What Are the Most Common Heroin Addiction Symptoms?

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal drug derived from morphine, a substance that is naturally found in the seed pods of certain varieties of poppy plants. It’s often used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Repeat use in pursuit of these effects can lead to the development of heroin addiction symptoms.

Believe it or not, heroin was once a brand name for legal medicine. In 1897, a scientist working for Bayer synthesized heroin from the opium poppy. For a long time, it was marketed as a non-addictive alternative to morphine and could be bought over the counter.

In 1924, Congress banned its sale, importation, and manufacture when it passed the Heroin Act. Today, it’s classified as a Schedule I Substance under the Controlled Substances Act – the highest level of classification there is.

Chemically, heroin belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids, which also includes legal, prescription medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system to produce their euphoric effects.

Heroin is known by many names and is usually a white or brown powder, or it can be a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” It can be injected, inhaled by snorting or sniffing, or smoked. These methods deliver the drug to the brain very rapidly, contributing to its health risks and a high potential for addiction.

Heroin addiction is a particularly dangerous and destructive form of substance abuse. Heroin addiction symptoms are so powerful that many people require special medications to detox from heroin.

In this article, we’ll talk about the effects of heroin, heroin addiction symptoms, and what to do if you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction.

Why Is Heroin So Addictive?

Heroin is highly addictive due to its powerful effects on the brain’s reward system. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in the perception of pain and reward. These receptors are found in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body.

When heroin is taken, it is converted into morphine in the brain, which then binds to the opioid receptors. This causes a surge of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of reward, to be released in the brain. This causes intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria, the first step to heroin addiction.

However, these feelings are temporary, and when the effects of the drug wear off, the person often feels a strong desire to recreate that initial rush.

As a result, individuals who use heroin often find themselves taking the drug more frequently and in ever higher doses. This pattern of escalating use can quickly lead to heroin addiction symptoms. In that case, it may be time for inpatient treatment for an addiction to heroin. 

The Most Common Heroin Addiction Symptoms

Heroin addiction symptoms can be both physical and behavioral. Recognizing them can be a crucial first step toward seeking help.

Physical Heroin Addiction Symptoms:

• Changes in appearance — Neglect of personal hygiene, wearing long sleeves to hide needle marks, sudden and significant weight loss, runny nose, or frequent nosebleeds (if the drug is snorted).
• Health issues —  Skin infections or abscesses at injection sites, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. More serious health issues can include heart infections, liver or kidney disease, and HIV or hepatitis (from shared needles).
• Drug tolerance and dependence —  Needing to use more of the drug to experience the same effects, or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not taken.
• Overdose —  Slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and nails, convulsions, coma, and potentially death.

Behavioral Heroin Addiction Symptoms:

• Changes in behavior or personality — Increased secrecy, sudden changes in friends or hobbies, mood swings, and periods of hyperactivity followed by long periods of sleep.
• Decreased performance —  Failing performance at school or work, frequent absences, loss of job, or expulsion from school.
• Legal or financial trouble —  Arrests for possession of the drug, stealing to support the habit or unexplained need for money.
• Problems at home —  Neglect of family responsibilities, increasing arguments or violence, neglect of children, or missing valuable items (due to being sold for drugs).
• Lack of control over drug use —  Inability to stop or control drug use, spending a lot of time using and recovering from the drug, giving up activities they once enjoyed in favor of drug use.
• Lack of control over drug use —  Inability to stop or control drug use, spending a lot of time using and recovering from the drug, giving up activities they once enjoyed in favor of drug use.

What Are Some Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Here are some common heroin withdrawal symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Migraines
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Aches and pains
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness
• Runny nose
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Goosebumps
• Chills
• Tremors

In severe cases, withdrawal can also include more serious symptoms such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and even hallucinations or delirium. These symptoms may require hospitalization and medical treatment. An addiction and behavioral health treatment program can help. Our opiate withdrawal and recovery center can help anyone on the path to a brighter future. 

While heroin withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, it can be highly distressing, and the discomfort and intense cravings for the drug can often lead to relapse. Because of this, a medical detox is often required. Medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.