Tag: Heroin

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Roger’s Road to Recovery: 7+ Ways Hope Can Overpower Addiction

On this episode of the Giving Voice to Addiction Podcast, we sit down with Roger, a man who has not only navigated the treacherous waters of addiction but has emerged with a profound message of hope and resilience. Roger’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome immense challenges, offering invaluable insights for anyone struggling with addiction or supporting a loved one through it.

1. The Overpowering Force of Hope: A Counter to Addiction’s Grip

Addiction often feels like an insurmountable force, an overpowering entity that leaves individuals feeling trapped and hopeless. However, Roger’s journey reveals a crucial truth: hope can be an even more potent force. For those entrenched in the depths of addiction, the very concept of hope can seem elusive, a forgotten dream. Yet, Roger, having lived through decades of active addiction and trauma, emphasizes its transformative power. He states, “It’s possible. It’s possible to find hope, and it’s possible that that hope can overpower everything that tries to stop us, and we can move towards the life that we’re trying to have.“

This isn’t a naive optimism but a hard-won conviction born from personal experience. Roger understands that addiction often leads to a sense of undeserving suffering, a belief that one is inherently flawed and destined for failure. He candidly shares his own past struggles with mental health and suicidal ideation, revealing that he once believed, “My addiction, my poor mental health, my time messing around with suicide. It’s a lie. I’m worth something. And for a long time I didn’t think I was.” This realization, that one’s worth is not diminished by addiction, is a cornerstone of true recovery.

The idea of standing “a millimeter taller” than one’s pain is a powerful metaphor Roger uses to illustrate the incremental victories in recovery. It signifies that even the smallest shift in perspective or effort can create a foothold, a spark of possibility that can ignite a larger transformation. This resonates deeply with the understanding that recovery is not a single event but a continuous process of small, deliberate steps.

2. Unpacking a Lifetime of Trauma and Addiction

Roger’s narrative is a stark reminder that addiction rarely exists in a vacuum. His story begins at a tender age, with his mother’s incarceration due to mental health issues when he was just four, followed by her subsequent homelessness. This early exposure to instability and profound loss laid a fertile ground for trauma. He began using drugs at 12, a rapid escalation from marijuana to speed, acid, and cocaine within a year. For Roger, drugs were initially a form of self-medication, a perceived source of comfort and safety in a chaotic world. He describes them as “my mother and my father all at the same time. It was comfort, nature, nurture. It was an escape. It was warm, especially when I started shooting heroin. It was warm, felt good. It was safe until it tried to kill me.“

The allure of drug dealing, though dangerous, provided a perverse sense of purpose and engagement that was otherwise lacking. This highlights how addiction can fulfill unmet needs, even in destructive ways. However, this illusion of safety and purpose eventually shattered. The constant threat of violence, including having a gun to his head multiple times, coupled with a cocaine overdose, signaled a turning point. The realization that his lifestyle was not only endangering himself but also his innocent family members became a powerful motivator for change. “Now I’m putting other people at risk,” he recalls, a clear indication that his addiction’s reach extended far beyond himself.

The journey to discontinue drug use was not immediate but a five-year “de-escalation,” starting with breaking free from the needle and gradually tapering off harder substances. This gradual process underscores that recovery is often a marathon, not a sprint, requiring sustained effort and commitment.

3. The Power of a Vision: Turning Point to Recovery

One of the most profound catalysts for Roger’s initial sobriety was a vivid dream of his own funeral, where he witnessed the devastation it wrought on his father and sister. This dream, coupled with a subsequent “day vision,” solidified his resolve to change. “I had a dream and the dream was my funeral. Then I looked around the funeral scene and I saw my dad and my middle sister, who I’m very close with, and they were just wrecked.” This powerful emotional experience transcended his love for being high, offering a clear and devastating consequence of continuing his path. It shifted his motivation from self-preservation to protecting those he loved.

This deeply personal turning point illustrates that while external pressures can play a role, true and lasting change often stems from an internal shift in values and priorities. Roger’s decision was not driven by a desire to simply stop using, but by a profound realization of the impact his addiction had on his loved ones.

After finally quitting drugs, Roger channeled his addictive tendencies into a new, healthier pursuit: professional mountain biking. While this brought its own set of challenges, including head injuries, it was a significantly less destructive path than his previous drug use. This demonstrates the concept of addiction transfer, where individuals in recovery might replace one addictive behavior with another. While not ideal, it can sometimes be a stepping stone towards healthier coping mechanisms, provided it doesn’t lead to equally destructive outcomes.

4. The Continuous Journey: Sobriety, Clean Time, and Recovery

Roger’s commitment to his recovery is evident in his meticulous counting of clean time: “36 years, one month, and four days.” This unwavering awareness of his sobriety date is not a burden but a source of strength, a tangible representation of his dedication. He explains, “I have to count the days. The days give me strength if I let myself go, I’d be dead tonight because if I’m gonna give up that time, I’m going all the way.” This highlights the ever-present temptation for those in recovery and the importance of recognizing the significant investment made in staying clean.

However, Roger’s journey also includes a relapse with alcohol after his first divorce, underscoring that recovery is not a linear path. Despite being clean from drugs for 15 years, the emotional devastation of his divorce led him to heavy alcohol use, consuming a fifth of tequila daily and later two to three bottles of wine. This period of alcohol abuse lasted five years. His experience demonstrates that past sobriety from one substance doesn’t grant immunity from addiction to others, especially during periods of intense emotional distress.

His eventual cessation of alcohol came after a work trip in Spain where he drank himself unconscious and missed a flight, followed by his second wife being hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. This dual crisis, coupled with the realization of the impact on their three young children, spurred him and his wife to quit drinking together. This collective decision highlights the power of shared commitment and accountability in recovery, especially when children are involved. Roger now differentiates between his “clean” time from drugs and his “sober” time from alcohol, emphasizing that true recovery encompasses addressing all addictive behaviors and underlying issues. He states, “I’m 14 years sober. 14 years, and 21 days, April 17th. So I count that too.”

5. Beyond Abstinence: The Essence of True Recovery

For Roger, being “clean” and “sober” is distinct from being “in recovery.” His past experience with suicidal ideation, even years after achieving drug sobriety, revealed that abstinence alone isn’t enough. He discovered that his suicidal thoughts were a side effect of antidepressant medication, emphasizing the complex interplay between mental health and substance use. Roger’s current recovery hinges on a structured life built on connection, engagement, and introspection. Living in a cabin in the woods without internet, cell service, or TV forces him to actively seek human connection. He elaborates, “I need structure. I need engagement. I need connection… I have to consciously get outta the house every day, or it puts me in trouble. But that connection is key for me and facing my truth.“

This active pursuit of connection and self-awareness through journaling, writing, and maintaining relationships with friends and family is central to his ongoing well-being. He also finds purpose in mentoring others, understanding that helping others strengthens his own resolve. This highlights the altruistic nature of recovery, where sharing one’s experience can create a virtuous cycle of support.

6. Understanding Addiction from the Family’s Perspective

Addiction’s ripple effect extends far beyond the individual, deeply impacting families who often grapple with immense pain, confusion, and a desperate desire to help. Roger offers crucial insights for families struggling to understand their loved one’s addiction. He emphasizes that judgmental attitudes towards behavior miss the underlying suffering. “For many people there is a mental health component that goes along with substance abuse. And more than anything, I think as a people, as humanity, we’re quick to judge the behavior. The behavior is the person people think. It’s not that person’s in trouble. That person’s hurting.“

This distinction between the person and their behavior is fundamental to fostering empathy and effective support. Roger advises families to “love the person no matter what” while simultaneously establishing healthy boundaries. He acknowledges the fine line between tough love and enabling, urging understanding that individuals, even in addiction, are often doing what they believe is best, however misguided it may seem.

Roger asserts that genuine change must come from within: “If we want to go to rehab, we have to want to go to rehab. If we want to quit, we have to want to quit.” This speaks to the limitations of external pressure and the necessity of internal motivation. His personal experience of his mother’s homelessness serves as a poignant example of how societal judgment can dehumanize individuals struggling with addiction and mental illness, reminding us that “that’s somebody’s mother. That’s somebody’s sister. That’s somebody’s kid.”

7. The Role of Support and the Evolution of Treatment

While Roger’s journey was largely self-directed due to the limited resources available at the time, he acknowledges the critical role support plays. He recalls how two close friends intervened when he was desperate to quit the needle, physically preventing him from using and offering unwavering support. “I just told ’em, this is my life and this is how I’m gonna die. I was crying and they said, well, we’re gonna help you.” This demonstrates the profound impact of genuine care and intervention when an individual is ready to receive it. His move to Colorado, away from the triggers of Baltimore, also provided a crucial “break” from his active addiction.

Roger’s early attempt to seek professional help was met with a devastating response: “What’s your insurance? I don’t have any. And they’re like, sorry, we can’t help you.” This highlights the significant barriers to treatment that existed in the past, particularly for those without financial means. It underscores the vital progress made in the addiction treatment landscape, with increased access to resources like harm reduction strategies, needle exchange programs, and a greater emphasis on integrated care for co-occurring mental health disorders. While Roger didn’t attend his first 12-Step meeting until six years ago, he now recognizes their immense value: “They are helpful ’cause it’s a community that you don’t find elsewhere. You need people that can accept you as you are.”

8. Roger’s Enduring Message of Possibility

Roger’s ultimate message is one of unwavering hope and the boundless possibilities of change. He implores anyone struggling to believe in the potential for a different future: “It is possible. It’s possible for something else. It’s possible for change. Change is actually a given.” He challenges the ingrained cynicism and self-deprecating labels that often accompany addiction, such as “loser, low life piece of shit, junky, alcoholic, dropout.” Roger powerfully asserts, “No matter our worst behavior, we’re more than that. We can be anything we wanna be. We can start over every single morning.”

