Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use

Europe is one of the world’s key opiate consumption markets. Heroin trafficking channels for Europe have long been established from Afghanistan. The drug either reaches Europe through the traditional Balkan route, or a more recent northern route that passes through Russia. Among European countries, leaders in opiate consumption are the Russian Federation, the UK, Italy, France and Germany. 

While few countries show increases, this is little consolation to the person who has lost his (or her) sobriety to this drug. Of all the drugs, heroin is one that causes more deterioration to social standing than most other drugs. There are widespread attempts to alleviate the damage caused by heroin by instituting “harm reduction” programs – in other words, providing clean needles, methadone, buprenorphine or pharmaceutical heroin, all in an attempt to reduce the damage of the addiction. 

When these signs or symptoms of heroin abuse are seen, you know that what you need is a drug rehab program that can result in sobriety, not just harm reduction:

  • Euphoria
  • Dry mouth
  • Flush
  • Sleepiness, doping off
  • Constricted pupils
  • Slow breathing and heart rate
  • Itching, especially around the nose
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Lowered immunity to illness or infection
  • Neglect of own needs such as cleanliness and nourishment.

Other Signs of Heroin Addiction

A heroin addict who is injecting the drug may try to cover up the parts of the body where he has been injecting. Heroin abusers very often begin to live marginal lives, becoming unemployed and homeless. They are likely to associate with other heroin addicts. A heroin addict may become haggard after prolonged use. 

What Can Be Done about Heroin Addiction?

It is not necessary to believe that harm reduction is all that can be done for a heroin addict. It’s easy to see that a person who failed over and over to eliminate a heroin addiction would think that this is all that could be done. 

But in its forty-five year history, the Narconon drug rehabilitation program has had great success in restoring sobriety to heroin addicts. This long-term program is available in centers across the European continent.

A phone call to the regional office for Narconon in Europe can tell you all you need to know to choose this rehab for someone you love who is addicted to heroin. Contact us for more information.


RESOURCES:


NARCONON EUROPE

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION