Both work, and they differ in philosophy. An even-handed comparison of A.A. and SMART Recovery on structure, evidence, spirituality and cost.
Continue readingSMART Recovery vs. A.A.: Which Approach Fits You?
Find the Best Group Therapy for Drug Addiction Today
When you picture what rehab is like in your mind, what do you see?
Maybe an addict lying on a couch with a therapist listening and asking questions? Perhaps a group of people sitting in a small circle of chairs together and talking?
Pretty stereotypical scenes and also not far off.
Individual and group therapy for drug addiction are both hallmarks of the process for a reason. In a moment we’ll get into why group therapy, in particular, is so important.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
But first, what does addiction look like?
A substance use disorder isn’t something that manifests and takes hold overnight. There are common signs and symptoms along the way that begin to paint the picture early.
Generally speaking, here’s what you should be looking out for:
- Using more than prescribed or intended or taking drugs longer
- Can’t stop or cut back even though an effort is being made
- Spending considerable time getting, using, and recovering from drugs
- Intense cravings
- Work, school, and family obligations aren’t being met
- Using despite the obvious problems it’s causing to personal relationships
- Finding yourself in increasingly more dangerous situations
- Developing a tolerance and needing to take larger doses for the same effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Mood swings and irritability
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Shift in weight
Of course, different drugs have differing signs of addiction but the above can usually be seen across the board.
How Group Therapy for Drug Addiction Will Help You Recover
Now that you know what addiction can look like, what’s the added benefit of group therapy to your recovery journey.
Knowing you aren’t alone
Drug use and addiction are incredibly isolating. You might use in a group but once you stop, those people disappear and your addiction may have alienated your close family and friends. Loneliness and depression can set in. Group therapy shows you that you’re not alone and that others have gone through the same.
Support system
Because you’re in the company of people who’ve been there, you have a unique support system of people who really can support you from a place of genuine understanding. It’s easy for anyone to say “I get it” but those words mean a lot more when they come from someone who’s walked in your shoes.
Develop skills learned in counseling
In individual therapy, you work on several things en route to a sober life. One of those is coping mechanisms. In group therapy, you can talk those through and sharpen your understanding. Also, addiction isn’t known for working wonders on your communications skills, being in group setting forces you to hone those people skills.
Build community
Naturally, once you finish your rehab program, you shouldn’t go directly back to the same group of friends you hung out with before who continue to do drugs. You don’t want to let temptation get the best of you or find yourself in a triggering situation that leads to a relapse. In group therapy, you can build a new community of friends and acquaintances that you can stay connected with long after the therapy ends. Having those types of people in your life helps with accountability too.
Inspirational environment
Among the best aspects of group therapy is that you’ll likely find yourself in a group where people are at different points of their recovery. Those that are farther along than you can serve as an inspiration for you to strive towards. Likewise, you can be that for someone else.
There are plenty of other reasons why group therapy is often considered an integral part of the recovery process, we surely think so here at Inneractions. If you’d like to learn more about our group session, give us a shout.
What Is Codependency in a Relationship With an Addict?
Relationships can be tough to begin with and tossing addiction into the mix certainly doesn’t make things any easier. Particularly if there’s a codependent dynamic at work in the relationship already.
But exactly is codependency?
James Madison University describes it as “becoming so invested with each other that you can’t function independently. It typically plays out as one person being more passive, lacking confidence, depending on being taken care of, and often having difficulties making decisions. The other person in the relationship is more dominant, controlling, takes charge, and gets some satisfaction from making decisions and taking care of the other person.”
To put it more simply, it’s an imbalanced relationship where one person gives more than they get so to speak and the other is left feeling vulnerable or helpless without their partner.
That’s what a codependent relationship might look like, what is it in terms of someone with a substance use disorder though.
What Is Codependency in a Relationship With an Addict?
The big takeaway word for what codependency is in a relationship with an addict is “enabling”.
