If you have been abusing drugs or alcohol, it’s essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Addiction to drugs can have detrimental effects on one’s physical well-being and can result in severe psychological issues.
If you’re unsure whether it’s time to seek help, here are five signs that indicate it is:
You’re Struggling Financially
People who struggle with heroin addiction are more likely to experience financial difficulties. This is because of both the euphoric effects of heroin and the way that the drug can cause people to spend recklessly, which can lead to costly mistakes.
Many signs of severe financial trouble are glaring and obvious, like not paying your bills or keeping up with credit card payments. But other indicators are more subtle and more accessible to ignore.
If you’re concerned about the financial health of someone close to you, you can offer help by encouraging them to seek treatment at a heroin detox in Memphis, TN. Medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine, can ease withdrawal symptoms, minimize cravings, and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
You’re Causing Harm to Yourself or Others
If your drug use is putting you or someone else at risk, it’s time to seek help. This could be the result of using a needle that carries a high risk for HIV or other bloodborne infections, taking drugs in a public place where you can get injured by other people’s drug paraphernalia, or engaging in dangerous sexual behavior while under the influence.
Your drug use may also cause you to neglect your responsibilities and relationships, which can be extremely harmful to your mental health. If your friends or family members are concerned, they should speak up and encourage you to get drug rehabilitation.
Often, the signs of addiction aren’t undeniable. For example, hangovers are a clear indicator of alcohol abuse, but some people ignore them as “normal” and continue to use alcohol.
You’re Losing Control Over Your Habit
When people are addicted to substances like heroin, it can lead to a variety of problems. These include neglected responsibilities, strained relationships, legal troubles, and poor health.
Drug use can also cause feelings of powerlessness and loss of control over one’s behavior. This is a sign that it’s time to seek help from a heroin detox center.
Symptoms of withdrawal from heroin include chills, nausea, and sweating. These symptoms begin around six to 24 hours after the last dose. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on the individual’s history and degree of abuse. While a person can sometimes explain away or rationalize these symptoms, it’s best to receive medical treatment. This can prevent complications and ease withdrawal symptoms until they’re entirely gone. This can take weeks or even months.
You’re Relapsing
Relapse is a normal part of the recovery process, but it’s essential to recognize the warning signs to get help before it’s too late. One common sign is if you’re romanticizing your drug use, such as thinking about the good times you had or remembering a favorite drug moment. This is a precursor to mental relapse, which can then lead to physical relapse.
Another warning sign is if you’re skipping treatment appointments or not following your disease management plan. This can include skipping group meetings or not engaging in your recovery work, like doing a fearless moral inventory. This can also mean you must keep up with your medication schedule or eat well. These are all early warning signs that it’s time to check into a rehab facility.
You’re Putting Yourself at Risk
As a highly addictive opioid, heroin can cause serious health problems. It can lead to a variety of physical issues, such as blood infections like HIV and Hepatitis B and C, soft-tissue infections from injections (which often result in pus-filled wounds), and life-threatening lung problems, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Drug users often share injection equipment and bodily fluids, which puts them at risk of contracting bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. This can lead to many serious consequences, including death.
Supervised detox is a vital first step to recovering from heroin addiction. During this time, medical professionals will assess a person’s needs and help them establish a treatment plan. This will likely include medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.