People from all walks of life use heroin every day. Unfortunately, the United States is in an opioid crisis, including heroin distribution, use, and overdose. While studies show that regular heroin users tend to be in their 30s or older, teens frequently experiment with illicit drugs, including heroin. Like other opiates and opioids, heroin is incredibly difficult to stop taking without drug abuse treatment.
If your son or a teenage boy in your life needs drug abuse treatment for heroin or other drugs, call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today. Our holistic programs help adolescent boys struggling with addiction and mental health disorders in North Carolina. Call 866.300.5275 to learn more about our holistic drug abuse treatment programs.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an illicit street drug derived from opium. Initially developed in the 1800s from the opium poppy, heroin was used in hospitals. Today, however, other opioids have taken their place medicinally and remain legal under prescriptions like Vicodin and OxyContin. Unfortunately, all opioids and opiates are addictive and incredibly difficult to stop taking without professional help. Heroin is also semi-synthetic, meaning it can be hard to know what drug makers combine with heroin, making it more dangerous.
When heroin enters the bloodstream, it immediately blocks pain receptors in the brain. It also releases a rush of dopamine, causing a euphoric feeling. This combination of effects can make heroin highly addictive. Someone can build up a tolerance to opioids quickly, so the more often they take heroin, the more heroin they will need to achieve the same effect.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use in Teens
If you’re worried your son is using heroin, you’re not alone. Because of its painkilling and euphoric effects, heroin is a popular choice for those that want to self-medicate for emotional, physical, and psychological pain. It allows teens to check out or disassociate from complicated feelings, stress, and social problems. Heroin is most often smoked or injected. Signs of heroin use include:
- Mood swings and erratic behavior
- Disturbed sleep
- Profuse sweating
- Track marks from injection
- Changes in grades and social habits
- New friend groups
- Changes in eating habits
Heroin changes a person’s brain. When someone stops using heroin cold turkey, they will experience dope sickness, which is similar to the symptoms of an intense flu. This withdrawal can cause delusions, self-harm, and reckless behavior. The safest way to detox and recover from heroin is with a drug abuse treatment program. Attempting to stop using heroin or other opioids at home often leads to relapse and overdose.
Start Holistic Heroin Treatment for Your Teen Today in North Carolina
If your son is showing signs of heroin use, they may be using heroin as a form of self-soothing for deeper wounds. A dual diagnosis treatment program can help. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, adolescent boys learn how to build resilience, disconnect from social pressures, and heal. Our programs for teenage boys focus on holistic and evidence-based therapies for transformational healing. We use dual diagnosis treatment to help uncover, treat, and manage co-occurring disorders alongside substance abuse, process addiction, and disordered eating.
Clients at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery love our equine-assisted therapy and wilderness therapy programs, as well as our robust family therapy program. We know that reconnecting with loved ones, improving communication, and treating addiction and mental health together can help adolescent boys thrive.
Call Now to Start Heroin Treatment for Teenage Boys at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
Don’t let heroin or other opioids control your son’s life. Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery today at 866.300.5275 to learn about the benefits of drug abuse treatment at our adolescent addiction treatment program now.
