When a person is in the hospital, and they have pain that needs to be managed, there is a chance that the staff will administer morphine, which is an incredibly potent pain reliever. Outside of a hospital, some people may use heroin, which is derived from morphine.

Opiates such as heroin are incredibly addictive substances, and without a medical team to supervise their use, many people can fall into patterns of misuse and addiction. Sierra Recovery offers comprehensive and cost-effective heroin addiction treatment in a beautiful, rustic inpatient centre in Malaga, Spain.

Heroin Addiction in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the use of heroin is rare. Drug use, in general, is low throughout England and Wales. The number can fluctuate yearly, although there are relatively few users in the United Kingdom.

While there are not that many people in the United Kingdom who are addicted to heroin, those who are will need comprehensive detox and recovery services so they can live a life that is entirely their own.

It should also be noted that while the use of heroin itself is low in the United Kingdom, the use of other opioids has risen since 1993. In 2020, heroin and morphine accounted for 2.34 deaths per 100,000 people, a 667% rise since then.

What Is Heroin Addiction?

Heroin addiction is a form of opioid use disorder. When a person is addicted to heroin, using it becomes their highest priority. Everything else in their life becomes secondary, and they become preoccupied with heroin to the point that it dominates their waking hours.

When a person has a heroin addiction, they use it to the point that they develop a dependence on it and require its use to function normally. They may develop withdrawal symptoms if they are unable to use heroin for any reason.

Signs of Heroin Addiction

Addiction may look different for everyone, but some similarities characterise it. Usually, these signs become more and more evident as time passes, so it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Loss of Control

One of the strongest signs that someone has developed a heroin addiction is that they lose control over their use. People with an addiction won’t be able to control their impulses. They may try to stop or at least slow down their heroin use. Without professional heroin treatment, however, they will almost certainly give in to their cravings and use again.

Tolerance

As previously mentioned, the long-term use of heroin will lead to dependence. However, that dependence can also lead to tolerance. Eventually, the body will adjust to the presence of heroin, and when it does, the effects can be dulled. This will almost certainly drive users to use more heroin to get high. This is a dangerous effect of addiction as it increases a user’s risk of overdose.

Behavioural Changes

Because heroin becomes the highest priority for those who are affected by addiction, their behaviour may change. They may isolate themselves from their family and friends to hide their drug use, or they may replace their social circles with other users.

What Heroin Does to a Person

Short-Term Effects

The most prominent short-term effect of heroin is a rush of euphoria. People who experience chronic pain may also experience profound relief from that pain. Users may also become drowsy and develop slow or shallow breathing. Their body temperature may also become lower than normal.

Long-Term Effects

Aside from dependence and tolerance, people who take heroin can develop other long-term effects. A user’s brain matter may deteriorate as a result of their drug addiction, which can affect their ability to make decisions, control their behaviour, and respond to stress. They may also develop hormonal imbalances.

Therapies We Use in Heroin Addiction Treatment

Treatment programmes for addiction will vary. At Sierra Recovery, we utilise evidence-based approaches to help clients maximise their chances of sustaining recovery even after completing the treatment process.

CBT

One of the most versatile modalities that can be integrated into a treatment programme for heroin abuse is cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT. This modality is focused on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours can interact with each other.

With CBT, a patient is helped to identify their negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to substance use and replace them with healthier ones. A person can change their behaviour by addressing and changing these distorted thoughts and beliefs.

DBT

Some people may use substances to manage overwhelming emotions. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was originally developed to help people with Borderline Personality Disorder and has since proven versatile enough to manage various behavioural health conditions.

By developing skills in the four modules of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, a person can manage their cravings and triggers without turning to substances and set boundaries with people in their lives whose behaviour may not be helpful in the recovery process.

EMDR

Many people who use illicit substances such as heroin may do so to cope with trauma. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that has proven to be quite effective at helping people process traumatic memories. By processing these memories, their emotional impact is dulled, and a major trigger for substance use can be addressed.

Other Treatment for Heroin Use

In addition to the modalities listed above, our treatment centre offers other treatments to help people recover. Horses are an important part of Spanish culture, and at Sierra Recovery, they are also an important part of the recovery process.

We offer equine therapy as part of our care. This treatment can help people learn how to build trust, manage stress, and regulate their emotions, among other benefits.

Other Treatment Options at Sierra Recovery

People seeking treatment for heroin addiction may not all have the same needs. It’s not unusual for a person who has a substance use disorder to also struggle with their mental health.

Personalised treatment is an essential part of our approach. Some people may need more individual therapy sessions to meet their recovery goals, and others may need more time with support groups.

We do not believe in a standardised or ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to treatment and recovery. We’ll work with you or your loved one to understand your needs, and our treatment approach will be tailored to fit those needs.

Talk to Us About Heroin Rehab

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Substances such as opioids can affect anyone. While they are not freely given, they are prescribed to manage pain, and chronic pain isn’t something that chooses who it affects based on class, race, gender, or any other qualifier.

In the same vein, recovery doesn’t discriminate, either. Every person who is affected by addiction can overcome it and build a future that is wholly their own.

Heroin addiction doesn’t have to define your life. It can be a chapter that you move past. A phone call or an email is all it takes to start a recovery journey.