Signs of Heroin Addiction
“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” – Shannon L. Alder
Over 450,000 Wisconsin residents reported having a substance use disorder within the last year. That is almost double the population of Madison. Substance use disorders come in all shapes and sizes, impacting people of all races, ages, and genders. The more we know about substance use disorders, the more we can work to assist those who might be afraid to reach out for help on their own.
Could you spot the signs of heroin addiction if a friend was showcasing them? Not all of the signs are as obvious as you might think. Even from the perspective of someone managing a heroin use disorder, it’s easy to overlook exactly how much it’s impacting your life. Our team here at CleanSlate has a long history of helping people find recovery from opioids like heroin. Our comprehensive treatment program includes helping the loved ones of those recovering from substance use to learn more about it. Today we’re going to answer a common question we hear in our community – what are the signs of a heroin use disorder?
How Does Heroin Use Impact Someone?
When you think of someone who has a substance use disorder – is there a specific idea that comes to mind? Maybe you think of someone who’s malnourished. Someone who seems on edge all the time, and scratches at their arms. Maybe you think of someone who’s always a little angry, ready to snap until they leave for the evening and come back seeming blissed out.
The thing is, substance use disorders (also known as SUDs) aren’t always “in your face”. They do impact people on multiple levels, from physical to behavioral, impacting relationships and even self-care. They can touch every corner of a person’s life. Is this also true for heroin use?
When Does Heroin Use Become a Heroin Use Disorder?
Just like having one beer won’t guarantee that someone develops an alcohol use disorder, trying heroin one time does not mean someone has a heroin use disorder. While no level of illicit substance use is ever safe, a heroin use disorder takes more than a singular factor for it to develop.
Heroin use becomes a heroin use disorder with time. A heroin use disorder means feeling withdrawals when not taking heroin, thinking about it often throughout the day, experiencing disruptions in your work and home life because of heroin consumption, and continuing to pursue heroin even if you’re experiencing negative side effects.
The Visible Side Effects of Heroin Use
Many side effects of substance use are external, both in a physical sense and a behavioral or mental sense. These side effects occur both on a short-term and long-term basis. Let’s go over a few of the most common side effects you can watch for that come from a heroin use disorder.
Physical Side Effects of Heroin Use
Heroin is an opioid, which is a depressant substance. This means it slows down the systems of the body. The type of substance can play a big role in what side effects come from its consumption.
The short-term, physical effects of heroin will often show up as the person is taking the heroin and stays for hours after. These side effects aren’t as glaringly obvious and include dry mouth, tiny pupils, slowed breathing, and slowed heart rate.
The more someone engages with heroin, the more likely they are to develop side effects that remain even when they haven’t had a dose in several hours. This includes lowered sex drive, constipation, dental issues, scarring, and increased risk of infections.
Behavioral Side Effects of Heroin Use
Heroin also impacts the way a person acts. It does this both in how it makes a person feel during their high, as well as how a person can react after those feelings go away.
During a session with heroin, and 3-5 hours after, a person might act confused or clumsy. They’re often subdued and may even go to sleep. They’ll have a reduced appetite and can feel an overall detachment from reality, sometimes referred to as dissociation. The primary emotion they’ll experience during this period, however, is intense pleasure. This feeling is why people often come back to heroin after taking it.
Because of the euphoria that can occur with heroin in your system, when it’s out of your system, it can make a person feel sad by comparison. Long-term heroin use can increase the risk of depression.
Engaging in substance use continually trickles over into other aspects of behavior as well. While this isn’t inherently caused by heroin consumption, it is a result of continued substance use. Relationship problems can arise. A person might start to have difficulties with their finances, including the potential to lose their job. They might also withdraw from activities that they used to enjoy or stop hanging out with some of their friends and family. These behaviors are all indicators of an SUD.
Other Ways to Spot a Heroin Use Disorder
Being aware of other ways to spot a heroin use disorder can be important. The more clues you have about what your loved one might be dealing with, the more equipped you can be to talk with them and offer support. Beyond physical and behavioral signs, there are other context clues you can use to ascertain if they’re dealing with a heroin use disorder.
