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Why Is Heroin Addiction So Hard To Treat?

Heroin addiction is an incredibly difficult problem to treat. People who struggle with it often have a long history of trauma and other mental health issues, making the recovery process even more complicated. The physical and psychological damage caused by heroin use can be so severe that even after a successful treatment program, relapses can occur. In order to have a successful treatment plan for heroin addiction, it is crucial to understand the individual’s unique situation and address the underlying causes of their addiction.

If you or someone you love requires heroin addiction treatment in Tennessee, consider Promises. The heroin rehab center and heroin detox center at Promises Behavioral Health, located in Brentwood, TN, can help you reclaim your life from heroin addiction. Call 844.875.5609 today to learn how we can help.

Understanding the Severity of Heroin Addiction and Why It’s Hard to Treat

Heroin addiction is a serious condition that can be extremely difficult to treat. The drug produces a potent high and, in turn, creates an intense psychological dependence on it. As the body develops a tolerance for heroin, more of the drug is needed to produce similar effects as before. This leads to physical dependence and further addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe if someone attempts to stop using without medical supervision or support.

In addition to the physical side effects of withdrawal, people with heroin addiction face many other challenges in their recovery process. Many are dealing with underlying mental health issues such as depression or anxiety which can make it difficult to stay motivated during treatment or even avoid relapse after completing treatment programs. Additionally, social pressures from family and friends can add an extra layer of difficulty to the recovery process.

Overall, heroin addiction is a complicated condition that requires understanding and support from friends, family, and professionals in order to provide the best possible chances for successful treatment and long-term recovery. Treatment programs must be tailored to each individual’s needs in order to maximize effectiveness, and a strong support system is essential for maintaining sobriety over time. With the right help and dedication, anyone struggling with heroin addiction can reach their goal of becoming free from substance abuse.

Common Obstacles to Sobriety 

Heroin addiction can be difficult to treat, even professionally, so it’s no surprise that individuals who try to stop heroin use on their own tend to relapse. Sometimes it can even take multiple commitments to treatment and rehab to break the cycle for good. Common obstacles that contribute to the difficulty of ending heroin addiction and achieving sobriety include:

  • Daunting withdrawal symptoms: When a heroin user attempts to stop using cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms can range from uncomfortable and unpleasant to dangerous and severe. Vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, bone and muscle pain, restlessness, cold flashes, and overwhelming cravings for the drug will plague users trying to escape from their habit, undermining their resolve and sabotaging their campaign for sobriety before it has the chance to take hold.
  • Belief in the myth of willpower: Overcoming drug addiction is not simply a matter of willpower. It will play a role in recovery, but heroin addiction is a life-altering brain disease, and holding it at bay is extraordinarily difficult. The brain must be retrained and reprogrammed over time if addiction is to be defeated, and self-denial alone will not be enough to make that happen.
  • A failure to understand that recovery is a long-term process: A 30-day stint in a rehabilitation center is only the first step on the road to long-term sobriety. The initial stages of recovery will require weeks of detoxification followed by years of consistent follow-up therapy and peer group interaction. In the case of heroin, medication may also be used.
  • Unrealistic expectations about the risk of relapse: Relapse is generally seen as a sign that treatment has failed, but this is incorrect. With drug addiction, relapse is common and even expected. But thankfully, as recovery progresses, heroin users usually have an easier time bouncing back after falling off the wagon. In the battle against heroin, relapses happen, and no one who struggles should feel overly discouraged or depressed.
  • Underlying psychological problems are too often neglected: In most cases, drug abuse is a coping mechanism for people with severe and unaddressed psychological/emotional issues. Heroin addiction is such a serious threat, however, that getting through detox and finding sobriety must take precedence for all users regardless of their backgrounds and personal histories. Consequently, deep, underlying problems may not be dealt with as quickly, proactively, and openly as they should be, allowing them to lurk in the shadows where they can easily affect the recovery process.
  • Returning to the scene of the crime: When they go back home following a stint in rehab, heroin individuals often fall back in with the same old crowd. Addiction always develops in a (dysfunctional) social context. When recovering users return to their old lives, it can be difficult to avoid the triggers that helped spawn their heroin dependency in the first place. In some cases, they may even continue to see the same friends they were using drugs with when they finally hit rock bottom. Needless to say, old habits can reassert themselves pretty quickly when one fails to make a clean break from the past.
  • The motivation to change does not match the intensity of the addiction: Powerful compulsions to use accompany every addiction, and since the individual’s need for the drug can only be satisfied in one way, the motivation to keep getting high stays strong. On the other hand, they must continually swim upstream to get sober since not using drugs goes against the grain of their corrupted instincts. If succumbing to addiction is the easiest choice, resisting it is the hardest, and for sobriety to become permanent, the right decision must be made over and over again, day after day.

There is no shame in admitting you need help. In fact, professional treatment–with heroin detoxification being the first step–is the best and safest way to begin breaking the cycle of addiction.

The Importance of Getting Professional Help for Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction is a serious and dangerous condition that can have devastating consequences, both physical and mental. The most important step in the recovery process for heroin addicts is to seek professional help and treatment. Professional treatment offers many benefits for those struggling with heroin addiction, such as providing medically supervised detoxification, therapy tailored to individual needs, support groups, medication management, and ongoing aftercare services. Treatment also helps individuals learn how to cope with triggers and stressors that may lead them back into using heroin. With proper care and guidance, people who suffer from heroin addiction can work toward achieving long-term sobriety and leading healthy lives.

Seeking professional help is necessary to ensure one’s safety during withdrawal from this powerful drug and make a full recovery possible. It is important to remember that seeking help does not mean failure; it means taking the necessary steps toward reclaiming your life from addiction. Treatment and rehab centers provide a safe and secure environment where individuals can focus on their recovery without fear of relapse or other distractions. With the right treatment, those struggling with heroin addiction can learn how to manage their triggers, make healthier lifestyle choices, and gain the skills needed to live an independent life free from drugs. Professional help is essential for a successful recovery from heroin addiction and regaining control over one’s life.

Heroin addiction does not have to be a life sentence; with the right treatment and support, those suffering from this powerful drug can reclaim their lives and live happier, healthier lives free from drugs. Seeking professional help is the first step towards regaining control over your life and beginning the recovery journey from heroin addiction.

Learn More About Heroin Detox and Rehab at Promises 

Heroin addiction can have a devastating impact on every aspect of your life, from relationships to employment and everything in between. That’s why it’s so important to seek professional help if you’re struggling with an addiction to heroin. Promises Behavioral Health offers comprehensive detox and rehab services to help you overcome your heroin addiction and start living a healthier, more fulfilled life. To learn how we could help you, call us at 844.875.5609 or fill out our online contact form.

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