It’s not something that’s necessarily intentionally done either. If your partner is a drug addict or alcoholic you may begin to feel like you can save them through your care. What that looks like in practice is different for everyone but can be as basic as:
- Making excuses for their behavior
- Lending money
- Rationalizing their overuse and justifying their behavior
- Feeling responsible for their issues
- Taking on their responsibilities
- Lying to protect them from consequences
All of these enabling behaviors and actions may come from a place of love but are incredibly damaging in the long run in a couple of meaningful ways.
First, if you obfuscate the addiction of your significant other and essentially continue to remain in denial about it, it only cements their substance use disorder further which makes subsequent treatment more arduous and puts additional strain on the relationship.
Secondly, it’s damaging to you as well in a number of ways. Carrying the burden of trying to “save” someone is exhausting and unhealthy. Being overly invested in their issues leaves less time for your own life, which only gets worse with time.
Codependency and addiction are among the worst bedfellows. One is fuel for the other in a sense and as a person falls further into addiction, the partner essentially becomes addicted to the relationship and taking care of the other.
How to End a Codependent Relationship While Still Supporting Your Loved One
Codependency isn’t being supportive. Codependency is unhealthy. Of course, this is unsustainable and something eventually has to give.
That said, ending a codependent relationship doesn’t mean giving up on your loved one. In fact, it can be a way of supporting them more fully and for real.
The main thing is to recognize the situation for what is. Be honest with yourself and them and work to understand the true nature of the relationship.
Have a genuinely honest conversation about the negative and painful aspects of this codependency and stop the enabling behavior.
Allow yourself the space to heal. Work on changing how you think and not wrapping up how you feel about their addiction.
Create boundaries and stick to them.
This doesn’t mean you don’t care about your loved one, it means you want the best for both of you and to get that requires changing the nature of the relationship.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, consider the benefits of counseling. At Inneractions, we have bi-weekly group meetings focused fully on codependency where you can learn how to build a healthier relationship. Get in touch with us to learn more.
Why You Should Go To Intensive Outpatient in Los Angeles
We all have different experiences in life that lead us to where we are, and that is also true for the road to addiction. Although many of the behaviors and symptoms overlap, addiction is very individual to each person. One person’s journey may be completely different from someone else’s, and it is no different when it comes to rehab. Depending on your level of addiction, the substance you are addicted to, and your support system at home, the rehab you require will be different.
What Is Intensive Outpatient Rehab?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are treatment programs used to address addictions, depression, eating disorders, and any dependency that does not require detoxification or 24-hour medical supervision. Outpatient care consists of different types of programs where the patient visits a treatment center or counselor on certain days of the week. Intensive outpatient rehab still involves daily treatment, however those opting for outpatient rehabilitation do not live in the facility throughout the course of the treatment. People who choose outpatient rehab are able to live at home and continue their schooling or professions, and the level of support may be a little less intensive as compared to an inpatient treatment program.
Intensive outpatient treatment is typically recommended to patients who are experiencing less severe addictions, have strong support systems at home, or for those who cannot leave their obligations to work or school behind. It is also used as complementary treatment for after inpatient rehab. Sometimes, students or professionals might feel more stressed out from getting left behind from their work, and outpatient rehab will serve as a less stress inducing option.
Outpatient rehab allows patients to stay at home and receive treatment during the day, there is more flexibility and it may be more affordable, however there is a lower rate of success for recovery when struggling with a more serious addiction. When deciding between inpatient treatment and outpatient rehab one must truly evaluate how serious their addiction is and choose the option that makes most sense for them and their livelihood moving forward. If the addiction is less severe and the outside factors of everyday life are not causing stress, it may make sense to opt for outpatient rehab.
The Benefits of Going To Intensive Outpatient in Los Angeles
Intensive outpatient treatment is ideal for candidates who prefer to stay home throughout treatment or those who have already completed inpatient treatment. Sometimes, being surrounded by loved ones offers a level of comfort that an intensive inpatient program cannot offer. Those with solid support systems at home may opt for outpatient rehab to stay close to their loved ones throughout treatment.
