Heroin addiction is seen worldwide, among men, women and even children. Usually injected, sniffed or smoked, the heroin drug is one of the most devastating drugs in the world, physically and mentally. When used, the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and once a person is addicted, is a serious problem. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, which occurs at the point when the person is no longer able to voluntarily stop abusing the drugs. They need the drugs to feel normal and may experience serious withdrawal symptoms if they do attempt to stop. The withdrawal symptoms alone can be so extreme and overwhelming that the person is unable to function properly and usually ends up caving in just to feel normal again. At this point, the person requires professional help in order to get better. No matter how motivated and confident you may be that this is something you can stop on your own, you should know that addicts are in a different world and no person is strong enough to do it all alone.
Especially when dealing with a drug as serious and toxic as heroin, it is really out of your hands and you give yourself the best chances of getting and staying clean if you go through with professional treatment. That means finding a rehab facility in your city or town, where you can get started with inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Suboxone is a type of drug, a prescription medication that is helped to treat heroin addiction. The purpose of the individual using the Suboxone drug is to counteract the effects of heroin. When the person is getting treated with Suboxone, they will not get the same “high” if they use heroin, which not only helps allow the body time to heal, but which also gives the addict reason not to use because they know there is no point.
As one of the most effective treatments for heroin addiction, many doctors prescribe Suboxone to their patients. This narcotic medication is available only by prescription and in many cases the person is required to take their dosage at a clinic, where they are supervised and thus prevented from abusing the drug.
There are certain side effects which may be experienced as a result of taking Suboxone, as there are with other prescription medications. In this case, that includes slow breathing, dizziness and confusion, headache, pain, problems sleeping, nausea sweating, stomach pain and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, you can consider them normal but if they get too bad, you need to contact your doctor immediately. If severe, these symptoms could be the sign of an allergic reaction.
It is also important to realize that there are other drugs which can have a negative effect on your body while taking Suboxone, and which can affect the results of Suboxone. Talk to your doctor about this and also advise them if you have any existing health conditions which may cause complications before taking Suboxone. If you have problems urinating, an enlarged prostate gland, low thyroid condition, gallbladder or kidney problems, you should let your doctor know this beforehand.
Dealing with heroin addictions is never easy. As one of the most addictive drugs in the world, and with heroin addiction and abuse continuing to rise, this is an extremely serious matter and must be dealt with appropriately. The short and long-term effects of this and other opiate drugs are substantial, and can be detrimental, and physical dependence only continues to develop with higher doses of the drug. Effects can include anything from depressed respiration, clouded mental functioning, suppression of pain and bacterial infections, to abscesses, infections of heart lining and valves and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a heroin addiction, it is important to get help as soon as possible. This is not something you want to put off and you never know one day to the next whether you are going to win this battle, or succumb to the effects of heroin. Not only are the side effects devastating, but also potentially life threatening. Even a single use of heroin can result in irreparable damage to your body or overdose.
At least you know that you do have options, that there are ways to get clean and sober for once and for all. You don’t have to live with your heroin addiction forever, and the Suboxone drug can make the difference between continuing to abuse heroin and getting clean and sober and taking back your life. Talk to your doctor to get more information and to get started if you think this is the right method of treatment for you. Your doctor will need to ask you some general questions and consider you as a candidate for the medication, before determining whether or not this is the right choice for you.