His call to action is simple yet profound: “Just get started. Try to try start there.” This emphasis on taking the first, often daunting, step resonates with anyone facing a significant challenge. Roger’s journey from a childhood marred by trauma and a devastating 13-year drug addiction to a life of profound purpose and continuous recovery is a powerful testament to the fact that even in the darkest moments, possibility exists.

Roger’s story is a beacon of hope for countless individuals. It underscores that recovery is a complex, non-linear journey often intertwined with trauma and mental health challenges. Yet, with internal motivation, external support, and an unwavering belief in the possibility of change, individuals can not only overcome addiction but also build lives of purpose and profound meaning. His message is a powerful reminder that “you’re beautiful. I love you, and you can do it. I know it. Absolutely know it. ‘Cause it is possible.”

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Honesty’s 8 Lessons to Thrive in Opioid Addiction Recovery

Honesty’s life before finding recovery from a debilitating opioid use disorder, specifically heroin, was a relentless cycle of physical agony from daily withdrawal, deeply fractured bonds with loved ones, and a desperate descent into criminal activity driven by the insatiable need for drugs. The weight of self-hatred was crushing, and the world around her felt hostile. In those dark days, the desire for oblivion was a constant companion. This is the story of Honesty’s journey and the profound lessons that illuminated her path to recovery.

1. A Glimmer of Hope and the Unexpected Lifeline

Honesty’s final attempt at seeking help felt like precisely that – her last chance. Entering the doors of the Chen Foundation, her initial intention was solely to endure the acute discomfort of detoxification and then leave. However, fate intervened, or perhaps it was an unconscious recognition of a deeper need, leading her to stay in their female recovery house for five transformative months.

Within those walls, she encountered an unexpected source of strength: the profound “peer-to-peer connection” forged with other women who intimately understood the torment of addiction. Sharing their experiences created a bond that became an essential lifeline.

Explore treatment options for heroin and opioid use disorder.

2. Finding Her Footing and the Enduring Power of Connection

In the initial, fragile days of recovery, Honesty’s primary focus was a primal one: navigating each day without succumbing to the debilitating grip of withdrawal. This immediate need for physical relief was what initially tethered her to the recovery process.

However, it was the burgeoning relationships with fellow travelers on this path – both women and men who carried the weight of shared lived experiences with addiction – that truly solidified her commitment. These connections offered understanding, validation, and a sense of not being alone in a seemingly insurmountable struggle.

3. The Gift of Giving Back and Discovering Purpose

As Honesty progressed in her recovery, a compelling inner prompting arose – the desire to extend the support she had received to others still navigating the challenging early stages. This innate drive to help led her to work for the very Recovery Community Organization (RCO) that had played such a pivotal role in her own healing. Through the act of service, by offering a hand to those still reaching, she began to uncover a deeper sense of purpose and the “pretty awesome” person she was capable of becoming.

4. The Profound Inner Journey: Cultivating Self-Love and Embracing Healing

Sustaining recovery has been an intricate process for Honesty, with the cornerstone being the cultivation of self-love. This journey inward has demanded that she learn to extend compassion and forgiveness towards herself, to confront and heal the deep-seated wounds of past traumas, and to acknowledge the profound pain she inflicted on her daughter, her family, and the broader community. It has been about a fundamental rediscovery, about “really digging into the inner core of the human being that [she] was meant to be on this planet,” stripping away the layers of addiction to reveal her authentic self.

5. Creating a Supportive Environment and Nurturing the Soul Through Daily Rituals

Maintaining her recovery necessitates a conscious effort for Honesty to cultivate a supportive and nurturing environment. This includes actively surrounding herself with “amazing women in recovery” who offer understanding and encouragement, immersing herself in the wisdom found in “lots of books, lots of podcasts, lots of step work,” and intentionally incorporating daily rituals that nourish her soul.

Practices such as meditation, the reflective act of journaling, and consistent engagement in self-care activities are not mere habits; they are vital threads in the tapestry of her ongoing commitment to “continually working on her soul.”

6. A Life Transformed and the Immeasurable Value of Her Present

Looking back nearly 18 years, the life Honesty now inhabits as a mother, a wife, the CEO of a nonprofit organization, and an author is almost beyond the realm of what her addicted self could have conceived. The crushing weight of self-loathing has been replaced by a genuine and growing sense of self-acceptance and love. The life she has painstakingly built, interwoven with the love of her husband, the support of her family, and the camaraderie of incredible individuals, is now immeasurably precious.

The insidious pull of drug use has faded, not merely as a conscious choice, but because the vibrant and fulfilling life she now lives far outweighs any fleeting illusion it once offered. “I value this one life that I have and it rocks. It completely rocks.”

7. The Imperative of Perseverance: Holding Onto Hope and Taking Action

For anyone currently grappling with the agonizing realities of active addiction or navigating the often-turbulent waters of early recovery, Honesty’s most fundamental piece of advice is this: “just hold on, never give up on yourself.” Even in the darkest moments when self-loathing feels all-consuming, it is absolutely crucial to cling to the inherent worth that resides within you and to persistently explore different pathways to recovery. “For sure don’t give up on yourself. Just keep trying, you know, and you are loved no matter what.”

8. Embracing the Fear of the Unknown and Exploring Diverse Paths to Healing

The apprehension and fear associated with embarking on the journey of recovery are entirely understandable. Honesty’s own path was marked by numerous attempts, including multiple detoxifications, trials with various medications, explorations of faith-based approaches, and engagement with 12-Step programs and traditional therapy, before she discovered the specific combination that resonated with her: the structure of a 12-step program coupled with the unwavering support of the recovery community, particularly within a peer-run RCO.

However, it is vital to remember that “that doesn’t have to be your story.” The key is to take that initial step, to “just try something…on a day-to-day basis.” Explore the diverse landscape of recovery options, whether it be 12-Step fellowships, SMART Recovery, harm reduction strategies, or other modalities, until you find the path that aligns with your individual needs and resonates with your inner self.

Honesty’s journey from the abyss of opioid addiction to a life brimming with purpose, profound love, and genuine self-acceptance has been a challenging yet ultimately transformative odyssey. It stands as a testament to the indomitable power of human perseverance, the vital importance of community and peer support, and the unwavering belief in one’s own inherent potential for profound healing and lasting recovery. Recovery is not a distant dream; it is an attainable reality, and you are never truly alone on this path.

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The 12 Most Dangerous Drugs in the World

If someone is overdosing, call 911, or your local emergency services number, immediately. If you are qualified, administer CPR. Use Naloxone (Narcan) if available.

Dangerous substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are known not just for their immediate effects but for how quickly they can lead to addiction, wreaking havoc on one’s body; however, mental health effects can be as equally severe. In most cases, addiction co-occurs with mental health issues like depression1 or can cause the onset of others, like psychosis. 

The unpredictability of dangerous drugs adds another layer of risk. Often, these substances are mixed with other harmful or deadly chemicals, especially in unregulated street sales.

Recognizing these dangers is vital for not just those directly at risk but for society as a whole. And awareness isn’t just about scare tactics—it’s about equipping people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices, and to understand that one experiment can turn into a life-altering struggle.

1. Heroin

Heroin is considered one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs2 in the world due to its powerful effects on both the brain and body. Heroin acts as a depressant on the central nervous system3, slowing down critical bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. The drug can be injected, smoked, or snorted, and each method of use comes with its own set of health risks, such as infections like HIV and organ damage. Heroin also damages the brain through deterioration of white matter4, negatively impacting decision-making skills, emotional and behavioral regulation, and stress tolerance. 

Heroin is notorious for being highly addictive. When a person uses heroin, the drug rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier, creating a euphoric rush by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This intense pleasure, as well as harmful withdrawal symptoms, reinforces the desire to use the drug again, leading to repeated use. 

Heroin users also have a high overdose risk since it’s often mixed with potent substances like fentanyl. Fentanyl-laced heroin has led to a significant spike in overdose deaths5, as users often don’t know they are ingesting such a potent drug. Even a small amount of fentanyl can cause immediate death. 

2. Alcohol

Alcohol, while legal and widely consumed across the world, is one of the most dangerous and commonly misused substances6. It has a perilous long-term impact on physical and mental health, has the potential for addiction, and causes societal harm. Because alcohol is so deeply embedded in many cultures and social practices, its risks are often underestimated, but it remains a major public health issue worldwide.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant7, impairing brain function, motor skills, and judgment in the short term and ultimately leading to adverse changes in mental health. Excessive drinking can also lead to dangerous behaviors like impaired driving, risky sexual activity, and violence. 

Alcohol affects vital organs8, including the brain, liver, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. Additionally, alcohol is a cancer-causing agent9 directly associated with multiple forms of cancer, including liver, breast, colon, mouth, throat, and more. 

3. Fentanyl

Fentanyl is one of the most potent and dangerous opioids in the world, and it has played a significant role in the ongoing opioid crisis. Initially developed for medical use, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and about 50 times stronger than heroin10. Doctors can prescribe it in specific cases to manage severe pain, particularly for cancer patients or those recovering from major surgeries. When used under medical supervision, fentanyl can be effective, but its extraordinary potency and widespread illegal use have made it incredibly lethal outside controlled settings.

Due to its strength, even a very small dose can suppress breathing to the point of being fatal. This risk is amplified in street fentanyl, which is often mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine without the user’s knowledge, dramatically increasing the risk of accidental overdose. The amount of fentanyl required to cause an overdose is so small that just a few milligrams—equivalent to a few grains of salt—can be deadly.

