Taos, New Mexico based Shadow Mountain Recovery is sharing new materials to help people identify the signs of heroin addiction. People who are managing a heroin use disorder deserve help, and the team is ready to offer it to them. Given the nature of the drug in question, the rehab center strongly encourages their community to learn everything they can about the symptoms of substance use so they can identify when a loved one is in dire need of professional help.

In an article that was recently published on their official website, the clinic states, “In 2020, overdose deaths in New Mexico reached an all-time high. Opioids such as heroin significantly contributed to this tragic loss of life. Heroin comes from morphine, which is found in the seed pod of opium poppy plants. These plants are commonly grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Columbia, and Mexico. Opioids such as heroin interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in a person's nervous system. Heroin produces euphoric effects, so it’s commonly misused. While heroin use can be challenging to overcome, heroin overdose treatment can help you start the path to recovery.”

Heroin is dangerous for a number of reasons. Alongside its addictive properties, those who use heroin are more susceptible to developing a range of health issues, including trouble sleeping, breathing, and so on. Other symptoms may be more surprising to some; men, for instance, tend to experience sexual dysfunction as well, and women may find that their menstrual cycles are less regular than expected.

Shadow Mountain Recovery adds that the method of heroin consumption can itself contribute to a host of health issues. Those who snort heroin will find it inflicts damage on their mucosal tissues (in the nose and nasal septum), and injecting heroin on a regular basis is associated with numerous problems. Among these are scarred or collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves, abscesses, and other soft-tissue infections.

People who partake in heroin also rarely have the luxury of knowing exactly how the substances they consume were manufactured. There are no regulatory bodies in the illegal drug trade, so manufacturers may use techniques and ingredients that add to the harm caused by heroin alone. The rehab center says that many studies have uncovered the fact that certain additives can be added to heroin that fails to dissolve in the user’s bloodstream. As a result, their blood vessels become clogged, raising the risk of infection and causing harm to their vital organs. Many people have been documented with skin infections, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, and more. Further, the presence of contaminants can cause the immune system to react disproportionately, leading to arthritis or similar rheumatologic issues.

Along with these physiological symptoms, the loved ones of those managing heroin use disorder may notice certain changes in their behavior as well. The article explains, “Long-term heroin use creates changes to the structure and physiology of the brain. This creates long-term imbalances in a person’s neuronal and hormonal systems that may take a significant amount of time to reverse. The brain can heal itself, but this healing, unfortunately, does not happen overnight. Deterioration of the brain’s white matter due to heroin use reduces a person’s decision-making abilities and ability to regulate behavior and respond to stressful situations.”

Such behavioral changes should be taken quite seriously among teenagers, as this is strongly associated with adolescent substance use. Parents may notice their child neglecting responsibilities, getting into trouble more frequently (such as at school), and so on. While a child being shy or introverted is not itself a problematic sign, those who become withdrawn after habitually being more outgoing may be in need of help. The rehab center says parents may also notice a drastic change in who their children choose to socialize with. Should they stop seeing friends and other people who once meant a great deal to them (with no other reasonable explanation), this may mean that they are now spending more time with peers who are more accommodating of substance use.

Shadow Mountain Recovery is poised to help people struggling with a wide range of drug problems, including heroin use disorder. Their staff consists of highly trained individuals who have access to the most modern treatments and technologies, and all of the center’s resources are deployed on behalf of their patients. Anyone who wishes to learn more about heroin addiction can begin by reading the center’s online materials. Alternatively, they may contact Shadow Mountain Recovery by phone, email, or social media.

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For more information about Shadow Mountain Recovery Taos, contact the company here:

Shadow Mountain Recovery Taos
575-758-1630
info@shadowmountainrecovery.com
250 Shadow Mountain Rd
Taos, New Mexico, 87571