Heroin Addiction

There is currently a growing epidemic of heroin addiction around the globe. Some people are introduced to heroin in social circumstances and use it occasionally until they ultimately become addicted. In some places, such as the United States, Australia, and south-east Asia, opiate-based pain medications have been liberally prescribed causing people to become addicted to them. Once the prescriptions can no longer be filled, some people turn to “street drugs” such as heroin as a replacement.

Like all drugs, people who abuse heroin do so because it makes them feel good. In small doses, heroin gives the user a warm feeling, and a sense of well-being. In larger doses, it relaxes, and causes the user to become sleepy. Even though one’s first dose of heroin can bring on dizziness and vomiting, it’s highly addictive, so once the good effects are produced, it becomes very difficult for a person to stop taking it. After taking heroin, the effects can last for a few hours, and it can be made even more dangerous by taking other drugs, or consuming alcohol, at the same time.

Addiction happens very quickly with heroin, and it’s such a dangerous drug because of the strong physical addiction, as well as psychological dependence. Addicts also develop a tolerance to the drug’s effects requiring them to use more and more of the drug to attain a similar “high”. In many cases use of the drug no longer results in a high but simply becomes routine to stay “normal” and avoid the illness associated with withdrawal, which can in itself be fatal if not carried out under medical supervision.

Most heroin addicts are accustomed to heroin that has been “stepped on”, or cut with an additive which weakens the drug’s potency. It is not uncommon for addicts who unknowingly obtain a purer form of the drug to overdose and die. Heroin in its purest form is a white powder, but most heroin is now mixed with other ingredients in order to increase profits for drug dealers. In these cases, the drug can be brown. Injecting heroin also carries with it the risk of spreading diseases such as HIV, AIDs, and hepatitis C when sharing needles. Excessive injecting into the same part of the body can also leave the user at risk of damaging their veins, or developing an abscess or blood clot. Taking heroin can also lead to coma, respiratory failure, and death. If you are sick once taking heroin, and pass out, you may choke on the vomit, as heroin acts as a sedative and stops you from coughing properly.

Being a heroin user also takes a lot of funds. A bag of heroin is usually around £10 and, though it differs from place to place, sustaining a heroin addiction can cost up to £100 a day. Furthermore, being caught supplying heroin to another person, even if that person is your friend, could lead to life in prison.

The first step to beating heroin addiction is acknowledging that you have a problem. If your heart isn’t in getting help, then you won’t ask for it. Sometimes, it takes a friend, family member, or someone close to you to tell you that you need help. You can’t always realize that something is wrong when you’re battling a drug addiction. But once you do know, it’s imperative that you take the steps necessary to beat your addiction.

It would be impossible to face recovery from a heroin addiction alone. For one thing, detoxing can be dangerous, and puts a real strain on both your physical and mental wellbeing. And it’s also incredibly important to seek the advice and support of trained professionals, who can guide you through your recovery safely.

Because there can be an intense physical and psychological dependency, heroin addiction treatment must be holistic in nature. Detox from heroin can be extremely unpleasant with severe flu like symptoms that can last several days. It can also lead to nausea, abdominal pain, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and shaking, as well as psychological symptoms like anxiety, nervousness, and feelings of depression. In most cases, detox is achieved with the use of a medication prescribed by an attending physician to ease any discomfort caused by withdrawal from heroin addiction. The medication is then tapered off over time. The most widely used medication is Methadone, although tranquilizers or sleep aids may be used in addition, or on their own in cases where the heroin addiction is less profound. Following detox, an individualized program of treatment is created here at LANNA Rehab in Thailand to address the psychological addiction as well as the damage done to the body from prolonged heroin use. Many cases of addiction stem from emotional, mental, or physical trauma, the latter being particularly prevalent in heroin addiction due to its use as a painkiller.

Treating the psychological addiction consists of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), one-on-one therapy sessions, group sessions, and more. A physical trainer works with you to create an exercise regime, which can include yoga and meditation. Exercise encourages the release of endorphins in your brain, which will help to lift your mood, and actually create a sensation similar to that of morphine. And, of course, the physical benefits to exercise cannot be overlooked.

Although our cuisine is world class, it is also geared toward aiding in the healing of the body and brain. Additionally, sessions in mindfulness training are very important in helping you understand the mind-body connection and in making you aware off the signals your body sends you and how to act on them. In this way, you’ll be more in tune with your own body, and this will aid in relapse prevention. Because of our luxurious, tropical location here in Thailand, you will have privacy and the ability to focus on all aspects of recovery, including renewing your interest in life, finding your soul and beginning to live again. Our exotic location will relax you and ensure there’s nothing to distract you from focusing on your drug addiction. Swimming pools and reclining loungers give a sense of luxury. We also offer massage services, giving you the chance to properly unwind and concentrate on beating your heroin addiction.

It’s our wish that, once you leave LANNA, having completed the first steps in your recovery from heroin addiction, you will be able to lead an independent life, free from the possibility of a relapse.

The mindfulness training mentioned above will be useful to you long after you leave us. We believe that your treatment for heroin addiction shouldn’t, and won’t, end there. It is one of the most serious addictions, and you’ll need support for a period after you leave rehab to ensure you don’t relapse. LANNA offers professional heroin Rehab in Thailand and we work with our treatment partners around the world, including Australia, south-east Asia, and the United States to make sure you have options when you get back home to continue the great work you’ve started here. We also advise that you connect with a support group back at home.

Your family should also be part of your support network at home – we offer family therapy sessions that will help educate them on addiction and how to play a role in aiding your recovery. Education is key when battling heroin addiction, for you and those around you. Our complimentary 5-day Refresher Program is available to all LANNA Alumni on an annual basis and we encourage you to take advantage of it. Whilst we endeavor to offer you the highest quality treatment, and hope to help you in every way possible during your treatment for heroin addiction, the real hard work must be done by you. It won’t be easy, but we will try and ease some of the difficulties you’ll face by providing you with five-star care, medical supervision, and treatments both physical and psychological to ensure you have the best chance at beating your addiction.