The widespread availability of illicit fentanyl has had devastating effects on communities, contributing significantly to the opioid overdose epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the leading cause of overdose deaths11, surpassing those caused by prescription opioids and heroin.

4. Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant in South America. Cocaine is highly addictive, as the intense craving and quickly developed tolerance make it difficult to quit. This tolerance often leads to higher doses and more frequent use, which significantly increases the risk of overdose. 

Cocaine overdoses are often fatal, especially when the drug is combined with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids. The combination of cocaine and heroin, known as a “speedball,” is hazardous, as the opposing effects of the two drugs can cause respiratory failure and death. 

Cocaine use also significantly increases the risk of heart attacks12, strokes, and arrhythmias, as it raises heart rate and blood pressure while constricting blood vessels. Even young, healthy individuals risk sudden death from heart complications after using cocaine. 

In addition to cardiovascular issues, cocaine can cause long-term damage to the brain, leading to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and an increased risk of strokes and seizures. Chronic users often develop mental health issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis.

5. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a synthetic drug related to amphetamines13 but with more intense and longer-lasting effects on the central nervous system. Meth can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed. These consumption methods make meth particularly dangerous, as they deliver enormous amounts of the drug into the bloodstream, amplifying the risk of addiction and overdose.

Meth’s impact on the body is both immediate and catastrophic14, leaving visible consequences over time. Users experience heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias, as well as “meth mouth”—or severe dental decay. Methamphetamine often causes users to compulsively pick and scratch at their skin, leaving sores and scars.

Mentally, methamphetamine use has devastating implications. The drug creates intense psychological dependence due to its powerful effects on the brain’s reward system, leading to addiction after just a few uses. Chronic users often experience severe paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis. Eventually, meth can cause permanent cognitive damage, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and poor decision-making.

6. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are a class of drugs primarily prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and other conditions. While Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are highly effective in treating short-term anxiety or helping with sleep disorders, they carry significant risks, especially when misused or taken over a long period of time. The soothing effects that make benzodiazepines helpful also make them dangerous, as they can lead to physical dependence, psychological addiction, and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

When used regularly over a period of weeks or months, the brain begins to rely on the drug to maintain its calm state15, and natural GABA production (a neurotransmitter) is reduced. This dependence can happen even when the medication is taken exactly as prescribed. If the person tries to reduce their dose or stop taking the drug abruptly, they can experience intense withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is severe and can be life-threatening. Unlike some other drug withdrawals, which can be intensely uncomfortable but not fatal, stopping benzodiazepines suddenly after prolonged use can lead to serious complications such as seizures, delirium, hallucinations, and psychosis16. Common withdrawal symptoms also include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain, insomnia, and agitation. It is vital to detox from benzos under medical care.

7. Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and potent form of cocaine that appears as solid “rocks.” The user smokes the crack rocks, delivering an immediate and intense high that is more potent than snorting powdered cocaine but far shorter in duration. 

The stimulant properties of crack cause a dramatic increase in heart rate and blood pressure, putting immense strain on the heart and blood vessels. This can lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and permanent heart damage17. Smoking crack also causes lung damage18, leading to chronic bronchitis, persistent coughing, and respiratory infections. In more severe cases, long-term crack use can result in acute respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening.

Chronic crack cocaine use can lead to seizures and permanent cognitive disabilities18, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and impaired decision-making. Over time, many users experience lasting brain function alterations, which can leave them struggling with basic cognitive tasks. Crack cocaine also leads to anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis.

8. Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids, often marketed under names like “Spice,” “K2,” “Black Mamba,” or “Cloud 9,” are man-made chemicals designed to mimic the effects of THC found in marijuana19. These substances are typically sprayed onto plant material and smoked, or they can be sold as a liquid for vaporizing. 

While synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes advertised as a “legal” or “safe” alternative to marijuana, they are anything but. In fact, synthetic cannabinoids are among the most unpredictable and dangerous drugs20 in circulation today. They can cause extreme reactions that are vastly different from natural cannabis, posing serious risks to both mental and physical health.

Synthetic cannabinoids are extremely potent—which significantly increases the risk of overdose and severe reactions. Unregulated production causes some batches to contain highly concentrated chemicals while others may be weaker. 

The chemical formulations of synthetic cannabinoids are ever-changing—meaning that one batch of “Spice” or “K2” may contain entirely different chemicals than another, making it impossible to predict how the drug will affect the user. In many cases, the effects of synthetic cannabinoids are much more intense and dangerous than natural cannabis, often leading to severe health problems that can result in hospitalization or even death.

9. Prescription Opioids

Prescription opioids are a class of powerful pain-relieving medications prescribed for pain following surgery, injury, or in the treatment of chronic conditions like cancer. These medications, including oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and fentanyl, come with significant risks, like the potential for addiction, overdose, and health complications. Their widespread availability and misuse play a central role in the opioid crisis, as well.

Sometimes, people misuse prescription drugs by taking higher doses than prescribed, using them without a prescription, or continuing to use them after their medical need has passed. This can quickly lead to dependence, causing withdrawal symptoms—such as anxiety, nausea, muscle aches, and intense cravings21—when they stop taking the drug.

10. PCP (Phencyclidine)

Phencyclidine, or PCP, is a powerful dissociative drug initially developed as an anesthetic for medical use, though it is no longer in practice due to its severe and unpredictable psychological effects. Today, PCP is a street drug used for dissociation, hallucinations, and altering perception, leading to violent behavior, self-harm, and life-threatening health consequences. PCP is typically sold as a white crystalline powder, though it is often found in liquid or tablet form. It can be smoked, snorted, ingested, or injected. It is sometimes sprayed on marijuana or tobacco and smoked.

PCP can cause severe psychological disturbances22, even at low doses. Users experience paranoia, delusions, aggression, and psychosis, contributing to long-term memory loss and cognitive decline. Some people slip into permanent psychosis, which may require long-term psychiatric treatment.

11. MDMA (Ecstasy)

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Despite its reputation as a party drug, MDMA carries significant risks. In the long-term, MDMA causes serious damage to the brain’s serotonin system23 and has potential neurotoxic effects. Because MDMA releases large amounts of serotonin, frequent use can deplete the brain’s natural reserves of this neurotransmitter, leading to issues with mood regulation, memory, and cognition over time. 

MDMA is typically used in recreational settings and in conjunction with other substances, so it can be cut with other chemicals, such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and caffeine. These substances can significantly alter the effects of MDMA, leading to more dangerous outcomes like overdose, extreme agitation, or psychosis. 

12. Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used in both medical and recreational settings for decades. While ketamine has legitimate medical uses, when misused it can cause physical harm, psychological effects, and addiction. 

Ketamine is widely used as a recreational drug, and in these settings, ketamine is typically snorted or taken in pill form. Frequent ketamine use can lead to bladder and kidney damage, including ketamine-induced cystitis24, a condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the bladder. It can also cause memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and impaired cognitive function.

Similarly to MDMA, ketamine can be mixed with other dangerous substances, and as an unregulated party drug, it’s possible to have severe psychological reactions or overdose.

Treatment Options For Dangerous Drugs

A multifaceted treatment approach can support healing from drug addiction. No single treatment works for everyone, and the most effective programs are often tailored to meet each person’s unique needs.

Detox is a crucial first step in recovery, clearing the body of harmful substances while managing the often painful or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. In cases where withdrawal can be life-threatening—such as from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines—medical detox is a necessity.

For those battling opioid or alcohol addiction, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has proven to be an effective tool. By combining medications with counseling and behavioral therapy, MAT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making the road to recovery less overwhelming. Depending on your needs, your care team may recommend methadone, naltrexone, or others. 

Residential programs offer a structured, immersive environment, free from distractions, where you can focus entirely on healing. For patients who have been in inpatient rehab for 30+ days, it includes intensive therapy, medical care, and life skills training. You may participate in various evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and holistic approaches like yoga.

Outpatient care is another pathway, offering flexibility for those who need to balance treatment with work, school, or family commitments. With therapy sessions scheduled throughout the week, outpatient rehab allows you to remain at home while still receiving support. Like residential rehab, you may engage in individual, group, and family therapy.

Once formal treatment is complete, transitioning back to daily life can be daunting. Sober living homes provide a safe, drug-free environment where you can ease back into everyday life while continuing to receive support. These residences often require residents to attend therapy, maintain sobriety, and participate in household responsibilities, reinforcing the skills needed for long-term recovery. 

Find the Best Drug Rehabs

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Taking that first step toward seeking support can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a step toward reclaiming your life. There are resources designed to guide you through the challenges of recovery and help you build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You don’t have to face this journey alone—reach out, lean on others, and know that with the right support, you can break free from addiction and rediscover your strength.
Use Recovery.com to find drug rehabs and see photos, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Heroin Use and Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Dangers

Heroin, a highly addictive opioid, continues to devastate lives around the world. As a potent and fast-acting drug, it affects both the body and mind, often leading people down a dangerous road of dependency and addiction. 

The good news is that recovery is entirely possible, thanks to the abundance of effective treatment options out there. Recognizing the signs of heroin use and encouraging early intervention can prevent lasting harm. 

We’ll walk through what heroin is, how it affects the body, how addiction develops, and why seeking treatment is so important.

Methods of Heroin Use

Heroin can be consumed in several ways, each presenting its own set of risks. 

Injection

Injection is the most common—and most dangerous—method of heroin use. Injected heroin absorbs directly into the bloodstream, causing an immediate, intense high. 

Injecting poses the highest risk of contracting serious infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis due to needle sharing. It also increases the likelihood of collapsed veins, bacterial infections, and—most concerningly—overdose. 