One thing you can look out for is drug paraphernalia. This could include finding discarded needles, seeing pills or powder stored in unusual places, or spotting things like a pipe hidden away in a bedside drawer. Additionally, if they’re withdrawing or holding large sums of cash, in ways that are unusual for them, this could also be a potential indication of substance use.
We will caution, however, that snooping in your loved one’s belongings can go wrong. If they find you going through their things, they can become defensive and be less likely to listen to what you have to say. People who are managing a heroin use disorder, or any SUD, know that their loved ones might judge them. They often don’t come forward seeking support or help because they fear backlash. Breaking that trust when they’re already certain it’s gone can be a roadblock to healing.
Common Slang and Street Names for Heroin
There is a way to get further clues about what your loved one is doing, with less snooping involved. Words can be a big indicator of if someone is dealing with a heroin use disorder. Even just simple things like whether they’re telling you what they’re doing when they’re out late can be a big tell. Beyond that lies code words, or street names, for heroin.
Street names are utilized as a way to talk about substance use without alerting others of your topic of choice. It’s a way to find out who’s “in” and who isn’t. While our list isn’t exhaustive, as not all street names can be guaranteed to be public, these are some common words or text emojis that are often used to talk about heroin.
Common emoji codes –
- 🤎
- 🐉
- 💉
- 🐶
- 🐎
Common street names –
- Big H
- Black tar
- Chiva
- Hell dust
- Horse
- Smack
- Thunder
- White dynamite
The Long-Term Risks of a Heroin Use Disorder
Substances like heroin aren’t natural to the body. Because of this, over time they can cause long-term damage, some that are more severe than others.
Long-term heroin use comes with an increased risk of developing liver, kidney, or lung diseases. Those who regularly take heroin via an injection have a chance of developing scarring, as well as being at great risk for bloodborne diseases. Common bloodborne diseases seen among those who utilize needles for substance use include HIV, hepatitis, collapsed veins, and endocarditis.
Finally, the longer someone engages in substance use, the greater risk they have of experiencing a heroin overdose. Substances like heroin aren’t regulated, so someone who partakes in heroin can never know exactly what it is in. This leads to a risk of putting things like flour into your bloodstream, or ingesting fentanyl without knowing. Opioid-based overdoses can be fatal, quickly. If you ever think your or a loved one is experiencing an overdose, don’t hesitate to call for medical help.
What to Do if Someone You Know Has a Heroin Use Disorder
If reading this article is hitting a little too close to home, what are your next steps? Should you do something about it? How can you talk with your loved one in a way that shows you care? Is there a way to support them without enabling them?
The most important advice we can offer is to not approach your loved one with judgment. If you’re able, start the conversation in a neutral or comfortable setting as opposed to ambushing or “confronting” them. This can help you get off on the right foot instead of instantly putting them on the defensive.
Remind them that you care. Ask them questions about their experiences with heroin and other substances. Be ready to hear some hard truths or scary facts about your loved one. Try to engage them in talking about how they feel about their heroin consumption and how they see their future. Many times people feel trapped, like they can’t find a way out or they can’t imagine dealing with their life without substance use.
You can support your loved one without worrying about “enabling” them. Offer to research what recovery could look like for them. Establish goals together. You can even drive them to their first appointment. Everyone needs support, especially when they’re making a life change like stepping away from a heroin use disorder.
Finding Recovery From Heroin in Wisconsin
No matter your history with heroin use, recovery is always an option. Even if you’ve engaged in a recovery program before and now find you need support again, you can still do that. You’re worthy of help, no matter what.
When it comes to looking for recovery from heroin, finding the right heroin treatment program is key. This means finding a place that has options and is willing to work with you to find the right treatment plan for you. The most common options for heroin use disorder treatment include medical detox programs, medication-assisted treatment options, and then ongoing support programs such as inpatient or outpatient services.
Whenever you’re ready to get started, our team here at CleanSlate is ready to help. With consistent availability, we’ll get you into our treatment program the moment you’re ready. We want to work with you to find a plan that will empower you to reach your recovery goals. Don’t wait, give us a call today at 833-505-4673. We’ll answer any questions you may have and help you get the process rolling.
Begin your recovery journey with a clean slate.
