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Heroin Addiction Treatment In Toronto
Heroin is perhaps the most dangerous illicit drug on the market, accounting for more overdoses than any other illegal drug, and accounting for approximately 22% of all overdoses in the U.S. overall. Its extremely potent effects combined with its incredibly addictive nature and risky methods of administration make it a dangerous drug to try even once.
Freedom From Addiction specializes in complete heroin addiction treatment services in Toronto. Our state of the art facility is designed to help addicts go through medical detox in a safe and supportive environment, while our behavioural therapy and personalized fitness plans help them on their path to sobriety.
What is Heroin?
Heroin, also known as diamorphine, is a powerful opioid derived from the opium poppy. It is primarily used as a recreational drug known for its intensely euphoric effects, and usually comes in a white or brown powder. Similar to cocaine, heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug in Canada, making it illegal to use, possess, or sell without a prescription.
The effects of heroin on the body are similar to many other opioids, but with a much greater potency. These include feelings of euphoria, warmth, drowsiness, heaviness in the limbs, numbness, and decreased anxiety. Physical effects are also similar to other opioids, including constricted pupils, decreased heart rate, slower breathing, nausea, vomiting, severe itching, and complications arising from the route of administration. Effects usually last for a couple of hours depending on how the drug is taken, which typically include smoking, snorting, or injection.
Heroin dependence and addiction happens incredibly quickly, with tolerance to the drug developing as soon as the first dose. This means that users will need to use more and more on subsequent doses to achieve the same effects, which leads to the very real danger of an overdose. Long term heroin use is also linked to chemical and physical structure changes in the brain, making heroin addiction treatment extremely difficult. Withdrawals can be felt just a few hours after the last dose and can range from extremely unpleasant to potentially life-threatening.
Differences between Heroin and Morphine
Also known as diamorphine, heroin and morphine are very similar.
Morphine is one of the most commonly used pain management medications in the world, most often being used to treat severe pain in a hospital setting. Just like heroin, it is a derivative of the opium poppy, and works on the opioid receptors in the body to block pain signals.
The main differences between heroin and morphine lie in the potency and onset of effects. Heroin is three times more potent than morphine, producing much more powerful effects of the same sized dose. Heroin also crosses the blood-brain barrier faster, reaching the brain’s opioid receptors and turning into morphine. This means that a smaller dose produces stronger effects faster, making heroin a highly addictive choice for drug users.
While morphine is usually only administered in a medical setting under strict supervision, heroin is typically sourced illegally and is often cut with a range of adulterants. Combined with risky needle sharing practices, this makes heroin much more dangerous than morphine in both the short and long term.
Signs of Heroin Addiction
The symptoms of heroin addiction are often easier to spot than some other drug addictions, due to the classic route of administration coupled with a range of other physical side effects. You may be dealing with a heroin addiction if you notice any of the following:
- Difficulty in problem-solving and decision making
- Erratic or abnormal responses to stress
- Impulsive behaviour
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Track marks on arms, between fingers and toes
- Bruised and bulging veins
- Sallow, unhealthy complexion
- Financial issues stemming from drug use
- Apathy for social interactions
These signs are classic of heroin addiction, and if you notice any of these in yourself or a loved one, you may be dealing with a heroin dependence situation. With heroin being such an incredibly dangerous drug, it is crucial that you seek medical help as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of an overdose.
Heroin Addiction Treatment At Freedom From Addiction
Freedom From Addiction is Toronto’s premier heroin addiction treatment centre. We focus on a comprehensive detox and healing process that gives clients the tools they need to take back control of their lives.
As the most physically and socially damaging drug, along with being the most habit-forming, heroin addiction can be an extremely difficult process. Withdrawal can occur just a few hours after the last dose and can involve muscle spasms, severe aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and more. Going through these symptoms on your own can be very challenging, and most users who attempt to do so will relapse quickly. Freedom From Addiction offers a state of the art medical detox facility, where users can go through withdrawals in a supervised setting. This allows our medical staff to monitor their condition and provide medications that can alleviate some of the more unpleasant symptoms.
Our exclusive heroin addiction treatment program combines a range of different techniques to maximize the chances of staying on the path of sobriety. We use in-depth behavioural therapy to help retrain clients’ brains on how to handle cravings and stressful situations, giving them the tools they need to survive in the outside world. We also utilize individual and group therapy to help clients work through the root causes of their addiction and why they might have turned to heroin in the first place.
In addition to these treatments, we also offer personalized fitness routines and meals in our exceptional facility in Toronto. Physical activity has been shown to improve mental clarity and reduce the chances of relapse in addicts, as well as providing a range of physical health benefits. We offer group fitness classes, as well as gym equipment for clients to use on their own.
Freedom From Addiction takes pride in being the leading heroin addiction treatment centre in Toronto. We have received the prestigious Qmentum grade accreditation from Accreditation Canada, something only a handful of addiction clinics have achieved across Canada. Our focus on holistic heroin addiction treatment allows our clients to regain control of their lives while rebuilding important social connections.
Contact us today and find out how we can help you.