can cause sudden changes in mood and behavior. The addict may show signs of hostility, memory loss, restlessness and delusions. Addicts usually choose isolation, away from family and friends, so that they can do their drug without interference. They often suffer loneliness and become depressed.

9. You may notice track marks, from injections, on their arms, hands, neck, ankles and feet along with scars and bruises. They may also use the street slang for heroin which includes: junk, dope, brown sugar, smack, H, horse, Charley, white, Dr, Feelgood, China, and Mr. Brownstone.

Other physical symptoms that the heroin addict may experience are shivering, nausea, vomiting, weakness, heart problems, shallow breathing, kidney and liver disease, heart valve infections, coma and death from overdose. Social signs include criminal activity, stealing money from family and friends, loss of employment, financial problems, marital and family problems, child abuse and loss of child custody.

Knowledge is key in helping your loved one fight heroin addiction. Try to learn about heroin and addiction, and what the short and long-term effects of the drug are. Familiarize yourself with recovery programs that offer a safe medically-assisted detox, and psychological counseling. Also learn about treatment medications such as Naloxone, Methadone and Suboxone.

Aftercare support groups and counseling will help the addict stay on his path to wellness. Recovery from heroin addiction is a life-long process, and recovering addicts needs all the love, encouragement, and support that family and friends can give. Charleston Drug Treatment Centers is your ultimate recovery guide. Just give us a call today at (843) 480-9956 for information.