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Click here to read "Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Pain," by Dr. James Gagne, an internist at The Canyon. The article was published in Marin Medicine Magazine. (This link is provided solely for educational purposes.)

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How Heroin Becomes So Addictive

Heroin, a drug that is extremely addictive, is rapidly becoming one of the most abused opiates in the world. It can come in a variety of forms, from a white/brown powder to a sticky black tar, and is often combined (or "cut") with other ingredients to increase the profitability of its sale. Some of these substances are benign, such as sugar or starch, but others pose a serious health risk, such as quinine or strychnine. Users who purchase heroin off of the street never know the purity of the drug they are buying, and can be at risk of serious injury or even death by taking the drug. Even if the drug they are buying is pure, heroin on its own is very dangerous to its users, and can cause serious short-term and long-term damage.

The Canyon, a drug and alcohol rehab center, provides patients with world-class treatments and therapies designed to help them break free of their addiction and achieve permanent abstinence from addictive substances.

Heroin Addiction: Initial Effects on the Brain and Nervous System

Heroin can take effect on a person within a few minutes and after the initial dose is taken, the user will feel sleepy for up to several hours. During this time, the user's mental functions are clouded due to the heroin acting upon their central nervous system. Additionally, breathing will slow, and can even slow to the point of death if it is administered in an overdose level or it has poisons or other chemicals in it.

Heroin Addiction: Physical Dependence Begins

As the user takes the drug repeatedly, they begin to need higher and higher doses in order to achieve the same level of pleasure that they experienced the first time. This is due to the body adapting and becoming tolerant of the drug in the system. Withdrawal symptoms will appear of the use of the drug is abruptly stopped, or if it is not taken in time. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and include drowsiness, dizziness, bone pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and involuntary muscle movements. These symptoms will top out around one to two days after the last dose of heroin was taken and can last for around one week. Some people can continue to have symptoms, however, and some have had them for several months after they cease taking the drug. Although the withdrawal symptoms have never been fatal to adult users, they can kill an unborn child if the mother is taking heroin during her pregnancy.

Heroin Addiction: More Than Just Physical Tolerance and Withdrawal Symptoms

Heroin can affect users in more ways than just providing a rush of pleasure and euphoric sensations. It can also help relieve pain, and sufferers of chronic pain frequently take heroin or other opiates in order to help deal with their pain. When heroin was first studied, it was thought that its withdrawal symptoms were one of the key attributes of heroin addiction. However, in light of the fact that it helps relieve pain - as well as the fact that symptoms can surface weeks and months after ceasing use - it is now believed that there are other reasons people become addicted to the drug. Pain relief may be one of those reasons.

Heroin Rehab at The Canyon

The Canyon's Healing Life Program provides you with a chance to break your addiction to heroin and the opportunity to reclaim your personal goals and dreams. With the help of The Canyon, you will be able to break your addiction to heroin and reclaim your life.

Articles on Heroin Rehab

• Nicknames and Street Names for Heroin
• Heroin Addiction Treatment
• Heroin Rehabilitation Programs
• Heroin Overview
• Withdrawal from Heroin
• Heroin Rehab Medications
• Heroin Rehab and Detox
• Heroin Rehab and Teens
• Heroin Rehab and Recovery: What to Expect
• How Heroin Becomes So Addictive
• California Heroin Rehab
• Heroin Rehab Costs
• The UK's Controversial Heroin Treatment Program