The opioid epidemic covers a lot of different drugs, including heroin. Heroin induces a euphoric feeling when injected, snorted, or smoked. Like other opioids, a person runs a very high risk of overdosing the longer they use. Recognizing the physical signs of 
heroin use gives you a better chance of helping someone before that happens.
Track Marks
Track marks are probably the most widely talked about of the physical signs of heroin use. You typically see them at a person’s elbows, but they can also turn up on the legs or feet. In most cases, it’s either a row of scars from old injections or irritated injection sites from recent use.
Infections
Regular heroin users will often inject the heroin with any needle they can find at whatever place is most convenient. That makes it’s much more likely they’ll contract HIV/AIDS or a run of the mill infection from other contaminants. Long terms users often suffer abscesses at the injection site that should get treated by a medical pro.
Weight Loss
Another one of the physical signs of heroin use you’ll see is serious weight loss. The euphoria from heroin hides body signals like hunger. That means many heroin users eat infrequently.
Runny Nose
A less reliable symptom you often see among heroin users is a runny nose. Since everything from colds to allergies can trigger a runny nose, you should consider a secondary symptom.
Drowsiness Cycle
A strange cycle of drowsiness and alertness also serves as one of the physical signs of heroin use. After a person takes heroin, they show serious drowsiness for hours. This transitions into a high level of alertness when the heroin wears off.
Seeking Treatment for Signs of Heroin Use
With so many risks associated with heroin use, the faster someone enters treatment the better their odds of avoiding the worst outcomes. Most people seek treatment in a rehab program. Rehab centers strongly recommend inpatient programs at partner facilities for heroin users because of the higher success rate.
Rehab programs can use multiple therapies to help a person work through the initial steps of recovery. Some of the more widely used rehab therapies include:
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral
- TherapyTrauma Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- 12-Step Facilitation
BoardPrep Recovery Center®
BoardPrep Recovery Center® is a heroin addiction treatment center in Tampa, Fl. We strive to create a personalized treatment program while maintaining a superior level of care.
If you struggle with heroin use, you can still change your story. With help from a rehab center that offers heroin addiction treatment, you can get your recovery started. Call BoardPrep at 866.796.4720 and find out if our treatment program is the right answer for you.