Heroin overdoses are most common through injection because of how quickly the drug absorbs into the body. For people who inject regularly, harm reduction specialists recommend “sampling” heroin via less intense methods1 to test its potency. 

Snorting

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains why some people choose snorting or smoking heroin over injecting:2

Some types of heroin, especially when it’s very pure, can be snorted or smoked, which might seem more appealing to people trying heroin for the first time. They might choose these methods to avoid the stigma around injecting.

When people snort heroin, they breathe it in through the nose. While this method isn’t quite as strong or immediate as injecting, it’s still very risky. Over time, snorting heroin can seriously damage your nose and lead to complications like ongoing sinus infections. It can even create a hole in the tissue between your nostrils. Many people think snorting is safer than injecting, but it can still easily lead to addiction—especially since it’s easy to underestimate how strong the product really is.

Smoking

Smoking heroin involves heating it and inhaling its vapor. Many people believe smoking is a less harmful method, especially for first-time users. But smoking heroin still presents serious health risks, including damage to the lungs, addiction potential, and overdose. People who smoke heroin can quickly build tolerance, dependence, and eventually, addiction.

Regardless of the method, all forms of heroin use are dangerous to your health. 

Effects of Heroin on the Body

Heroin use causes both immediate and long-term effects, many of which are dangerous and irreversible. This drug impacts nearly every organ in the body, including the brain, heart, and lungs.

Short-Term Effects

In the short term, heroin causes a quick rush of pleasure, followed by feeling very sleepy and relaxed. People may also notice that their heart rate slows down and it becomes harder to think clearly. Other common side effects include intense nausea (which may cause vomiting) and itching. These usually last for at least a few hours, during which the body’s systems slow down significantly, making it harder to make decisions or react to your surroundings.

Heroin use depresses breathing,3 which is why pulmonary edema (respiratory failure caused by too much fluid in the lungs) is the main cause of death from heroin overdose. 

Long-Term Effects

Long-term heroin use can seriously harm both physical and mental health. People who use heroin for a long time may experience brain damage, heart issues, and diseases that affect the liver and lungs. It can also cause rapid weight loss and skin sores. Research even shows that heroin use affects bone density.4

The mental impacts are just as concerning. Heroin changes the brain’s structure5 and how it functions, which can cause long-lasting imbalances in the body’s systems. This makes it harder to make decisions, manage your behavior, and handle stress. Studies show that heroin damages the brain’s white matter,6 affecting your ability to think and act clearly. While some people start using heroin to manage mental health symptoms, long-term heroin use eventually worsens anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health conditions.7 

Understanding Heroin Addiction

Heroin is notoriously addictive due to the powerful effects it has on brain chemistry. Once you become addicted, stopping can feel nearly impossible without help.

The Nature of Addiction

Heroin addiction happens quickly because of how it changes the brain’s reward system. When you use heroin, it releases a surge of dopamine, creating a strong sense of pleasure. Over time, your brain starts to rely on heroin to feel good, which causes both physical and psychological dependence. This makes it hard for people to function normally without the drug, which is why addiction isn’t a matter of willpower—it’s an overpowering compulsion.

As you continue using heroin, your body builds a tolerance, meaning you need more and more of it to feel your desired high. But once you’re physically dependent on heroin, if you stop using, your body will go into withdrawal. Eventually, you can develop a full-scale addiction, also known as heroin use disorder.8 This goes beyond physical dependence and turns into a chronic, relapsing disease. People with heroin addiction feel an overwhelming urge to use heroin, even if it’s hurting their health, work, or relationships. 

Heroin is highly addictive no matter how it’s taken, but methods like injection and smoking, which deliver the drug to the brain faster, only increase that risk. Once someone is caught in this cycle, getting and using heroin often becomes their main focus in life.

Withdrawal Challenges

One of the toughest parts of heroin addiction is going through withdrawal. Once you’re physically dependent on heroin, your body starts to react when it starts leaving your system. Heroin withdrawal symptoms9 can start within a few hours after the last dose and tend to peak within 24-48 hours:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Muscle aches 
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Strong cravings 
  • Bone pain 
  • Diahrrea 
  • Cold sweats
  • Jerking leg movements

Symptoms usually last for about a week, but some people may continue to feel withdrawal symptoms for much longer. These symptoms aren’t just uncomfortable—they’re painful, and they can even be dangerous. Many people return to heroin abuse simply to avoid the misery of withdrawal. That’s why it’s extremely important to detox from heroin with proper medical supervision and care. 

Overdose Risks

Heroin overdose is extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening. 

Because heroin slows breathing, respiratory failure is the most common cause of fatal heroin overdose.10 According to the WHO,

Opioids are potent respiratory depressants, and overdose is a leading cause of death among people who use them. Worldwide, an estimated 69,000 people die from opioid overdose each year.

The risk of heroin overdose is much higher due to the widespread presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s far stronger than heroin. Fentanyl is often used to cut heroin and other substances; this dangerous drug is showing up more and more in street drugs, leading to a huge increase in fatal overdoses.

Knowing the signs of an overdose—like very slow or shallow breathing, blue lips, or unresponsiveness—can save a life. If you spot these signs, get medical help immediately. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, but it needs to be administered right away.

Learn more about Naloxone access and training here.

Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction requires comprehensive treatment to address both its physical and psychological aspects. Treatment for heroin use disorder11 usually involves some combination of detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and therapy.

Detox: The First Step in Heroin Recovery

Detox is the process of allowing your body to rid itself of a substance. This stage can cause withdrawal symptoms. Because “opioid withdrawal can be very uncomfortable12 and difficult for the patient,” it’s a main driver of relapse. 

That’s why it’s important to detox under medical supervision, where addiction specialists can monitor your symptoms, help you manage withdrawals, and generally keep you as safe and comfortable as possible during the process. A controlled environment also means you won’t have access to substances. Some detox centers even offer counseling or integration with an addiction treatment program to address the psychological aspects of detox and set you up for recovery success. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective approach for heroin addiction.13 Medications are typically used in treatment to: 

  • Replace heroin with a prescription opioid that can then be managed by a prescribing doctor
  • Block the effects of heroin and reduce the intense cravings that often lead to relapse

NIDA describes these categories of medications:

Medications developed to treat opioid use disorders14 work through the same opioid receptors as the addictive drug, but are safer and less likely to produce the harmful behaviors that characterize a substance use disorder. Three types of medications include: (1) agonists, which activate opioid receptors; (2) partial agonists, which also activate opioid receptors but produce a smaller response; and (3) antagonists, which block the receptor and interfere with the rewarding effects of opioids. A particular medication is used based on a patient’s specific medical needs and other factors. 

The medications most commonly used in MAT are: 

  • Methadone and buprenorphine, prescription opioid medications that are taken daily over the course of several months or years to reduce the cravings and drug-seeking behaviors associated with heroin
  • Naltrexone, a non-narcotic medication that blocks the effects of heroin so you don’t get pleasure from using

All of these medications are approved by the FDA. However, MAT carries its own set of risks, as the medications used in opioid replacement therapy are themselves opioids and are therefore addictive. This is mitigated by controlling the methods and environment in which they’re taken. For example, someone might visit a clinic every day to receive methadone administered by a treatment professional.

Counseling and Therapy

While medication-assisted treatment helps with the physical side of addiction, counseling and therapy are just as important for its emotional and mental aspects. Addiction treatment usually involves a combination of individual and group therapy to help you process what arises on your journey, learn healthy coping skills, and build a strong support network. Therapy gives you a safe place to talk about your feelings, helping you identify what led to your addiction and learn how to work through challenges differently in the future. 

Harm-Reduction Strategies for Heroin Users

For those who aren’t yet ready to completely quit using heroin, harm reduction strategies can help minimize the risks.

What Is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction focuses on making drug use safer, even if someone isn’t ready or able to quit yet. The goal is to reduce the risks and harmful effects of using drugs, like preventing overdoses or infections, without stopping use completely. Based on a principle of “any positive change”15 and originally created as an alternative to incarceration in communities of color, harm reduction is about meeting people where they are and helping them stay as safe as possible. 

Practical Approaches to Minimize Risks

Harm reduction practices include safe injection sites, needle exchange programs, and overdose prevention education. 

  • Safe injection sites provide a clean and supervised environment for people to inject heroin, reducing the risk of infection and overdose. 
  • Needle exchange programs allow people who inject heroin to obtain sterile needles, decreasing the transmission of infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV. 
  • Overdose prevention education teaches people how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including how to administer naloxone.

Recognizing Signs of Heroin Use

Recognizing the signs of heroin use can be the first step toward helping someone get the treatment they need.

Behavioral Signs

People who are using heroin often show noticeable changes in how they act. They might pull away from friends and family, stop doing things they used to love doing, or ignore important responsibilities. You might notice them taking more risks or even doing things that are illegal. It’s also common for people using heroin to become secretive, not wanting to talk about where they’ve been or why they’re acting differently.

Physical Signs

There are some clear physical signs that someone is using heroin. They might lose weight, have visible marks on their arms from injections, and often seem sleepy or have slurred speech. You might also notice skin infections, poor hygiene, and signs that they’re not eating well.

What to Do if You Suspect Someone Is Using Heroin

If you’re worried that someone you love is using heroin, approach them with kindness and understanding. Try not to be judgmental or overly confrontational, as this can make them defensive. Instead, let your loved one know you’re there for them, encourage them to get professional help, and have resources available. Share information about treatment options and harm reduction so they know support is there when they’re ready.

Learn more about staging an intervention here.

Recovering From Heroin Addiction

It may not feel like it now, but recovery from heroin addiction is entirely possible, and there are plenty of resources available to help you do so. Recognizing the signs of heroin addiction and getting professional help as soon as possible can increase your chances of successfully getting sober and preventing relapse.

