When looking at heroin addiction and withdrawal, you can distinguish between mental and physical dependence.
We speak of physical dependence when the body protests against stopping heroin use, which leads to heroin withdrawal.
Compared to other drugs, addiction and withdrawal occur rather quickly when it comes to heroin.
The physical dependence on heroin is very fast in heroin addiction.
The increased use is facilitated by a physical phenomenon: heroin tolerance. This means that the body gets used to heroin quickly. You soon need more heroin to get the same effect. The following heroin withdrawal symptoms occur when the user stops. They feel sick, start sweating, get cold and clammy; have goosebumps, a runny nose, abdominal cramps and pain in the arms and legs. Also, they may suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea. These symptoms disappear once the addict uses heroin again.
Mental dependence implies that an addict simply doesn’t feel happy without using heroin. Heroin causes severe mental dependency. It numbs everything, both physical and mental pain. This makes people with serious problems (homelessness, unemployment, abuse etc.) more receptive to heroin. But they aren’t the only ones at risk.
Therefore, heroin addiction and withdrawal isn’t something to take lightly.
Houghton House drug rehabilitation and professional intervention services are based in Johannesburg. The treatment centres that form the group are specialised in heroin addiction problems and have been helping addicts to end their addictions for the past 15 years.
The amazingly high recovery rates and exclusive treatment centres have attracted people from around the world.
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