Signs of Heroin Addiction: What to Look For

A heroin addiction is one of the most physically challenging addictions to overcome. This powerful opioid is highly addictive due to its users feeling pain relief, relaxation, and euphoria. However, long-term heroin abuse leads to people becoming more dependent on the drug as the use continues and tolerance increases, needing more of it to feel the same feelings as when they first started out. This process can lead to addiction, and if they can’t find the substance to abuse, experiencing heroin withdrawal without proper medical supervision can be extremely painful and dangerous, with symptoms including intense cravings, muscle and bone pain, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety. Due to its physical withdrawal symptoms and high risk for overdose, recognizing the signs of heroin addiction is vitally important to preventing the abuse from spiraling out of control.

Overdose deaths from heroin have started to decrease recently, from 13,165 deaths reported in 2020 to 5,871 reported deaths in 2022, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. However, the percentage of these deaths involving both heroin and fentanyl rose to almost 80% in 2022. If a heroin addiction does develop, it’s important to seek proper medical treatment at a professional rehab center like Muse Treatment, which offers detox and drug addiction programs to overcome the abuse properly.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

What Are the Early Signs of Heroin Abuse?

If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one and wondering if a heroin addiction is developing, there are some indicators to look for. Some of the early physical signs that may show heroin abuse has started include the following:

Nausea.
“Track marks” (small puncture wounds) on arms or legs.
Sudden weight loss.
Frequent flu-like symptoms.
Shallow breathing.
Constricted or small pupils.
Drowsiness or nodding off.
Slurred speech.
Flushed skin.
Itching or scratching.

Early behavioral signs of heroin abuse may include:

Loss of motivation.
Significant mood swings.
Sketchy behavior.
Neglecting responsibilities.
Financial problems.
Changes in sleep patterns.
Withdrawing from friends or family.

If you see a friend or loved one displaying these signs, it’s a strong indicator to determine how to know if someone is on heroin.

How Long Does Heroin Stay in Your System?

The highly addictive nature of heroin can have severe effects on our bodies. As tolerance to the drug develops, users will need more and more of the substance to get the same euphoric feeling. The amount and length of use are the main factors that will determine how long heroin will stay in a person’s system. Their metabolism and the type of test used will also factor in how long the drug takes to clear the body’s system.

While many factors will determine how long heroin stays in the body, the short-acting nature of the opioid means it won’t stay for too long. In general, it can be found in urine for two to three days in occasional users and up to seven days in heavy users. Saliva tests typically detect heroin 24 to 36 hours after last use, while hair tests have the most extended detection window, potentially showing heroin use for up to 90 days after stopping use.

How Long Does It Take to Detox From Heroin?

When someone abusing heroin goes through the detox process, it can be an extremely difficult time with physical and mental withdrawal symptoms to overcome. Once they stop abusing heroin, symptoms can begin within six to 12 hours. They can peak around two to three days, with a week needed for symptoms to subside.

The first few days of detox will be the most challenging and intense. The body has become dependent on the substance, and its reaction to withdrawal will not be pleasant, though addiction treatment professionals like the team at Muse Treatment can offer medications to help make things safer and more comfortable. After getting through this initial period, the next three to seven days will gradually decrease the intensity of detox, with most of the symptoms gone after seven to 10 days.

While the detox period may be over, it’s important to know that symptoms can still reoccur due to post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS can occur for weeks or even months after detox, leading to cravings, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

What Are Some Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

When experiencing heroin withdrawal, the symptoms can be quite severe. Often, patients describe the process as experiencing an intense flu-like illness that impacts the body and mind. Early symptoms usually include intense drug cravings, anxiety, restlessness, and physical discomfort such as sweating and chills.

During the most intense period of the detox process, patients can experience a range of severe physical symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Muscle aches and pains can also be unpleasant, as well as tremors or shaking. Patients have also experienced cardiovascular symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure.

Withdrawal from heroin is not just a physical challenge; the mental side has its share of symptoms to overcome as well. Patients can feel depressed and irritable and go through severe mood swings. Many of them also have trouble concentrating or thinking clearly. The intense cravings for heroin often persist throughout the withdrawal process, making it extremely difficult for people to resist using again to alleviate their symptoms without professional help.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

Overcome the Signs of Heroin Addiction With Professional Treatment

No one should go through the heroin detox process without medical supervision. If someone is showing signs of heroin addiction, it’s vital to seek help at a professional addiction rehab center. Once the signs of addiction appear, waiting is no longer an option. The abuse will only deepen without proper help, making the withdrawal process even more difficult.

Muse Treatment offers professional drug addiction detox services to help patients overcome the physical challenges of withdrawal. Once detox is completed, our drug addiction treatment programs tackle the mental side of addiction to help patients learn the causes of their addiction and find solutions to remain sober. We provide personalized care for each of our patients to ensure the process is as comfortable, safe, and effective as possible. Please call us today at 800-426-1818 to learn more about the steps to overcoming heroin addiction at our top-rated rehab facility in Los Angeles.