Additionally, IOPs are great for people who do not have the ability to leave all of their responsibilities behind. Whether it be school or work, taking care of children, or household obligations, intensive outpatient is the more flexible option.
Lastly, intensive outpatient care tends to be less expensive than inpatient treatment programs. Inpatient rehab requires overnight stay and 24-hour medical supervision, and as a result, it tends to be more expensive.
Attending outpatient care in Los Angeles, California is an incredible way to recover from an addiction. Los Angeles is home to beautiful weather, beaches, and relaxing activities that can serve as a contributing factor to your recovery. If you live in Los Angeles, there are many facilities that offer intensive outpatient programs that will guide you on your road to recovery.
Everyone deserves the best opportunity to recover from their addictions, and through intensive outpatient care in Los Angeles, you will receive quality treatment from expert therapists, psychologists, and clinicians who will provide you with the best quality care.
Through intensive outpatient care, you can discover and understand the underlying causes of your addiction, and use the tools and resources needed to live a sober, fulfilled and addiction-free life. Contact the team today at Inneractions to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one recover from addiction.
Tips on Getting a Job After Rehab
Part of the rehabilitation process after undergoing recovery is transitioning back into your everyday life. Rehab programs typically last for a couple of months. Once you are reaching the end of your stay, you should start preparing to re-enter the real world, and thus begin preparing to re-enter the workforce. Getting a job is an essential next step following rehab, and there are plenty of aftercare programs that help with the process.
Why It’s Important To Get a Job After Rehab
Before entering rehab, it is typically a time where you are struggling with an addiction that prevents you from earning a living or carrying out tasks that are essential to work. Whether or not you had a job before rehab is not important. What is important is that following rehab, it is important to occupy your time with things that allow you to make positive contributions to society.
One of the best ways to keep yourself occupied, out of trouble, and away from temptation is by going to work. Some of the main reasons why it is important to find a job after rehab are as follows.
Sense of Purpose
Most people, whether struggling from addiction or not, seek purpose and meaning out of life. Having a job allows you to feel like you have a sense of purpose and feel like you are making an impact and accomplishing tasks. Work can be difficult, but it can also be extremely fulfilling.
Routine
Along with keeping you busy, jobs also offer you a daily routine. Whether it be getting up at a certain time in the morning, taking a mode of transportation, or getting lunch at a certain time, having a schedule and a routine can provide you with a healthy sense of structure for you day-to-day life.
Connect with People
Although your coworkers may not be your best friends, interacting with people everyday is an added layer of support that you might need throughout your day.
Financial Benefits
There is a sense of responsibility that comes with a job, and that responsibility comes with an income. Making your own money can allow for you to live your life more freely and not have to rely on anyone else for you to be able to buy groceries or enjoy yourself. Having a set of finances that are your own is an incredibly freeing feeling.
Tips on Getting a Job After Rehab
Many people who exit rehab have the same task of going out and finding work. Diving into the job market can feel intimidating at first, however there are many tips and programs that help with advising people on getting work post-rehab.
Getting a job after rehab requires having clear and reasonable expectations, along with patience and drive. There are millions of Americans who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, attend rehab, and go into the workforce. So many people have gone on to lead successful lives and prosperous careers after rehab. It is important to not let recovery get in the way of your professional goals and aspirations in life.
Another tip would be to turn to resources. This can be anything to self-help books, YouTube videos, reading articles, reaching out to your peers to seek advice for someone in your position, and working with recruiters to help you find jobs that you are interested in.
Chances are, recruiters or people you know either know of resources to share with you that might help, or have been in a similar position and can offer their guidance as you start on your job search.
Another helpful tip is to not get scared off by rejection. Rejection is extremely common when applying to jobs, and it is important to not take it personally if you don’t get the job you wanted. If you don’t get the job, simply pick your head up, and try again elsewhere. Always ask for feedback as to why you weren’t chosen for the position, and use that feedback for your next interview.
