Heroin intervention is can be an opportunity for helping someone in denial of their addiction, receive treatment immediately. Through a professional intervention, there is still hope your loved one to have the professional help they need in overcoming their addiction to heroin. The Behavioral Health Barometer survey showed an estimated 7.3 million individuals in 2012 were physically dependent on or abused illicit drugs within the year. It is important to find out your options before it is too late.

What is Heroin?

Heroin produces a downer effect and blocks the brain’s ability to recognize pain. Similar to the opiate medications used to treat pain. Heroin is also known as “black tar” or “smack”. In 2004, Afghanistan produces roughly 87% of the world supply of raw opium and Mexico producing the second largest opium producer in the world. Heroin is a dangerous illicit and very addictive drug. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to heroin, we can help. KD Consulting can help you and your family through a difficult time when faced with a loved one abusing drugs. If you need a drug intervention for someone in denial or need to find the right drug treatment for your loved one, we can help.

Heroin and Physical Symptoms of Withdrawal

Physical symptoms with heroin abuse withdrawal can include muscle and bone pain, restlessness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, cold flashes, shortness in breath, disorientation, small pupils, dry mouth, and leg cramps.

Heroin Drug Abuse Paraphernalia

Warning signs of heroin abuse and the paraphernalia used to prepare, inject or consume heroin:

• Needles or syringes
• Burned silver spoons
• Straws with burn marks
• Pipes
• Plastic bags, with white or tan powdery substances
• Burned aluminum foil
• Missing shoelaces or surgical tubing to tie off before injection

Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease. The primary objective of a heroin user focuses their day searching and using drugs. Long-term heroin intravenous drug abusers run a high risk of contracting an infectious disease such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and STDs. They also have a higher chance of collapsed veins, abscesses, and other bacterial infections.

Behavioral Signs of Heroin Abuse

• Isolation from friends and family, spending more time with new friends
• Avoiding eye contact
• Lying and manipulative behaviors
• Repeatedly stealing or borrowing money
• Change in appearance, wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide intravenous marks. Decrease attention to hygiene and physical appearance.
• Increase in time spent sleeping
• Loss of motivation
• Performance in school or work has declined or even loss of a job.

If you believe your loved one or friend is in desperate need of an intervention please contact KD Consulting Interventions at 866-631-0026 to learn more about what you can do to save them today.

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One of the things that make heroin and opiates so addictive is the feeling of euphoria that these drugs initiate in the brain. Everyone wants to feel good and these drugs are a quick way to get these feelings.

The feelings of euphoria that these drugs give a person is so strong that addicts are able to ignore the more negative effects that follows the initial euphoric feelings. These effect include:

• Severe itching
• Drowsiness
• Slowing of the persons breathing and heartbeat
• Clouded mental functions
• Possible hypothermia, coma and death

Other effects of Heroin and/or opiate addiction may be:

• Vein collapse and infections
• weakened immune system
• Infection of the heart
• Increase risk of tuberculous, hepatitis C, and Aids
• Increase in risky or criminal behavior in order to score the heroine or opiates

Why A Professional Heroin and Opiate Addiction Intervention Program is Needed

It is simply impossible for a heroin or opiate addict to quit using these drugs on their own. Not only does the cravings for these drugs make it difficult for an addict to quit cold turkey, but the withdrawal symptoms from these drugs can be serious and even dangerous.

What A Heroin and Opiate Addiction Intervention Program Entails

A heroin and opiate addiction intervention program may start with a professionally counseled intervention for the addict staged by the addict’s family and friends. It is essential to have the aid of a professional counselor who has experience in staging interventions to guide the family through the intervention process.

Once the intervention takes place, if it is successful, it is essential that the addict is admitted immediately into a professional heroin and opiate treatment program. Here is what is included in a professional heroin and opiate treatment program.

• Medical Detoxification- Before an addict can receive treatment to deal with their addiction they first need to detoxify from the drug. This detoxification needs to be done under the strict supervision of medical and mental health professionals. Cold sweats, diarrhea, muscle cramps, depression and anxiety, mood swings, vomiting, and seizures may occur and the addict may need medical help from medications to help them deal with these withdrawal symptoms. In addition, mental health professions can help addicts deal with their feelings of depression and anxiety in order to give the addict the best chance of becoming healthier after the detoxification process.
• Addiction Treatment– Once the patient has completed the detoxification process they then can begin the actual addiction treatment phrase. During this phase, treatment may include individual and group therapy, helping the addict understand and avoid the triggers that have caused them to use, and tools and coping skills for them to use to remain drug-free.
• After Treatment Support Programs- A good treatment program includes after treatment and support programs to help the drug addict start living a more normal life. This may include a stay in a half-way house, help in finding employment, and continued counseling on an outpatient basis.

Keep in mind that the sooner you get a Heroin or opiate addict the help that they need, the better the chance is that their recovery will be successful.

The post Heroin and Opiate Addiction intervention Programs first appeared on KD Consulting Interventions.