Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin addiction is a long-term condition that significantly affects both the brain and body. Over time, the brain becomes reliant on heroin to trigger dopamine—the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. As this dependence builds, individuals develop a tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. Eventually, heroin becomes necessary just to function normally, and stopping use can lead to severe, painful withdrawal symptoms. At Evergreen Behavioral Health, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care for those struggling with heroin addiction. Continue reading to explore the nature of heroin addiction and how we approach treatment.
Understanding Heroin
Heroin is an illicit opioid drug derived from morphine, a natural substance found in the seed pods of the opium poppy plant, commonly cultivated in regions like Mexico, Colombia, and parts of Asia. Unlike prescription opioids such as codeine or morphine, heroin is illegal. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies heroin as a Schedule I substance, indicating its high potential for abuse and lack of approved medical use.
In many cases, heroin use begins after the misuse of prescription opioids. Individuals who are prescribed medications like OxyContin or Vicodin for pain relief may develop a dependency. When these medications become too expensive or difficult to obtain, heroin often becomes a more accessible and affordable alternative.
Although it originates from a natural source, heroin’s appearance can vary. Pure heroin is typically a white powder, while other forms may appear as a brown powder or a sticky, black substance known as black tar heroin. Pure white heroin is usually sourced from South America. By the time it reaches the U.S., heroin is often diluted—or “cut”—with substances like sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine, which affects its color and potency. Black tar heroin, predominantly produced in Mexico, owes its dark appearance to impurities and can range in texture from sticky like tar to hard like coal.
Heroin is known on the street by various names, including “Dope,” “Smack,” “H,” “Junk,” “Skag,” “Snow,” “Horse,” “China White,” “Brown,” “Beast,” and “Hero.”
How is Heroin Used?
Heroin can be consumed in several ways, each varying in intensity and onset of effects. The most common method is injection, where users dissolve heroin in water and inject it directly into a vein or muscle. However, heroin can also be sniffed, snorted, or smoked. Some users inhale the vapor using a straw—an act known as “chasing the dragon”—or smoke it using a pipe, joint, or cigarette.
The method of use often depends on the drug’s purity and the user’s preferences. Injection is preferred by about half of heroin users because it delivers effects almost instantly. This rapid onset creates a surge of euphoria, often accompanied by dry mouth and a warming sensation. This initial high is typically followed by alternating periods of drowsiness and alertness.
Smoking heroin produces effects within 10 to 15 minutes. Although the euphoric rush may not be as intense as with injection, users still experience many of the drug’s sedative effects.
While injection was historically the most common method, the availability of high-purity heroin has led to an increase in smoking and sniffing, particularly among younger users. Unfortunately, no method of use reduces the serious risks heroin poses to mental and physical health.
Dangers of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction can severely damage every aspect of a person’s life—physically, mentally, and socially. The longer the addiction persists, the more intense and far-reaching its consequences become.
How Heroin Affects the Body
Although heroin is illegal, its effects on the body mirror those of prescription opioids. Once introduced into the system, heroin binds to specific sites in the brain known as mu-opioid receptors (MORs). These receptors interact with naturally occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate pain, hormone release, and emotional well-being. When heroin activates these receptors—particularly those in the brain’s reward system—it triggers a surge of dopamine, producing intense feelings of pleasure.
While dopamine contributes to the initial high, it also plays a crucial role in reinforcing heroin use. By distorting the brain’s reward prediction system, dopamine strengthens the urge to continue using the drug. Essentially, the brain becomes wired to associate heroin with pleasure, pushing users into a dangerous cycle of compulsive use.
The initial effect of heroin is a euphoric “rush” that often includes a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy sensation in the limbs. The speed and intensity of this rush depend on how rapidly the drug reaches the brain. However, the high fades quickly, giving way to several adverse effects.
Following the rush, users typically experience several hours of drowsiness and mental fog. During this period, cognitive function becomes impaired—concentration weakens, thoughts become hazy, and responsiveness decreases. Simultaneously, heroin depresses the central nervous system, slowing heart rate and respiration. This can escalate the risk of coma, permanent brain damage, or even death.
Short-term physical effects of heroin use may include:
- Intense itching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disorientation and clouded thinking
- Poor coordination and slowed reflexes
- A heavy feeling in arms and legs
- Alternating states of alertness and semi-consciousness
Long-Term Physical Effects of Heroin Use
Chronic heroin use can fundamentally alter the brain’s structure and function. These changes can disrupt hormone regulation and cognitive performance, often leading to impairments in decision-making, emotional control, and stress management. Research has shown that long-term heroin use may also reduce white matter in the brain, which is essential for logical thinking, memory, and behavioral regulation.