Comprehensive addiction treatment programs that include detox, medication-assisted treatment, talk therapy, and social support offer a path to a new, substance-free life. If you’re ready to take your first step toward recovery, search for heroin addiction treatment centers and reach out to a support specialist today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heroin Use and Addiction

What are the first signs of heroin use?

Early signs of heroin use include changes in sleep patterns, irritability, sudden weight loss, and physical marks from injection, such as track marks on the arms or legs.

How long does heroin withdrawal last?

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours of the last use and typically last up to a week, but how severe they are, and how long they last, can vary from person to person.

Can heroin addiction be treated successfully?

Yes, heroin addiction can be successfully treated with a combination of medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and long-term support. Recovery requires ongoing care and a commitment to working through challenges, but it’s entirely possible.

How can I help someone addicted to heroin?

If you know someone struggling with heroin addiction, avoid enabling behaviors and instead offer them your support and encouragement to get professional help. Have resources ready, such as information on harm reduction strategies and treatment programs for when they’re ready to get sober.

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What Are Track Marks And How To Spot Them

Track marks are wounds formed after injecting something into the skin, a common sign of intravenous drug use. They often appear down the forearms and look like small circular wounds with bruising, bleeding, and festering. With the effects of addiction and repeated injections, it often takes track marks longer to heal. Track marks can also get contaminated by unclean needles and dirt, leading to conditions like HIV, syphilis, AIDS, infections, and more. 

What Is The Medical Term for Track Marks?

Medically, track marks are known as venipuncture marks1 since they occur after a needle is stuck into a vein. You may also hear them called needle marks, puncture marks, or injection marks. 

Substances can be injected into the veins or the top layers of skin, called skin popping. Injecting directly into the veins takes effect almost immediately, while skin popping takes effect more gradually. 

What Causes Track Marks?

Repeated injections that don’t heal cause track marks. Unclean needles, infection, and a compromised ability to heal wounds (from addictive substances) lead to track marks.

Which Drugs Are Known to Cause Track Marks?

Any injectable drug can cause track marks, but they’re most often associated with heroin. Other drugs include cocaine, meth, prescription opioids, and prescription stimulants, along with designer drugs and psychedelics. If it can be injected, it can leave track marks.

What Do Track Marks Look Like?

Characteristics of New Track Marks

Track marks look like circular wounds, ranging from a pinhead to dime-sized. They often itch and look red and irritated. Bruises and redness often accompany track marks. So, you may see purplish or yellowish discoloration, plus red scabby wounds. If infected, you’ll likely see pus and a streak of redness moving away from the wound.

Characteristics of Old Track Marks

Healed track marks look like a small, puckered white or light pink scar tissue circle. The scars can look darker, smoother, or more textured depending on skin tones and healing.

Common Places Track Marks Appear

Track marks often appear near the crook of the arm and the forearm, like where you get your blood drawn. This area is easily accessible, though more visible. Because of the visibility, and running out of space, track marks can appear on other areas of the body.

Track Marks on Arms

On arms, track marks can look like small circular wounds. The edges may look pink and scabby. Redness and bruising around the site is also common. The wounds often follow a line down the forearm (‘tracking’ a vein).

Track Marks on Feet

Track marks on the feet look similar, like red splotchy wounds with discoloration and potentially signs of infection or festering. Someone may inject drugs into their feet to hide track marks (with their shoes). Sweat and friction can make track marks on feet more likely to not heal, become infected, and hurt.

Track Marks on Legs

Leg track marks look the same, like red, irritated wounds in a cluster or line down the leg. The track marks will likely follow a line down the femur or calf. The upper thigh may be a preferred injection site since there’s more muscle, and it can be easier to hide with clothes.

Track Marks on Hands

Track marks on hands can be the easiest to spot and the hardest to heal without infection. Hands come into contact with all types of germs and move almost constantly, making healing more difficult. Track marks on hands can look more ‘angry’ and inflamed with bruising and redness around the small circular wound.

How Long Do Track Marks Last?

Track marks can take a long time to heal as the body tries to adapt to addiction and its common effects, like malnourishment, dehydration, and other dysfunctions. Reinjecting into the injection site also makes it harder for track marks to heal since the needle and general activity in that area reopens wounds. Infections can slow down healing, too.

It can take a few days to weeks for track mark wounds to completely close. Then, they might leave needle scars. Scars can fade over time, especially when you keep them protected from the sun and friction. They won’t go away completely but can become less noticeable.

Do Track Marks Go Away?

Some needle marks may go away completely if they’re well taken care of during healing and if no more injections open up the wounds. A body free from addictive substances is more likely to heal track marks. 

As is more often the case, people with substance use disorders inject repeatedly. They may frequent a certain body part, like their forearm, and develop a cluster of track marks. Reinjecting opens healing wounds and starts the process over. Reinjecting also makes scarring more likely.  

The more healing measures taken right away, the more likely track marks will close up and heal with minimal scarring or none at all.

What Are The Risks of IV Drug Use and Track Marks?

The risks of IV drug use broadly include:

  • Infection
  • Abscesses
  • Blood-borne diseases like HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, syphilis, and malaria
  • Scarring
  • Blood clots due to collapsed veins
  • Itching
  • Pain and tenderness in the area
  • Overdose
  • Death

Unclean/shared needles can pass blood-borne pathogens and cause infection. Some harm-reduction programs supply IV drug users with clean needles2 and education on addiction to lower these risks. But the best way to mitigate risk completely is to stop substance use, which addiction treatment centers can help with.

How Do People Hide Track Marks?

People often hide track marks with clothing, bandages, or even tattoos (over scars, not fresh). Someone hiding track marks may wear unseasonable clothes, like long sleeves in the summer. Avoiding social interactions and becoming reclusive is another common way to hide track marks.

What to Do if Someone You Love Has Track Marks?

If you notice your loved one has track marks, you can first assess if they need immediate medical treatment. Check if the wounds look infected: red, radiating heat, leaking pus, or a trail of red leading from the wound. It may also have abscesses that need draining. If they need medical attention, you can take them to urgent care or the emergency room. 

Depending on their needs, the staff at the urgent care center or emergency room will bandage and clean their wounds, then begin the detox process or refer the patient to detox.

If they don’t need medical attention, you can have an honest and compassionate conversation with your loved one. Here’s a few things you can ask to gauge how they’re doing and their willingness to attend treatment:

  1. “How long have you been injecting drugs?”
  2. “What drug have you been using?”
  3. “Have you ever tried to stop? How did that go?”
  4. “I can help you find a treatment center. Are you ready to start treatment?”

If they are ready and willing for treatment, you can use Recovery.com to find a range of recovery services, including detox and inpatient, to fit their needs. A clinical assessment from your loved one’s primary doctor or a medical professional at the treatment center determines if they’ll need to detox, or if they can start therapeutic work right away.

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What Is a Speedball?

A speedball is a combination of 2 powerful drugs, heroin and cocaine, usually taken intravenously or through other means of ingestion. Also known as a “powerball,” “ball,” or “Belushi” (in reference to the late comedian John Belushi, who died from a speedball overdose), this mixture creates an intense high that combines heroin’s sedative effects with the stimulating effects of cocaine. Despite their potentially fatal consequences, people who use speedballs seek out the simultaneous rush of euphoria and energy they provide. 

The synergy between these 2 potent and dangerous drugs creates a highly unpredictable experience. Speedballs pose serious risks to users’ physical and psychological health. And the use of speedballs despite their obvious dangers signals an urgent need for intervention and treatment. 

So what is a speedball, and what are its effects? Let’s look at how this drug combination works, its risks—including overdose—and how to get help for speedball addiction. 

What’s in a Speedball?

A speedball is a combination of 2 strong and potentially lethal substances: heroin and cocaine. This deadly mix of uppers and downers is often prepared by mixing powdered cocaine, a stimulant derived from the coca plant, with heroin, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from the opium poppy. This heroin and cocaine mix carries a high risk of life-threatening consequences—which is why it’s crucial for those struggling with this kind of drug abuse to get professional help.

What Are the Effects of a Speedball?

Heroin works by binding to opioid receptors1 in the brain, producing dopamine, which causes its euphoric effects. Cocaine, a stimulant, makes users feel energetic and alert. The interaction between these 2 substances produces a complex and unpredictable physiological response that alters users’ mood, behavior, and overall perception. The combined effects of heroin and cocaine create a euphoric high that’s often accompanied by a profound sense of relaxation. 

Stimulating and depressing your central nervous system at the same time can have immediate, life-threatening consequences. According to the Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration,

Taking stimulants with opioids2 can cause negative side effects typically associated with the abuse of either one individually, such as a state of general confusion, incoherence, blurred vision, stupor, drowsiness, paranoia, and mental impairment because of lack of sleep. The combination can also result in uncontrolled and uncoordinated motor skills, and also the risk of death from stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, or respiratory failure.

The interaction between these contrasting substances can also result in a range of long-term health impacts.

What Occurs During a Speedball Overdose? 

The simultaneous use of heroin and cocaine in a speedball carries a significant and potentially fatal overdose risk. The combined effects of these substances on the central nervous and cardiovascular systems can trigger a range of severe symptoms that may indicate an overdose:

  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Irregular or slowed heartbeat
  • Severe chest pain
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness

In some cases, a speedball drug overdose can result in respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and ultimately, death. A speedball overdose is a critical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

What Are the Risks and Dangers of Speedballs?

Speedballs pose a grave danger due to their high risk of life-threatening outcomes. People who use this deadly drug combination face several serious risks:

Heart Attack

Speedballs significantly increase the risk of heart attack due to the intense stimulation of the cardiovascular system caused by the combined effects of heroin and cocaine.