How Inneractions Helps You Get a Job After Rehab
Inneractions is an intensive outpatient rehab facility located in Woodland Hills, CA. As one of our aftercare programs, we offer our patients career counseling as they prepare to re-enter their everyday lives. We find that work is an essential element of living your life more freely and purposefully, and we therefore place a heavy emphasis on getting our patients back into the workforce. Please visit Inneractions today for more information on our amazing career counseling program.
The Benefits of Going to a 90 Day Rehab
The first step to overcoming a drug addiction is admitting that you have a problem, and from there, rehab is available for you. Although all forms and durations of drug abuse treatment have been proven to be highly beneficial, 90-day rehab is the recommended minimum duration from which to attend rehab to achieve a meaningful, long-lasting recovery.
What Is 90-Day Rehab?
A 90-day drug rehab is a substance abuse rehabilitation program that lasts for the duration of 90 days, or three months. Substance use disorder is a disease characterized by the consumption of harmful substances, despite the negative implications it has on your health, and it causes a chemical alteration in the composition of your brain. Addiction to harmful substances will cause you to have no control over your actions, making recovery difficult, but possible.
During a 90-day treatment program, it is likely that you may need to undergo a medically assisted detox that requires you to stop taking the drug that you are addicted to under the watchful eye of a medical professional. After you no longer have a physical dependence to the drug, there are many different therapies and programs that you can undergo to help change your mindset, and offer you insight into the ‘why’ behind your addiction.
Some of the therapies offered at 90-day rehabilitation programs offer education, insight, compassion, and everyday tools to help you process your disorder, and establish healthy, sober lifestyles free from the destruction of addictive behavior.
What Are the Benefits of Going to a 90-Day Rehab?
The idea that 90 days should be the minimum required duration of time for one seeking recovery from an addiction is due to the time both your body and brain need to heal, and to run a lesser risk of relapse. They say that it takes at least 30 days to form a habit, and that goes for habits that do not have life-threatening implications on the functionality of your brain.
With 90-day rehab, drug centers are able to take the time to personalize your treatment so that it is effective for you. Undergoing evaluations and seeing a therapist will allow the 90-day center to have insight into your condition and how you heal. Addiction recovery should be individualized based on each client’s specific needs because no two addiction experiences are the same, therefore no two rehabilitation programs should be the same.
90-day outpatient rehab programs will allow for you to live at home, or in sober living, while you attend treatment during the day. This offers clients more flexibility and an easier transition back into normal life upon the completion of rehab.
Who Should Go to a 90-Day Rehab?
In choosing to attend a 90-day rehabilitation program, you are choosing to help yourself recover from substance use disorder, mental health disorders, or both. If you are someone who is struggling from a serious addiction or mental disorder that is interfering with you going out and living your life, it is encouraged that you look into a 90-day rehab to reset your mind and change the way you live your life.
Some of the signs that you are experiencing an addiction or mental health problem include not being able to cut down on drinking or using drugs, continuing to drink or do drugs even though it is causing health problems, skipping out on your favorite activities to engage in drinking or drugs, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using, not attending work or school, then you should consider attending a 90-day rehab.
Reach Out to the Team at Inneractions Today
90-day rehabs offer you the ability to focus solely on your recovery without much distraction from the outside world. The 90 days will also offer you the time you require to master some of the skills of recovery that you can take with you for the remainder of your life. A 90-day rehab program also offers you the chance to recognize and change poor habits. Inneractions is a 90-day intensive outpatient rehab for those suffering from addiction and their families to recover in a discreet and professional setting. Come visit our facility in Woodland Hills, CA to recover today.
Why You Should Go to Sober Living in Encino
Recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) doesn’t stop when rehab ends.
Whether you’re coming from an inpatient setting or outpatient care, there’s going to come a point at which you’ll have to meld back into your daily life.
Understandably, an abrupt shift from the 24/7 care of inpatient rehab to the regular hustle and bustle of life outside can be incredibly difficult to manage.