Additional long-term health consequences may include:
- Collapsed veins from repeated injections
- Heart infections, including endocarditis
- Chronic insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Lung complications and respiratory issues
- Liver and kidney disease
- Decreased sexual function and libido
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Weak immune system
- Cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection)
- Gum disease and severe dental issues
- Muscle weakness and partial paralysis
- Memory loss and diminished mental performance
- Increased risk of depression and other mental health issues
- Pulmonary conditions, such as various forms of pneumonia
- Abscesses—painful, pus-filled infections in tissues
- Tissue damage in the nasal passages (especially from snorting)
- Physical dependence, increased tolerance, and full-blown addiction
Despite the wide range of damaging effects, many individuals continue using heroin, often unaware—or unable to escape—the dangerous grip it has on their health and life.
Mental and Emotional Impact of Heroin Addiction
Heroin profoundly alters brain chemistry, impairing mood, mental clarity, and emotional balance. In the beginning stages, users may experience intense euphoria, but this is often followed by emotional crashes and instability. Over time, continued use results in confusion, mood swings, irritability, and a growing detachment from reality.
Prolonged heroin use can lead to serious, lasting mental health challenges. As the brain loses its ability to naturally produce dopamine, many users suffer from persistent depression and anxiety. In more severe cases, individuals may develop paranoia, experience hallucinations, or endure full-blown psychotic episodes.
Cognitive decline is another major consequence. Essential functions such as memory, focus, and sound decision-making begin to deteriorate. Feelings of hopelessness often intensify—particularly during withdrawal—sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts. Additionally, heroin addiction is commonly linked with co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia. These overlapping conditions complicate treatment and can amplify emotional distress.
How Heroin Addiction Affects Social Life
Heroin addiction often tears apart relationships, disrupts careers, and creates a cascade of legal and financial problems. As the addiction deepens, trust breaks down. Lying, stealing, and secretive behavior become increasingly common, driving a wedge between users and their family or friends. Responsibilities are neglected, social engagements are avoided, and emotional bonds deteriorate.
Financial hardship is a frequent and severe consequence. Sustaining a heroin addiction is expensive, and many individuals lose their jobs due to poor performance or chronic absenteeism. In an effort to fund their addiction, users may resort to borrowing money, selling possessions, or engaging in illegal activities. In extreme circumstances, this can lead to homelessness.
The legal ramifications are equally serious. Heroin possession and distribution are criminal offenses that can result in arrest, incarceration, and court-ordered rehabilitation. Some individuals become involved in theft, fraud, or sex work to support their addiction, deepening both their legal issues and personal struggles.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction impacts every dimension of a person’s life—from physical health and behavior to emotional stability and mental clarity. Identifying the early signs can be a critical step toward seeking help before the addiction worsens.
Physical Signs of Heroin Addiction
Heroin’s effects on the central nervous system often lead to visible and progressive physical changes. These signs become increasingly pronounced with continued use:
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Heroin suppresses appetite, often resulting in rapid, unhealthy weight reduction.
- Extreme Drowsiness or “Nodding Off”: Users may appear unusually tired or fade in and out of consciousness.
- Track Marks and Bruises: Repeated injection can leave noticeable puncture wounds, bruising, or scarring on the arms or other injection sites.
- Skin Problems: Chronic itching, frequent infections, or open sores can develop.
- Pinpoint Pupils: Very small pupils, even in dim lighting, are a common and easily identifiable symptom.
- Slowed Heart Rate and Breathing: Heroin depresses the nervous system, often leading to shallow breathing and low blood pressure.
- Digestive Issues: Users frequently suffer from nausea, vomiting, and constipation due to the drug’s effect on the gastrointestinal system.
Behavioral Signs of Heroin Addiction
As heroin addiction takes hold, noticeable behavioral shifts often emerge. These changes can strain relationships, affect employment, and lead to legal trouble:
- Secrecy and Dishonesty: Users often become secretive and deceptive to hide their substance use.
- Financial Problems: Supporting a heroin habit is expensive, which may lead to debt, borrowing money, or even theft.
- Neglected Responsibilities: Work, school, and family obligations are often abandoned in favor of drug use.
- Isolation from Loved Ones: Users may distance themselves from friends and family to avoid confrontation or judgment.
- Risky or Criminal Behavior: Involvement in theft, fraud, or drug dealing is common among those trying to fund their addiction.
- Frequent Disappearances: Long absences may indicate time spent obtaining or using heroin.
- Erratic Sleep Patterns: Heroin disrupts natural sleep cycles, leading to excessive sleepiness or persistent insomnia.
Psychological Signs of Heroin Addiction
Beyond the physical and behavioral effects, heroin significantly alters brain function and emotional health, often resulting in severe mental health concerns:
- Mood Swings: Users may experience sudden emotional shifts—from euphoria to deep irritability or anger.
- Anxiety and Paranoia: The fear of withdrawal or running out of heroin can fuel intense anxiety and mistrust.
- Depression and Despair: Ongoing use often results in emotional numbness, chronic sadness, or thoughts of suicide.