Stroke

Speedballs increase the risk of stroke, as the combination of these substances can elevate blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Respiratory Failure

Speedballs can cause respiratory depression, increasing the risk of breathing difficulties and potential respiratory failure.

Overdose

Combining heroin and cocaine in a speedball can increase the risk of overdose, as users may miscalculate the dosage or underestimate the potency of the mixture.

Cardiac Arrest

The simultaneous use of heroin and cocaine in a speedball can trigger cardiac arrest, especially in those with underlying heart conditions or a history of cardiovascular issues.

Seizures

Speedballs increase the likelihood of seizures, as the combination of heroin and cocaine can disrupt the brain’s electrical activity and lead to convulsions.

Increased Risk of Addiction

The potent effects of speedballs can quickly lead to addiction, as the intense euphoria and stimulation produced by this mixture can create a powerful psychological and physical dependence.

Mental Health Complications

Prolonged use of speedballs can lead to severe mental health issues including anxiety, depression, paranoia, and psychosis.

Treatment Options for Speedball Addiction 

Opioids like heroin quickly create a strong physical dependence.3 According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 

“Heroin… produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence. Tolerance occurs when more and more of the drug is required to achieve the same effects. With physical dependence, the body adapts to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly.”

As such, it’s important to detox from speedballs in a medically supervised setting. It’s also important to remember that detox is only the first step and should be followed by a comprehensive opioid treatment program.

Addiction rehab is available in a range of formats. In addition to inpatient treatment, you may also choose to attend a partial hospitalization program, where you’ll spend your days at a treatment facility and return home at night, or an intensive outpatient program, where you’ll attend intensive programming on a part-time basis. 

Get Help Today

If you or someone you know is struggling with the devastating effects of speedball addiction, it’s essential to get professional help as soon as possible. Medical detox, followed by quality care in an addiction treatment program, can help you safely recover from the effects of speedballs and get on track toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Speedball Addiction

What are the risks and dangers of using speedballs?

Speedballs, a combination of heroin and cocaine, pose severe risks including heart attack, stroke, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, seizures, addiction, and mental health complications. The simultaneous use of these substances heightens the chances of life-threatening outcomes, making immediate intervention and addiction treatment crucial.

What happens during a speedball overdose?

A speedball overdose (a result of combining heroin and cocaine) is often marked by extreme drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, seizures, and loss of consciousness. It can escalate to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and in critical cases, death. Urgent medical attention is critical if someone shows these signs.

What’s involved in speedball addiction treatment?

Treatment for speedball addiction usually starts with medically supervised detox, which is crucial for managing withdrawal symptoms. But detox is just the beginning. Following detox, comprehensive addiction treatment is necessary to address underlying issues and aid long-term recovery. This can be done via an inpatient, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient program.

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What Is Gas Station Heroin (Tianeptine)?

Gas station heroin, or tianeptine, acts like an opioid. It closely mimics heroin and often sells in gas stations and online stores, earning it the name “gas station heroin.” And like opioids, tianeptine can be highly addictive. 

Some states have made tianeptine illegal. Other states heed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation1, which states “…it is an unsafe food additive, and dietary supplements containing tianeptine are adulterated under the FD&C Act.” As such, tianeptine sellers can’t say it’s meant for consumption—or really anything else but “laboratory research.” 

But that doesn’t make gas station heroin any less addictive or any harder to get. To help you or your loved one recover, your care team might suggest going to rehab for drug addiction. 

Understanding Gas Station Heroin

Gas station heroin goes by several street names: ZaZa, Tianna, Pegasus, and TD Red. Tianeptine was created and patented as an antidepressant2 and still has that function in some European, Asian, and Latin American countries. But in the U.S., some use tianeptine as a pseudo-opioid. Because it’s not a controlled substance across the whole U.S. (yet), the legality of tianeptine proves tempting. 

Tianeptine acts like an opioid2 because it’s also a mu-opioid receptor agonist, which means it causes an influx of dopamine along your brain’s pleasure circuit. That’s why it’s effects can be compared to heroin. Tianeptine also causes opioid-like withdrawal symptoms—some say it’s even worse3.   

Despite being marketed as a demure dietary supplement, a nootropic, or a novel way to treat depression, tianeptine is far from safe. Smaller doses may prove harmless or even beneficial for non-U.S. patients taking it as prescribed. But, like heroin, tianeptine use could easily spiral into a costly addiction. 

What Are the Dangers of Gas Station Heroin?

Unknown Risks and Consequences

One of the dangers of tianeptine comes from the public’s general lack of how it’s used4 and the resulting effects. For example, gas station heroin coagulates when it gets wet3. If you try to inject it, as you would heroin, the coagulation could cause vein damage. Snorting it creates the same problems, since your nose and nasal cavity are wet, too. 

But many don’t know that. They might also assume that snorting or injecting tianeptine causes a “better” high3 than ingesting it, like heroin. In reality, that’s not true. Snorting tianeptine also hurts quite bad.  

Many also don’t know tianeptine can be addictive and have painful withdrawal symptoms. That’s understandable, since many sellers present tianeptine as a nootropic (cognitive enhancer) or as an innocent dietary supplement. Though more and more have realized the true nature of tianeptine, including the states fighting to illegalize it, it’s been too little too late for some.  

Overdose, Tolerance, and Withdrawals

Taking a seemingly safe drug with unknown effects could lead to overdoses, which have been fatal. You might not know how much is safe, how often you can take it, and what doesn’t pair well with tianeptine. These factors all increase your chance of an overdose. 

Even within “safe” doses, your tolerance will build. As time goes on, you may need to take higher and higher doses to feel the same positive effects. The more you take, the more likely an overdose becomes. And the higher and riskier your dose goes, the worse your withdrawals could feel4.    

Withdrawing from tianeptine feels like withdrawing from opioids, or worse. Tianeptine has a short half-life4, meaning withdrawal symptoms can set in fast. Symptoms can also last up to 2 weeks3. These symptoms include mental and physical effects4, like

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Drowsiness
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • High blood pressure
  • Stomach pain and digestive issues
  • Vomiting 
  • Suicidal thoughts

In a recent localized study, over half the calls to poison control centers for tianeptine withdrawals resulted in medical care5. Tianeptine does, thankfully, respond to naloxone, which reverses the effects of an overdose. If you or someone you know needs help because of an overdose, call 911 or talk to poison control. 

Easy Access

As the nickname “gas station heroin” suggests, you can find tianeptine in some gas stations, smoke shops, and online websites. It’s highly accessible and can be all-too-easy to get a hold of (in bulk or by the bottle). But its accessibility doesn’t mean it’s safe. Here’s just a few of the reasons why:

  • 1. Unregulated Quality: The FDA doesn’t regulate gas station drugs, meaning there’s no guarantee of the quality or purity of the product. This could lead to serious health risks since the product could contain dangerous contaminants or chemicals.
  • 2. Unknown Ingredients: Many gas station drugs contain ingredients that aren’t labeled or disclosed to the consumer. This could lead to serious health risks if you’re unaware of the active ingredients in the product.
  • 3. Dosing Instructions: Gas station drugs often rarely include dosing instructions, which can lead to overdosing or underdosing, both of which can be dangerous.
  • 4. Contamination: Gas station drugs may have contaminants like bacteria, fungi, and others, which can lead to serious health risks.
  • 5. Addiction Risk: Gas station drugs can be highly addictive, leading to a dependence on the substance. This can lead to serious health risks, like withdrawal symptoms.

Despite these challenges, you do have recovery resources to find the healing you need.

Getting Help for Drug Addiction

Tianeptine could reel you in with its legality, easy access, and promises of newfound wellbeing. But you can get out of its grip. 

Many treatments for drug addiction use a combination of therapy and medications. Your doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines to ease your detox6 symptoms. Fluids and vitamins7 can help, too. 

After detoxing, you’ll begin to navigate the trauma, circumstance, or untrue thought(s) that may have led to using tianeptine. Therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy), and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) can change your perspective and offer new coping tools for your future. Your therapist will likely introduce you to these therapies in group and individual settings. 

During or after rehab, you can also start Narcotics Anonymous (NA). As a 12-Step peer group, NA connects you to others in recovery and helps keep you accountable. Meetings take place worldwide.
View our list of drug addiction rehabs to see photos, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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What Is The Most Addictive Drug?

The most addictive drug varies from person to person. Some genetic mutations make certain drugs more addictive than others. Or, you might find yourself drawn to a seemingly “less addictive” drug, like nicotine, that feels just as powerful as a narcotic. 

With that said, scientists have narrowed down a few of the top addictive drugs. Their addictive potential comes from reactions, communications, and changes in the brain. 

But for each addictive drug, you have resources for recovery. You can speak with your care team to decide which route of treatment works best for you—like going to rehab. 

Heroin

Heroin comes from certain poppy plants. As an opioid, heroin is highly addictive and can change the structure of your brain1 over time. It usually comes from South America. Dealers often cut heroin with starches, sugars, or sedatives—some of which can have unpredictable and unwanted effects. 

Pure heroin looks like a white powder and tastes bitter. Impure heroin is called “black tar” for its sticky feel and dark color (from impurities). 

You can snort powdered heroin or smoke it. For black tar heroin, you can inject it into your veins or muscles once it’s been dissolved and diluted.

Heroin absorbs into mucous membranes in your nose and lungs—or, if you inject it intravenously, it dissolves directly into your bloodstream. 

