Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health

Simcoe Addiction & Mental Health

Heroin Addiction Recovery in Ontario: Treatment & Support

Overview: Heroin Addiction Treatment in Ontario

Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health is here to help those looking for heroin treatment in Ontario. Our inpatient treatment facility is located just outside of Toronto (GTA), and for those unable to join us at our facility, we offer a virtual outpatient program for heroin addiction treatment in Ontario and across Canada.

Table of contents

What is Heroin?

Heroin is an opioid and an incredibly addictive drug that originates from the opium poppy. This plant naturally grows in South and Central America and some parts of Asia. This addictive drug has grown in popularity worldwide and remains one of the most dangerous substances on the market today.

Heroin can look like a white or brown powder, with some heroin also coming in a black, sticky, tar-like substance. 

Heroin Addiction Symptoms

Psychological and physical symptoms

  • Feelings of shame, guilt and depression
  • Hopelessness and despair
  • Impaired ability to concentrate or focus
  • Poor judgement
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Significant unintentional weight loss
  • Exhaustion and lethargy
  • Watery eyes and runny nose
  • Persistent flu-like symptoms
  • Bruising or scabbing of the skin

Behavioral symptoms

  • Needles of syringes when the user has no other medical conditions
  • Burned silver spoons
  • Plastic bags containing traces of white powder
  • Foil or gum wrappers with burn marks
  • Lying about whereabouts or reasons for borrowing money
  • Appearing to sleep more than usual
  • Withdrawing from friends and family
  • Lack of interest in personal hygiene
  • Worsening performance at work 

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Heroin Overdose

Overdose is one of the most deadly hazards associated with the use of opiate drugs, including heroin. Heroin’s effects can overwhelm a person’s system if used in sufficient quantities, resulting in opioid poisoning.

Risks

Due to the fact that heroin and other opioids affect regions of the brain that are crucial for regulating respiratory rate, excessive amounts of these narcotics can produce dangerously delayed breathing. In overdose scenarios, respiratory depression induced by opioids can proceed to complete respiratory arrest and death.

Toxicity

This risk of toxicity and overdose may rise when heroin or other opioids are combined with alcohol and benzodiazepines, among other substances.

In addition, because heroin is illicitly produced, its purity is constantly unpredictable. Manufacturers may cut or adulterate heroin with other chemicals, such as fentanyl, an even more potent opioid with respiratory depressant properties. As this form of illicit opioid mixture can be unpredictably potent, taking it poses a substantial risk to anyone who believes they are using heroin.

Is Heroin a Stimulant?

No, heroin is not a stimulant. Classified as a depressant, it inhibits the activity of the brain and spinal cord. Heroin exerts its effects through interacting with opioid receptors, which have a role in the regulation of pain, emotion, and stress.

Heroin’s potent intoxicating effects stem from its ability to bind to and stimulate these receptors, which in turn trigger feelings of extreme calm, pleasure, and contentment. As the brain comes to rely on the substance to restore a sense of normalcy after the first rush of pleasure, physical dependence and addiction may set in.

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Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Heroin is extremely addictive, with withdrawal symptoms appearing rapidly after cessation of use. While it may take a few days for these symptoms to manifest after consuming other substances, heroin withdrawal symptoms might manifest within a few hours. This period is considerably shorter for heroin addicts who have developed a high tolerance over time.

One may have symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, muscle soreness, chills, insomnia, and general urges if heroin usage is suddenly ceased. Due to the rapid onset of these symptoms, heroin detoxification is one of the most challenging processes. 

Heroin Detox: How Long Does It Take To Detox From Heroin

The length of time it takes to detox from heroin depends on several factors, including the severity of addiction, the length of time using, and individual physiological factors. Typically, heroin withdrawal symptoms can start within 6-12 hours after the last dose and peak within 1-3 days.

Inpatient Setting

Depending on the client’s option, detoxification from heroin might occur in an outpatient or inpatient setting. For severe instances, inpatient care that provides monitoring and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week offers the best chance of recovery.

Pharmacological Assistance

The majority of heroin detoxifications need pharmacological assistance. This approach employs conventional drugs, such as methadone, to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and provide a smooth transition away from heroin use.

Continuous Treatment

After an initial phase of detoxification, clients undertake continuous treatment. This may include therapies such as:

  • Attending therapy or a support group on a regular basis
  • Developing new support structures
  • Practicing healthy pastimes
  • Continuing drug treatment

Relapse Prevention

Therapy is frequently essential for assisting individuals in developing the coping mechanisms and techniques required to maintain sobriety.

Future prescriptions, particularly those in the opioid family, must be handled with caution if long-term recovery is to occur. Disclosing your addiction to your doctor will prevent him or her from prescribing you medication that could cause a relapse.