In inpatient rehab, for example, you had a regimented schedule and very much had triggers and distractions removed so you could truly put all your energy into recovery.
Even with outpatient care, even though you didn’t live in a facility 24/7, you had regular touchpoints with addiction specialists in both group and individual therapy sessions. Something of a safe space to shelter from the difficulties you might’ve found in your regular days.
There has to be a way to transition, no?
That’s where sober living comes in.
What Is Sober Living?
A sober living home functions more or less as a bridge between your dedicated treatment program and the “real world”.
You’ll sometimes even see them referred to as “transitional housing” or “halfway homes” for that very reason.
The basics of taking up residence at a sober living home are that you’re in a place that’s free of drugs and alcohol where you’ll be able to put into practice and further develop the coping mechanisms you learned while in rehab.
You’ll also generally be required to participate in some type of support group.
Why Is Sober Living an Important Part of Addiction Recovery?
Recovery is all about small wins that turn into larger ones over time. It’s about cementing positive habits and routines that make maintaining your hard-fought sobriety more manageable.
Look at it this way, it’s much more difficult to get used to a sudden change than it is to slowly adjust and then reinforce those adjustments through guidance and repetition. Sober living gives you a comfortable place to do that.
Some other key reasons sober living is an important part of the process are these:
Sober Connections
Loneliness is part of addiction and it can linger after you’ve stopped using as well. Living in a home with others who have gone through the same thing allows you to build meaningful friendships and a whole sober network.
There’s tremendous value in being surrounded by people who understand you on a deep level and those relationships help immeasurably.
Supportive Environment
Being surrounded by sober people and those working towards the same overarching goal naturally creates a supportive environment. That’s further bolstered by the fact that you’ll be participating in some type of support group, often a 12-step program.
This introduces accountability and even more camaraderie with like-minded people.
Restoring Independence
A critical component of sober living is getting your independence back.
While there are rules at sober living homes, you’re largely free to do as you please. You can go to and from work and do all the things that come with day-to-day life while having the safety net of a supportive home which helps in re-establishing your independence.
Lower the Risk of Relapse
Taken together, all these things are meant to lower the risk of a return to drugs and/or alcohol. If you’re surrounded by people who care about their sobriety journey, it’ll help you with yours, and the support you give one another coupled with group work means the risk of relapse diminishes greatly.
Why You Should Go to Sober Living in Encino
Sober living in Encino at Inneractions in the San Fernando Valley offers all of the above and more in a luxurious Southern California setting.
To learn more about The ISLE, or the Inneractions Sober Living Environment, you can read here.
How to Learn Coping Skills for Drug Addiction
Recovery is a process.
Or, recovery is a journey, not a destination.
You may have come across lines like these when looking into rehab options for yourself or a loved one. Perhaps you even scoffed at them, feeling like you were reading trite cliches or platitudes.
Thing is though, recovery is a journey. Why? Well, let’s look to a definition of drug addiction from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to add some color here:
“Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs”
Because addiction is thought of as a brain disorder and not as a purely physical concept, it’s something you constantly work on and nurture. Moreover, if you stop working on it, a relapse is possible at any point.
Learning coping skills for drug addiction, therefore, becomes imperative to staying on the path of sobriety.
Signs & Symptoms of Drug Addiction
Addiction to drugs manifests itself in several ways that tend to compound the longer a substance use disorder lasts.
- Intense cravings
- Trying to quit but unable to
- Developing a tolerance and thus having to take larger and larger doses
- Shifting friend groups
- Secretive behavior
- Financial issues related to purchasing drugs
- Legal issues, i.e., theft, from getting the money to buy drugs
- Work, school and home life are all suffering
- Engaging in riskier behaviors like driving under the influence
- Spending a lot of time either getting, using or recovering from drugs
- Using despite very obvious negative effects
- Having withdrawal symptoms whenever the flow of drugs stops
- Changes in appetite and associated weight loss or gain
- Shift in sleep patterns, either too much or too little
- Lack of attention to hygiene and general neglect of appearance
- Lethargic and no motivation
- Relationships with family and friends become fraught
- Mood swings and irritability
- Paranoia and anxiety
These are just some of the signs you may encounter and if you see any of them, it’s important to take note and monitor. Ignoring symptoms only makes things worse and harder in the future.
