An addiction to heroin can have a devastating impact on one’s physical and mental health, but that does not mean recovery is impossible. With the guidance of a heroin rehab center, anyone can learn to manage their symptoms and regain functionality in their everyday lives.
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What Is Heroin?
The United States faces a widespread crisis known as the opioid epidemic. Opioids are highly addictive painkillers that come in many forms, including hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl, and of course, heroin.
Heroin is a synthetic drug created from morphine, which originates from the seed pods of certain opium poppy plants. It can come in a powdered form or a dark, sticky substance referred to as black tar heroin. Depending on the type of heroin used, people can inject, snort, sniff, or smoke it.
After heroin enters someone’s body, it bonds to opioid receptors in the brain that manage feelings of pleasure and pain. This interaction causes people who use heroin to feel a surge of euphoria, though additional side effects accompany the “high” as well, including dry mouth, nausea, and impaired mental functioning.
Furthermore, prolonged use of heroin can result in an assortment of adverse, long-term consequences, such as:
- Infection of heart lining and valves
- Collapsed veins (if injected)
- Damaged nose tissue (if snorted)
- Liver and kidney disease
- Stomach abscesses
- Pneumonia
- Insomnia
To avoid these symptoms or prevent them from worsening further, individuals can elect to enroll at a heroin rehab center. Heroes’ Mile opens its door to veterans living with substance use disorders.
Veterans and Heroin Abuse
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in four veterans receive a prescription for opioid medications. And when used as directed, prescription opioids can provide veterans with pain relief.
On paper, this sounds promising, especially because veterans are particularly susceptible to chronic pain. In particular, military experiences like combat exposure, as well as post-traumatic stress and military sexual trauma, often contribute to long-term pain.
Unfortunately, the highly addictive nature of prescription opioids can cause addiction. Consider that 80 percent of heroin users misused prescription medications before switching to heroin. So how do people transition from prescription opioids to heroin?
When prescriptions run out, or if a doctor refuses to increase the dosage, someone may look for alternative ways to achieve the same “high.” This can result in someone turning to heroin. Thus, because so many veterans are prescribed opioids, they are at a higher risk of falling down this addictive pipeline. And often, the only way forward is through a heroin rehab for veterans.
Heroin Rehab Programs
Veterans looking into heroin rehab will quickly find that they have several treatment programs from which to choose. The best choice varies on a case-by-case basis and depends on factors such as severity of addiction and home environment. We’ll discuss three common rehab programs for heroin abuse, how they work, and why they might be the right fit for you.
Medical Detox
Consistent use of heroin over a long period of time can cause one’s body to develop a physical dependence on it. This means that if they tried to stop using heroin suddenly, they would face unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Some symptoms, like sweating and nausea, are on the milder side, but heroin withdrawal symptoms may also include:
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
Because of the potential severity of symptoms, a heroin detox should be performed at a rehab center under medical supervision. At Heroes’ Mile, a dedicated team of doctors and addiction experts will monitor your status throughout the five- to seven-day process. They will work diligently to soothe withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
Many journeys through heroin rehab begin with detox, and we can meet all your individual needs to ensure these first steps toward recovery go smoothly. We prioritize patient safety and comfort, and we will make detox as easy on your body as possible. By providing medical support and a calm, sober environment, detoxing from heroin does not have to be a dangerous or overly stressful procedure.
Inpatient Treatment for Heroin
For the most intensive level of care, someone may enroll in a residential heroin rehab program. Since inpatient clients live on-site at the treatment facility, they receive 24/7 care. This allows them to spend the most possible time engaged in a variety of therapeutic activities.
Some of the treatment options used at Heroes’ Mile include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- 12-step programming
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
The combination of educational therapies with a network of veteran support groups makes inpatient treatment for heroin addiction highly effective. Because Heroes’ Mile is a veterans-exclusive addiction center, everyone around you will be able to understand and relate to your experiences in the military.
Those who choose to undergo inpatient heroin rehab will spend most of their time developing new coping skills. They will learn healthier ways to process emotions, communicate with others, and cope with past traumatic experiences. Most importantly, they will get to do so in a safe, peaceful, and sober environment, which allows them to focus purely on recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
After completing inpatient treatment, or for those who start with a less severe drug addiction, outpatient treatment may also be an option. Outpatient heroin rehab has many treatment options in common with its inpatient counterpart, but patients engage in them less frequently. Someone in outpatient treatment may only visit the facility for one to two hours per day.
In addition to the previously mentioned therapies and focus groups, outpatient treatment shifts more of its focus to the future. Outpatient clients can reconnect with their families, get involved with their community, and return to work. If they started in residential rehab, this transitionary period allows them to apply the life skills they learned during inpatient treatment to real-world settings.
Furthermore, outpatient heroin rehab emphasizes relapse prevention planning. Our staff at Heroes’ Mile care about your long-term sobriety, and we’ll help you plan for that level of success.
Heroin Rehab Center for Veterans
Heroes’ Mile in DeLand, Florida is the top addiction treatment center for veterans. With treatment programs designed for veterans by veterans, our patients know they can rely on our staff to understand their experiences on a far deeper level than civilian rehab centers. Our team of licensed physicians and addiction specialists will be with you every step of the way, from admission to discharge and beyond.
If you have additional questions about our heroin rehab programs or want to get started on recovery, call our admissions experts at 888-838-6692. You can also fill out one of our confidential contact forms with any of your queries or concerns. We are eager to hear from you and put you on the path to recovery.
The post Heroin Rehab for Veterans: What to Expect appeared first on Heroes’ Mile Veterans Recovery Center.
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Original Author: Heroes’ Mile
