Heroin vs Heroin-based Drugs
While heroin has a reputation of being one of the most addictive and powerful illegal street drugs in the world, there are a number of pharmaceutical medicines derived from it. And although heroin itself is especially well-known as being dangerous, some of those medically-approved pharmaceuticals are actually more addictive, more powerful, and more dangerous than heroin.
The medicines built from heroin and those that are synthetic heroin are referred to as opiates and opioids. Technically speaking, the difference between opiates and opioids is that opiates are directly created from the poppy plant. On the other hand, opioids are any substance that binds itself to the parts of the brain that are affected by opiates. This means that although every opiate is an opioid, not all opioids are opiates since opioids can and are often synthetically built by pharmaceutical companies. For example, heroin is itself an opiate but not an opioid.
Some of the drugs, medical or otherwise, include:
- Methadone
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Codeine
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
- Morphine
- Opium
Though this list isn’t comprehensive to all opioids available, those listed above are some of the most addictive with particularly widespread cases of abuse, including in Pompano Beach, FL .
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
The signs and symptoms of opioid addiction include:
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
- Itchiness
- Financial problems
- Pulling away from friends or family
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Drop in productivity
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Shallow breathing
- Slow breathing
- Drowsiness
- Slow heart rate
- Heart problems
- More susceptible to infection
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
Though the effects of heroin and it’s opioid counterparts are generally very similar, there are specific signs and symptoms that indicate heroin use specifically, these include:
- Needle marks
- Bruises on areas injections are common
- Abscesses
- Skin infections
- Collapsed veins
- Paraphernalia found together (combinations of spoons, foil, lighters, candles, needles, syringes, cotton balls, metal bottle caps, tie-offs, straw, rolling papers, pipe, small tubes)
Best Rehab Options for Heroin Addicts
If you or a family member has an addiction to heroin, or any opioid for that matter, should seek assistance through rehab as soon as possible. The addictiveness and the dangers of these drugs make them especially difficult to quit on one’s own.
1st Step Behavioral Health has the tools, resources, and experience to help fight and end a heroin addiction safely and in a way that is far less likely to lead to relapse. Contact us for yourself or for a loved one to get started right away.