How to Learn Coping Skills for Drug Addiction
Coping skills are what help you stay the course, they’re the little “tricks” that help overcome those cravings and inevitable tough times on the journey of sobriety.
Among the best places to learn these new skills is in treatment for addiction.
In rehab, you’re in a place where all your attention is focused squarely on healing and developing the tools necessary to cope with triggers back in the real world.
As the physical addiction to drugs dissipates after detox, working on the mental side is what rehab programs are all about. You’ll work with professional addiction specialists in both individual and group settings to dig deeper into the root causes of addiction.
This is also the time you’ll be introduced to a host of coping skills ranging from practicing mindfulness, breathing exercises as well as general exercise, journaling, the importance of keeping busy, building a support system, 12-step programs and more.
What to Do After Rehab
As mentioned at the top, the journey of recovery doesn’t end when your time in rehab does, it’s something you actively work on but shouldn’t feel like work. Your post-addiction life is meant to be more fulfilling and enjoyable than the days of addiction and developing a routine that you love is crucial to that.
That’s where aftercare planning and sober living come into play, these are important parts of cementing a sober life. Sober living homes are particularly beneficial because you live in a supportive setting with a community that’s going through the same thing and building bonds with them. It also allows you to transition slowly back into your day-to-day life in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
To learn more about the coping skills you’ll develop or what sober living is like, reach out to us at Inneractions today.
Why You Should Go to Alcohol Rehab in Southern California
There’s a lot to love about Southern California.
The year-round pleasant temps. Proximity to the sea. Epic hiking. A city packed with culture, activities and energy.
It’s no wonder that SoCal is a vacation destination for many.
More importantly though, given the sheer amount of specialized rehab facilities, Southern California is also a beacon of hope for many struggling with addiction and looking for solutions. It could be that where you’re from is something of a “rehab desert” in that you don’t have all that many options for treatment or ones that align with your needs. Or it could be that just getting away from wherever you are is something that could make a big difference in its own right.
Long story short, there are plenty of reasons to consider alcohol rehab in Southern California.
We’ll elaborate further below but first, let’s discuss alcoholism.
What Are the Signs of an Alcohol Addiction?
As defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol use disorder (AUD) is “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences…Considered a brain disorder, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make individuals vulnerable to relapse”.
The signs of alcoholism become clearer as the addiction progresses, what may start as “manageable” can quickly spiral out of control. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
- Drinking more than intended
- Can’t stop or cut back despite best efforts
- Spending a lot of time getting, drinking and recovering from alcohol
- Mood swings and irritability
- Onset of withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking
- Lack of attention to general hygiene
- Weight loss
- Strong and persistent cravings
- Avoiding activities once enjoyed because they don’t include alcohol
- Finding yourself in increasingly dangerous/reckless situations, i.e., drunk driving
- Work, home and school life suffer
- Drinking despite clear problems it’s causing
- Financial hardship due to spending on alcohol
- Legal issues from what you do while drinking or in the pursuit of more drinks
- Blacking out
- Having to drink large quantities to get the same effect due to building up a tolerance
Alcohol addiction will manifest differently in each person but chances are you’ll start to see some of these the longer the addiction carries on.
Why You Should Go to Alcohol Rehab in Southern California
So why Cali then?
Specialized care
Because Southern California has so many alternatives for rehab, you’re much more likely to find the treatment option that works best for you here. With rehabs running the gamut from purely evidence-based to holistic and alternative therapy-centric, both inpatient and outpatient, you can really get the care that matches your requirements and sensibilities.
New perspective
A new setting allows you to see the world through a different lens and that can be hugely beneficial in the pursuit of sobriety.