- Hallucinations or Delusions: In more extreme cases, users may experience paranoia, hallucinations, or distorted thinking.
- Cognitive Impairment: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and poor decision-making become more common over time.
- Loss of Motivation or Interests: Hobbies, passions, and personal goals are frequently abandoned as addiction becomes the top priority.
How to Treat Heroin Addiction
Because of heroin’s powerful hold on both the body and mind, overcoming addiction requires a multifaceted, long-term strategy. Recovery is absolutely possible with the right combination of medical care, therapeutic support, and lifestyle changes.
Detoxification
The recovery journey typically begins with detoxification, a process in which the body eliminates heroin from the system. After prolonged use, the body becomes physically dependent on the drug, so suddenly stopping can be a shock—triggering withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening.
Detox is not something to go through alone. Medically supervised detox ensures that individuals remain safe, comfortable, and monitored throughout the process.
At Evergreen Behavioral Health, we provide personalized detox placement services to match individuals with care that meets their unique needs.
Heroin Withdrawal
Though challenging, heroin withdrawal is a necessary step that allows the brain to begin restoring its natural chemical balance. Compared to many other substances—including prescription opioids—heroin withdrawal can be more intense and faster-acting.
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, peak around days 2–3, and subside within a week. However, some individuals may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which can last 18 to 24 months and may include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Panic attacks
- Fatigue and restlessness
- Mood swings and irritability
- Hypersensitivity
- Memory issues
The good news is that with continued sobriety and support, these symptoms gradually fade over time.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based approach that combines FDA-approved medications with therapy to help individuals manage cravings, stabilize brain chemistry, and reduce the risk of relapse.
- Methadone: A long-acting opioid that prevents withdrawal and eases cravings without producing a high.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol): Blocks the euphoric effects of heroin and discourages future use.
When paired with counseling and behavioral therapies, MAT significantly boosts the chances of long-term recovery.
Therapy and Counseling
Therapy plays a vital role in helping individuals explore the underlying causes of addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild their lives.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with drug use. By understanding personal triggers and learning alternative responses, people can reduce cravings and build resilience against relapse.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): This therapeutic approach focuses on enhancing a person’s internal motivation to change. Through guided, supportive conversations, individuals are encouraged to explore their values and reasons for quitting, helping to cultivate long-term commitment.
- Family and Group Therapy: Since addiction often strains personal relationships, therapy can also involve loved ones. Family therapy works to repair communication and heal emotional rifts, while group therapy fosters a sense of community and shared experience, offering support, accountability, and encouragement.
- Individual Therapy: Offers a private space to work through trauma, mental health conditions, or emotional struggles that contribute to drug use.
Support Groups and Peer Networks
Peer support is an invaluable part of recovery. It provides a sense of community, shared understanding, and accountability that can make all the difference.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA): A widely available 12-step program based on mutual support and personal growth.
- Non-12-Step Alternatives: Programs like SMART Recovery and LifeRing offer science-based, secular approaches to recovery. These focus on self-empowerment, cognitive tools, and personal development without a spiritual component.
- The Power of Peer Support: Engaging with others who understand the challenges of addiction reduces feelings of isolation and offers practical tips, encouragement, and a shared sense of purpose.
Building a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining recovery goes beyond treatment—it involves making meaningful lifestyle changes that support physical and emotional well-being.
- Daily Structure: Having a consistent schedule promotes stability and helps manage stress.
- Exercise and Nutrition: Physical activity enhances mood, and a balanced diet aids in physical recovery.
- Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or creative hobbies can serve as healthy emotional outlets.
- Avoiding Triggers: Recognizing and steering clear of environments or people that encourage drug use is essential.
Long-Term Recovery and Preventing Relapse
Sustaining recovery is a lifelong process that requires planning, commitment, and continued support. Building strong coping strategies and a safety net is key to long-term success.
- Coping Skills: Tools like deep breathing, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing help manage emotional challenges.
- Relapse Prevention Plans: Identifying high-risk situations and preparing a plan helps individuals respond effectively to potential setbacks.
- Support Systems: Staying connected to loved ones, peer groups, and mental health professionals provides encouragement, accountability, and hope.
Heroin Addiction Treatment in Maine
If you or someone you care about is struggling with heroin addiction, know that compassionate, professional help is available. Evergreen Behavioral Health offers flexible, outpatient programs at our office in Portland, Maine.
Our treatment center is open 24/7, and our programs are designed to support recovery while allowing clients to maintain work, school, and family obligations. We know that effective treatment must also be practical, which is why we focus on helping clients apply the tools and strategies learned in therapy to their everyday lives.
Call us at (888) 907-7290, email info@evergreenbh.com, or visit us in person at 707 Sable Oaks Drive in South Portland, ME (04106).
Don’t wait—your path to healing starts now.