Once ingested, heroin bonds to mu-opioid receptors in your brain and activates them2, which turns off GABAergic neurons. GABAergic neurons keep dopamine from rushing along your reward circuit. Once the opioid receptor turns GABAergic neurons off, dopamine runs free, which causes a rush of euphoria and a strong sense of general well-being. 

Activating the reward system like this tells your brain opioids are about as great as it gets. Add in the distressing withdrawal symptoms, and getting more can feel like an urgent need. And as you keep taking heroin, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same high as your first time2—which means you’ve built up a tolerance. 

Much of heroin’s danger lies in this rapid high-low pendulum swing.  Soon, you might need high doses to keep from feeling sick. Trying to chase your first high, you might accidentally overdose. 

Taking too much could cause your breathing to slow to null3. You might also feel constipated, nauseous, and extremely itchy. Long-term use can knock your neuronal and hormonal systems off balance4—sometimes permanently. 

Alcohol

As a depressant, alcohol suppresses the central nervous system. And, alcohol is both socially accepted and easy to get—a tricky combination. Alcohol causes a sense of happiness and well-being5, which activates your brain’s reward system. It sees alcohol as medicine and, eventually, as something you inherently need to survive. 

Because of its addictive nature and easy access, alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to abuse6. Over half the visits to emergency rooms have something to do with alcohol. It’s also one of the 2 most-used substances, the other being nicotine. 

Different alcoholic drinks have different levels, or percentages, of alcohol. For example, an alcoholic seltzer drink is usually 5-8% alcohol; in something like vodka, the rate goes up to 40%. 

As with illicit drugs, you can build a tolerance to alcohol. So, you might need to add a splash of vodka to your seltzer or have an extra glass of wine to feel how you’re used to feeling on alcohol. The longer this continues, the more you’ll need to drink. 

Withdrawals include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and seizures. For many, safely detoxing from alcohol requires medical supervision. 

Nicotine

Nicotine, like many other drugs, causes a release of dopamine7. But with nicotine, the rush isn’t quite as intense as something like heroin. Nicotine has such addictive power because of its repetitive nature7 and because you can use it with other activities (and substances). 

Smoking a cigarette or vaping can enhance the pleasure of other activities7, like watching a movie, partying, having a cup of coffee, or listening to music. Even though nicotine only adds to these activities, your brain still associates it as the source of joy in those situations. And so, you learn to keep smoking, subconsciously chasing satisfaction.

What used to be fun and motivating might seem boring or too mundane without the added boost from nicotine, so stopping can be challenging7. You might even feel like nothing’s enjoyable without smoking. That’s because nicotine represses your natural dopamine-release functions, and once they’ve been suppressed for so long, it can take time for your brain to adjust and provide its own. 

Though unpleasant, nicotine withdrawals won’t hurt you8. You may have a bad headache and experience cravings. You might also feel more anxious and hungry. But all withdrawal symptoms pass with time. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, subdue the central nervous system. They’re usually prescribed to help with anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia9 for their calming, sedative effects. But benzos can also be highly addictive.

Some benzodiazepines can cause dependence faster than others. But usually, people use them with another drug9 to balance or complement other effects. Alcohol and benzos, for example, produce an enhanced calm but can dangerously suppress the central nervous system.

The benzodiazepine Rohypnol, AKA roofies, acts as a powerful sedative. Some misuse benzos like Rohypnol against others. But usually, benzodiazepines appeal for their countering effects against opioids and for self-sedation.

Benzodiazepine withdrawals9 can feel extremely uncomfortable. You could experience nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, psychosis, hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), and convulsions. For those reasons, detoxing under medical supervision is a safer option. 

Methamphetamines

Doctors may prescribe the psychostimulant methamphetamine, or metamfetamine, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)10. In healthy doses (for those who need it), methamphetamine’s effects resemble the brain’s fight-or-flight response10. This response  increases energy, alertness, and focus. But it’s also a drug of abuse with a high potential for addiction.

Methamphetamine looks like a white powder11 or crystal-like rocks. It’s relatively easy to make and cheap to buy. Many pseudo-scientists make methamphetamine in discreet labs, usually hidden off the beaten path.  But most meth comes from larger labs in Mexico and overseas countries. 

Methamphetamine releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine10, which contribute to pleasure, satisfaction, and alertness. Using methamphetamine for pleasure can cause binges, since the desired effects only last a few minutes. And because meth is one of the cheaper stimulants and easy to get, feeding the binges might not seem like a problem. 

But, as with other drugs, your brain changes with repeated doses. You might build up a tolerance12, prompting higher doses. Your brain may also stop producing dopamine and serotonin on its own. 

Methamphetamine withdrawals12 can cause cravings, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. 

Cocaine

Cocaine is another highly addictive stimulant13. It’s also one of the most common illicit drugs14 in America. 

Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine14, meaning dopamine stacks up on dopamine receptors. This sends an intense rush of pleasure and stimulates the entire reward pathway15, causing your brain to see cocaine use as intrinsically rewarding. Even the sights, sounds, and places associated with cocaine use can trigger the need for a dose. 

As with many other drugs, you can become used to the effects of cocaine, or “tolerant”. You’ll need more and more to feel the same high as your first time. This puts you at risk for an overdose. New dangers also lie in adding vermisol to cocaine15, which is used as a cutting agent. Sometimes, fentanyl even makes its way in. 

The withdrawals from cocaine16 include insomnia, tremors, cravings, and hyperactivity. 

Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a smokeable version of regular cocaine17. So it’s also a stimulant, and addictive, but even more potent due to how it’s ingested. Before it’s smoked, crack cocaine looks like small rocks or crystals. 

The membranes in your lungs absorb crack cocaine18 easily and quickly, resulting in an almost immediate high. The high goes away faster than powder or liquid cocaine, which could prompt a binge—smoking until you run out of crack or money.  

The reinforcing action is even more powerful in crack cocaine17. Your brain thinks it’s a good idea to keep having more more often, trying to realize the pleasure it knows crack can give.

Barbiturates

Similar to benzodiazepines, barbiturates are a depressant19 generally used for anxiety, headaches, seizure prevention, and insomnia. Those who misuse this prescribed medication usually do to counter the effects of other drugs—typically stimulants like cocaine.

You can take barbiturates as a pill or liquid. Barbiturates make you feel sleepy, relaxed, and at ease19. They can also impair your memory and judgment, and make you irritable. You might also feel paranoid and suicidal.  

Overdosing on barbiturates19 causes your heart rate to rise, your breathing to slow, and your body temperature to lower. Overdoses can also cause comas and death.  

Methadone

Doctors prescribe methadone, a synthetic opioid20, to treat opioid use disorders (OUDs). It relieves cravings, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and doesn’t provide the same “rush” of euphoria as other opioids. At the correct dosage, these factors make methadone a valuable treatment element20 for OUDs. 

Part of what makes methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) effective is the low risk for addiction. And, in MMT, you don’t have to share needles or risk taking heroin, cocaine, etc., of unknown purity20. Doctor oversight adds another element of safety. 

But methadone does have an addictive element. The usual dose for OUD management ranges from 60+mgs20. Sometimes, patients in treatment buy extra doses from others or hoard doses to eventually get a euphoric effect from methadone. 

Taking too much methadone can cause dangerous effects, especially if you’re on other medications. Signs and symptoms of an overdose20 include dizziness, slurred speech, unconsciousness, slow pulse, shallow breathing, tiny pupils, and frothing at the mouth. 

Naloxone reverses the overdose effects of methadone20, as it does with other opioids. 

Marijuana

Marijuana, or weed, comes from the marijuana plant. Its addictive psychoactive properties lie in the THC21 (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana. You can ingest marijuana in many ways21—smoking the leaves, drinking it in tea, eating foods with weed, and smoking concentrated weed in the form of a sticky resin.

Weed produces a sense of relaxation22 and a milder feeling of euphoria. Weed can also make you pretty hungry (or, give you the munchies) and laugh easily. You’ll experience these effects right away if you smoke weed. 

Eating it slows the onset by a half hour or more, which could prompt you to redose, thinking it’s not working. Taking too much can cause anxiety, fear, paranoia, and panic22—the opposite of what weed usually feels like. Extremely high doses can even cause acute psychosis.  

Marijuana activates the reward system23 in your brain, causing a flood of dopamine to course along your reward pathway. After continued use, your brain teaches you to keep having weed as a way to feel reward and satisfaction. Continued usage can also impair your memory, learning abilities, and balance23.

Starting weed at a young age leads to a higher risk of addiction24. But anyone at any age can find themselves addicted, meaning they’d feel withdrawal symptoms and be completely unable to stop—even when they know they should. In states that don’t monitor distribution, the potency of THC continues to rise too. This creates consequences scientists and health professionals haven’t fully realized yet. 

But for each substance and its potential for addiction, you have opportunities to recover. 

Find Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Near You

The most addictive drug could vary widely from person to person. While one person might struggle to stop smoking cigarettes, someone else might not feel able to stop drinking—but drinking isn’t a problem for the first one. 

Fortunately, treatment for drug addiction caters to this variance. You can get the care you need at a residential rehab, outpatient facility, or detox unit. Your care team can help you decide which type and level of care will best meet your needs. 
To see a comprehensive collection of rehab facilities, you can browse our list of drug addiction rehabs to see photos, prices, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Healing From Heroin Addiction—and Stigma

Because heroin addiction is so highly stigmatized, it can be difficult to ask for help. And recovery can be overwhelming without the proper support. Fortunately, many rehab programs specialize in heroin addiction treatment.

You may be tempted to delay treatment for many reasons, including the associated stigma, the risks of detox, or a sense of isolation. Remember, though, that you can overcome these challenges with the help of experienced healthcare providers. In the right context, with an expert team at your side, recovery is absolutely possible.