Remove yourself from triggers
It’s often tough to get clean in the place that you got addicted. Why? Because you’re surrounded by all the triggers that may have led you to drink in the first place. Getting away from it all – the people, places, access, etc. – can lift a tremendous weight and free you to succeed.
Weather
With over 200 days of sun a year and year-round comfortable temperatures, it’s tough to find a more pleasant atmosphere for recovery – and that matters. Fresh air, sea breezes and endless sunlight truly do make a difference in how you feel and they all aid in your recovery. Just think of how down you feel when you see cloudy skies for a month straight or are snowed in. Now consider going through treatment under those grey skies. Is it doable? Of course. But it’s just that little bit more difficult.
Nature & City
Love hiking? Swimming? Climbing? Running? The natural beauty of SoCal isn’t just your new playground with mountains and sea right next to each other, it can also be incorporated right into your rehab. On the flip side, you’ll have access to one of America’s largest cities where you can find museums, food from all corners of the world, theme parks and more.
Southern California clearly has a lot to offer, to learn more about our backyard, reach out to us at Inneractions.
How Heroin Addiction Works
Heroin is an opioid.
The addictive nature of opioids is excruciatingly well known at this point. The lives it’s destroyed and the suffering endured by users and bystanders alike is incalculable.
In regards to heroin specifically, though, the numbers are numbing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Nearly 130,000 died from overdoses related to it from 1999 to 2019
- The number of heroin-involved overdose deaths was more than 7 times higher in 2019 than in 1999
- Almost 1/3rd of all opioid deaths involved heroin
What Is Heroin?
Aside from being an opioid, an illicit one, what exactly is it?
As defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Heroin can be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin”.
It can be injected, sniffed, snorted or smoked.
Since it’s an opioid, you may be wondering if there’s a link between prescription opioids and heroin use.
Unfortunately, that does look to be the case, NIDA notes that “research now suggests that misuse of these medications may actually open the door to heroin use. Some also report switching to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription opioids”.
A 2013 study found that “nearly 80 percent of heroin users reported using prescription opioids prior to heroin”.
Why Is Heroin Addictive and How Does Heroin Addiction Work?
As a nation, we’ve collectively come to understand the incredibly addictive nature of opioids and heroin is very much part of that mix. The same mechanisms that make prescription opioids so addictive are at play with this illegal alternative.
Heroin is extremely fast-acting, particularly when injected and binds to opioid receptors in the brain. In addition to the pain vanishing in seemingly an instant, heroin also comes with a wave of euphoria and pleasure. It’s largely this euphoric surge and the hours it can last that people crave.
As you continuously seek that “reward”, you find yourself needing to take ever larger doses of heroin because you’ve built a tolerance where the same dose just doesn’t cut it anymore.
To put it in more scientific terms we’ll defer back to the National Institute on Drug Abuse; “heroin binds to and activates specific receptors in the brain called mu-opioid receptors (MORs). Our bodies contain naturally occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters that bind to these receptors throughout the brain and body to regulate pain, hormone release, and feelings of well-being. When MORs are activated in the reward center of the brain, they stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing a reinforcement of drug taking behavior”.
In a nutshell, that’s how heroin addiction works.
How to Get Help With a Heroin Addiction
Deaths from overdose continue to be a widespread issue and the pandemic has only made matters with 93,000 lives lost last year – a tragic record.
Of course, this is on top of the ongoing opioid epidemic, heroin included, that the US has been trying to work through over the past couple of decades.
With respect to highly addictive drugs like heroin, it’s imperative to seek help because these drugs are frequently just too powerful to kick on your own as we’ve come to find.
Fortunately, help is never farther than a phone call away nowadays.
At Inneractions in the San Fernando Valley, our intensive outpatient program utilizes evidence-based methods to help you overcome your heroin addiction and avoid ending up a statistic.
If you or a loved one are struggling with this, don’t hesitate to reach out because as we’ve seen all too many times, opioid addiction can often end in heartbreak.