Take the First Step Towards Recovery

Heroin Addiction Treatment

Clients are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals at this stage. This is the first stage in developing what will be a unique treatment program. New admissions will be sent for detoxification if necessary. This part of the recovery process is designed so people can go through withdrawal in a safe medically controlled environment.

Counselling

Our one-on-one counselling sessions deal with underlying addiction issues. Substance abuse can be rooted in depression, anxiety and trauma. Uncovering these root causes increases a client’s chances of a lasting sustainable recovery.

Group Therapy

Group therapy and counseling sessions are also highly effective. These can include relapse prevention and teaching clients a variety of coping mechanisms. Our treatment program specializes in how to deal with stress and relaxation and mindfulness tools.

We also teach clients how to avoid the people and places that were previously connected with their addiction. Avoiding triggers for relapse is the number one priority.

Heroin Addiction Rehab Options

Inpatient Treatment

Most rehabilitation centres offer 12-step programs as part of their treatment options. These programs typically last 30 days or more and involve detoxification, medication treatment, therapy, and education. However, at Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health, we do not offer a 12-step program. Instead, we utilize an evidence-based treatment program that provides our clients with the best results.

Inpatient programs for drug addiction focus on individual and group therapy. An inpatient program is ideal for residents who need a safe and controlled environment. The average length of stay in an inpatient program is between 30 and 90 days.

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What to Look For When Picking A Rehab​

If you’re in the process of seeking a rehab center, there are a couple of details you’ll want to inquire about.

It is important for an addiction treatment center to offer a personalized approach that takes into account the unique needs and circumstances of each individual, and to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to heal and recover. An addiction treatment center should offer a comprehensive range of treatment options when treating heroin addiction, including:

  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Behavioral therapies: CBT, DBT, and MI
  • Contingency management
  • Holistic therapies
  • Aftercare support

Heroin Aftercare Treatment

One of the essential components of rehabilitation after being treated for heroinl addiction is the recovery process. At Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health, we can guarantee lifelong support to all of our graduates.

Conclusion

Heroin is a highly addictive and sometimes fatal substance. Extreme cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms including sweating, nausea, and vomiting are all possible for heroin users. Some of the symptoms of a heroin overdose include shallow breathing, excessive sleepiness, and even loss of consciousness.

Painkilling opioids like heroin are not stimulants. Heroin withdrawal is a medical emergency that requires medical attention. Detoxification is a crucial first step on the path to recovery from drug addiction. It is recommended that those seeking help for heroin addiction search for a centre that provides a variety of services, such as medication management, behavioural treatments, and continuing care. Maintaining sobriety and warding off relapse are both aided by receiving aftercare therapy. Seek assistance immediately if you or someone you care about has a heroin addiction.

Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health provides heroin addiction treatment in Ontario and across Canada. Our inpatient treatment centre is situated outside Toronto (GTA) Ontario, and we provide counselling for heroin addiction in person or online throughout Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions: Heroin

Yes, you can snort heroin. People sometimes snort heroin to get a faster and stronger high. When you snort heroin, it goes into your nose and down into your bloodstream. This is a dangerous and potentially deadly way of using heroin because it can easily lead to an overdose.

Heroin’s effects may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the dose, the user’s tolerance, and the route of administration. Between four and six hours is the typical duration of a heroin high. Even after the high from heroin has worn off, the user may continue to experience some of the drug’s unpleasant side effects.

Despite popular belief, Heroin is a depressant. Which means that it has the effect of slowing down the activity of the central nervous system. Heroin reduces the pace at which a person’s heart beats as well as their respiration, which may be exceedingly hazardous and result in an overdose.

Heroin’s odour is unmistakable, and some have compared it to the smell of vinegar or a damp basement. Even though the smell of heroin is notoriously foul, putting it into words may be challenging.

Heroin is a versatile substance that can be found in many different forms, each with its own distinct look. From a delicate white powder that resembles talcum to a rich, dark brown hue, it can also come in the form of black tar – a sticky, gooey substance that looks like black molasses. The more solid form of heroin is a rock-like chunk, which can be just as potent as the other forms. No matter its appearance, heroin is a powerful drug that must be approached with caution. The appearance of heroin is a reflection of its journey, from creation to consumption, and varies greatly based on the process and origin of production.

Heroin is very addictive because to its powerful effects on the body and brain. Heroin use causes exhilaration that may last for a number of hours. However, the risks associated with heroin usage are substantial, and they include the potential for addiction, overdose, and death.

Heroin is a potent opioid that is often used in the treatment of pain owing to the analgesic effects that it has. However, if it is not taken in the correct manner, it quickly transforms into a highly addictive and hazardous substance that has the potential to have adverse effects on both the body and the mind. The narcotic effects of heroin should never, under any circumstances, be taken lightly since doing so puts users at risk of developing an addiction to the substance and, as a consequence, even dying as a direct result of their heroin usage.

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