Stories of Recovery From Heroin Addiction

People are often motivated to begin healing from heroin misuse because they’re unhappy with how addiction has negatively impacted their lives. They may not like the detrimental mental and physical impacts that heroin has had on them, and they may have cut ties or damaged relationships with family and friends.

“I’m Living Proof That Recovery Is Possible”

For Tracey Helton Mitchell, her desire to heal from heroin addiction3 was related to a deep unhappiness about the way she was living her life. “I had multiple soft tissue infections related to an unsterile injection technique, and I had become extremely thin,” she said. “I had no meaningful relationships. Most of all, I was tired of living to use and using to live.”

After being arrested, she decided to seek help at a rehabilitation center, and has been sober ever since “The important thing to remember is that you can get your life back,” she said. “Within less than a week, your whole life can start to turn for the better. I am living proof that recovery is possible.”

Addiction Is Not a Moral Failing

It’s far too common for heroin addiction to isolate people from social support. And unfortunately, the stigma associated with substance use disorders4 can directly interfere with the healing process. As you begin healing, look for ways to practice self-compassion. This is easier said than done, but with the help of a trained therapist, it can have a huge impact on your continued recovery.

“The thing that I think that people are quickly understanding is that opiate addiction does not discriminate and is not a moral failing,” says John, who was addicted to opiates5 himself. “Many of us that have become addicted are intelligent, valuable people who lost control after experimentation, curiosity or having the opiates prescribed. I didn’t ever intend to be a heroin addict; it quickly got out of control.”

You are more than your heroin addiction. The good news is that it’s very possible to overcome this disorder with the right help and care. Long-term recovery rates from heroin addiction6 are especially good for those who stay sober for at least 5 years after stopping use. Every person’s recovery journey is different, and it’s important to find the best program to cater to your own specific needs. Luckily, there are a variety of treatment options that you can customize to fit your specific situation.

Treating Heroin Addiction

Healing looks different for everyone. But during recovery from heroin addiction, certain therapies are especially effective. Most patients either seek pharmaceutical or behavioral approaches, or both. Research shows that these 2 treatment methods for heroin use disorder7 are most effective when combined. But no matter which form of treatment you engage in, it’s best to begin by undergoing detox.

Medical Detox

Detoxification—the period of withdrawal from a drug—can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous. The symptoms of opiate withdrawal8 may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, hot and cold flashes, and more.

Without proper supervision, this process can be life-threatening. Because of this, medical detox is highly recommended for people in recovery from heroin misuse. This process normally lasts a maximum of 10-14 days. During that time, you’ll be closely monitored by a team of doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals. These experts can also prescribe medications that help make the process more comfortable and reduce negative symptoms.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Heroin Addiction

It’s possible to become both psychologically and physiologically addicted to opiates, including heroin. Because of this, most patients benefit from both mental health treatment, like talk therapy, and medical treatment, like prescribed pharmaceuticals. Some medications may even be helpful before you begin detox.

For example, naloxone is a drug used as a temporary strategy to prevent opioid overdose.9 This is not a long-term treatment for heroin addiction; it’s a short-term solution to a life-threatening emergency. The availability and ease of acquiring Naloxone varies by location. In some areas, you may be able to get it free of charge from a pharmacy or community-based health group. After you complete detox, this medication will likely be unnecessary.

During detox and recovery, opioid replacement therapy10 is the best pharmacological treatment option for heroin addiction. This consists of replacing heroin with another opioid that has a longer duration of action, making it safer and less harmful.

There are three different kinds of medications that do this. They are agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists. Agonists and partial agonists both work by activating opioid receptors (partial agonists just have a lower efficacy), while antagonists prevent the receptor from binding at all. The following is a list of the most common medications used in helping treat heroin use disorder.

Methadone (Dolophine or Methadose)
Methadone is an opioid agonist that slowly reduces the “high” heroin produces, while simultaneously preventing any withdrawal symptoms. This therapy stops heroin cravings11 and is less likely to cause overdose.

However, there is still some risk of overdose if methadone is not taken as prescribed. It also interacts with other medications, affects people differently, and contains long-lasting active ingredients, making it crucial that the dosage be constantly monitored and reevaluated.

Because of these potential risks, methadone is normally administered with a practitioner present,12 although some patients may eventually take it at home after a certain period of time. This progression will be determined by a medical professional.

Buprenorphine (Subutex)
This medication is a partial opioid agonist that prevents heroin cravings without the high. There is less risk of overdose, but because it’s still an opioid, there’s a chance that it can be misused. While buprenorphine can be taken at home, it still needs to be prescribed by a doctor.

Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
This opioid antagonist works to stop any opioid action and is not addictive. Naltrexone is best for people who have already gone through detox from opioids, since it can cause debilitating withdrawal symptoms if not. A licensed healthcare provider can supply a prescription for Naltrexone.

Substituting and tapering methadone or buprenorphine are the 2 most effective medication-based treatments for heroin addiction.13 When used in conjunction with psychotherapy, these medications have proven to be extremely successful in helping patients recover.

Behavioral Treatment Options

Heroin addiction is associated with a variety of emotional symptoms,14 including depression, negative self-image, and a sense of meaningless and isolation. Because of this, mental health treatment is an essential component of recovery.

Counseling services are offered in both outpatient and residential facilities, and can be crucial in giving patients the tools and confidence they need in order to successfully recover from substance use disorders. According to one study, patients who focus on improving self-confidence and treating mental health symptoms in therapy have an improved chance of sustained and stable recovery from heroin misuse.15

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has proved to be successful in treating heroin addiction,16 especially when combined with medication. Contingency management, in which individuals gain ‘points’ for negative drug tests that they can then exchange for vouchers, is another effective strategy.

You can talk to your doctor about the right method(s) for you. It’s important to tailor your treatment plan to fit your needs, and to determine what will benefit you the most on your road to recovery.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment requires patients to live at a rehabilitation facility for a specified duration of time. In an outpatient program, you would stay in your home but frequently visit the center to participate in therapy and other forms of treatment.

One study found that residential treatment is especially helpful in treating opioid addictions 17 such as heroin use disorder, since it helps reduce the social and environmental triggers that may lead to relapse. Because of this, it’s not surprising that fewer people finish outpatient treatment for this condition. If heroin misuse is your primary concern, inpatient rehab may be a better option for most patients.

Preparing for Rehab

It’s important to prepare for rehab in order to make the process as smooth as possible. This will help you ease into your healing journey, and allow you to focus on the work of recovery.

Planning Ahead

While getting ready for rehab, stay in close communication with the admissions team at your chosen treatment center. They can answer any questions or concerns you may have about attending a rehab facility, including what to bring with you, what to expect when you arrive at rehab, and other helpful ways to prepare.

It’s crucial to minimize stress while you’re attending treatment in order to really focus on healing. To do this, take care of as many tasks as you can beforehand, both for work and in your personal life. This includes setting up automatic payments for bills, planning for childcare, and booking a house or pet sitter. Take the time you need to consider what this means for you.

Taking Leave From Work

You may need to take some time off of work to go to rehab, especially if you decide to attend an inpatient facility. While it may seem intimidating to approach your workplace about taking a leave of absence to attend treatment, remember that you need to do what’s best for you. Ultimately, your work will suffer if you put off getting the help you need.

Know that there are laws in place to keep you employed while you attend a treatment center. In addition, most employers prioritize the overall well-being of their staff members, and understand that this will lead to a better workplace environment for everyone.

Many employers will support your decision to seek care. There’s also a high chance that the addiction or detox center that you choose will help you navigate this discussion with your workplace. You may want to prepare for the conversation by learning about your company’s policies, as well as your employee rights. Be honest with your employer, and explain your plan for seeking treatment.

Creating a Healthy Support System

It can be extremely beneficial to have a support system of people that you can talk to during your recovery process. They can help motivate you to see the process through, and comfort you on difficult days.

For some people, this support network can include family and friends. However, that’s not possible for everyone. Because heroin addiction can be so stigmatized and isolating, you may arrive at rehab without an established community. If that’s the case, you can focus on connecting with the people in your cohort. Your peers can offer valuable support, and it may be helpful to lean on people with similar experiences to yours.

Long-Term Recovery From Heroin Misuse

Your recovery may begin with residential treatment, but that’s just the first step. If you have a history of heroin addiction, it’s important to plan for long-term care to avoid relapse and manage your physical health.

Heroin addiction can have negative effects on the brain,18 and is particularly associated with brain functions that play a role in decision making. On a related note, long-term heroin addiction may lead to impulsive and dangerous decisions.19 Heroin use disorder may also lead to scarred veins, bacterial infections of blood vessels, liver and kidney diseases, insomnia, and lung complications.

If you’ve taken heroin intravenously, you may be vulnerable to disease. The widespread sharing of syringes and frequent injections increase the risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B, C and other blood-borne infectious diseases.

During residential rehab, your providers can help you plan for aftercare. Your specific plan may include ongoing medical treatment, psychotherapy, support groups, and a variety of other healing modalities.

Hope Is Right Around the Corner

When your diagnosis impacts the rest of your life, it can be hard to imagine a way to heal. Remember that you deserve care. And fortunately, there are treatments available. It is possible to overcome heroin addiction, no matter how difficult it may seem.

“I think because there are so many unsuccessful and sad stories out there we miss the successful stories,” says Brittney, who has been sober from opioids for 8 years.20 “The stories where mothers and children are being reunited, the stories where women are standing on their own two feet and working towards goals and achieving them, the stories where that lost girl finds her way and makes it. These are the stories of hope, if you look hard enough they’re on every corner.”

If you’re ready to seek help for a substance use disorder, search our list of rehabs that treat heroin addiction.