Heroin Rehab at Engage Wellness Acton
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Updated On : August 1, 2024
Dealing with any substance use disorder is challenging and can become overwhelming without the right support. Heroin is a notoriously addictive drug with a multitude of damaging effects on both the body and the mind. It’s also one of the most fatal drugs, contributing to the ongoing opioid epidemic across Massachusetts — and the rest of the nation.[1]
Here at Engage Wellness Acton, we know that nobody plans to be an addict. Life can be unpredictable and tricky to negotiate, leading to decisions you thought you’d never make. However, if you’re struggling with any type of substance use, you’re not alone. We offer holistic treatment for heroin addiction to clients from all walks of life, helping you get back to the life you want to enjoy.
Heroin is a type of opioid, which means a drug that’s derived from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.[2] Opioids may also be synthetic and merely mimic the effects of organic opioids. Fully organic opioids are also sometimes called opiates. However, heroin is semi-synthetic because it’s a chemically altered version of morphine. You may hear a medical professional refer to heroin as diacetylmorphine, which is its chemical name.
Many opioids are used frequently in medicine, either as painkillers or sedatives. However, heroin is not one of these. Heroin is an illegal substance and is only ever used as a medicine in rare, end-of-life cases. In these instances, it’s usually referred to as diamorphine and used to control intense pain.
A primary reason heroin isn’t used in general healthcare is because it is highly addictive. In palliative care, there are fewer concerns about the long-term impacts of addiction. However, for people with many years ahead of them, heroin addiction can be devastating.
Heroin is so addictive because when you take it, it almost immediately floods the brain with chemicals. Heroin is either injected directly into the bloodstream, snorted as a powder or liquid, or smoked. However, when it is taken, the body experiences the effect of the drug nearly instantly.[3]
Heroin can also be addictive after very few uses. Some substances cause you to develop an addiction over time. Your brain gradually changes to depend on the drug. However, the “hit” or “rush” from heroin is so intense that someone can very quickly crave that feeling again. Unfortunately, because your body naturally builds up a tolerance to opioids, you would need to take more or stronger heroin to get the same intense rush. This leads to users taking more than is safe, which is a primary cause of fatal overdose.
Heroin users in the United States may start taking the drug for a number of reasons. Some simply want to experience the “high.” While heroin use isn’t exactly glamorized in the media, there’s a myth surrounding it that nothing feels as intense. This may lead people to try it simply for the experience, not realizing that they can instantly become addicted. People may also take heroin to try and overcome mental anguish, grief, or emotional distress. Some are pressured into it by peers or social expectations.
Another reason people may have turned to heroin is a previous addiction to other opioids that are no longer available or too expensive. There is a problem with painkiller addiction across America. People who live with pain are often prescribed opioids in the short term, but then they can become addicted. When their prescription runs out, they may look for other sources of the drugs. “Black market” painkillers can be very expensive, and heroin can, sometimes, seem like a cheaper option. Sadly, many street drugs, regardless of price, are cut with other substances like fentanyl and can cause instant overdose.
Across the states, heroin accounts for around 7% of opioid overdose fatalities. Massachusetts has around 375 heroin overdose-related deaths every year.[4,5] While most of these deaths are of young men, it’s important to note that heroin addiction can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, or race.
The overall outlook for opioid addiction has improved over the last year. For the first time in five years, fatal overdoses due to opioids like heroin dropped by 3% nationally.[6] It could be that more people are seeking help at an earlier stage in their addiction journey, which is something the team at Engage Wellness Acton can help you with.
How do you know if you’ve become addicted to heroin? If you experience intense cravings for the drug, it’s definitely time to seek help. Other symptoms and signs common across many types of opioid addiction include:[7]
If you think a loved one could benefit from treatment for heroin addiction, you may have noticed that they’ve had unexplained financial troubles. They may have asked to borrow money but then have been secretive when asked what it was for. They may also have changed the people they socialize with and the places they go. These are all signs that could indicate a problem, so if you’re able to, talk to that person and try to discover if they’re ready to seek help.
Heroin is a derivative of morphine and affects the body in a similar way but at very intense levels.[8] This sudden high volume of morphine in the brain causes the rapid production of dopamine, which is experienced as euphoria and a feeling of intense well-being.
Unfortunately, with repeated use, the brain finds it harder to produce regular levels of dopamine on a day-to-day basis. Because dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward, users can quickly find themselves bored or disillusioned by things they used to love. After a while, the only thing that interests them is heroin use because their brain believes it’s the only way to get dopamine.
Repeated heroin use can also impact your:
Common results of heroin use include abscesses, arthritis, and vascular inflammation.[9]
Heroin is unfortunately linked to other diseases, particularly if the drug is injected. Using needles to inject substances carries a number of risks. It’s not like getting an inoculation jab where everything is sterile and carefully monitored. Injecting drugs in a potentially bacteria-filled environment leads to a highly increased risk of infections such as sepsis. If heroin users decide to share needles, they also put themselves at risk from blood-borne diseases like:[10]
Because heroin can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system, if you catch any of these diseases, you could be at risk of serious illness or death much sooner than someone without the drugs in their system. Getting help might feel like a huge step, but it’s one of the strongest things you can do — for yourself, your friends, and your family.
Taking that first decision to get help is never easy, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team works with clients just like you every day. We’re not interested in judging you. We only want to see you firmly on the road to recovery.
We employ a range of treatment options, from psychological sessions to help with the mental distress caused by substance use to physical therapy in the form of sports, yoga, massage, and other disciplines proven to help the body, mind, and psyche. We also work with trusted detox facilities across Massachusetts to help get you started on your recovery journey.
Holistic heroin addiction treatment at Engage Wellness Acton isn’t just about achieving sobriety. It’s about completely changing your perspective so you can make different choices for yourself.
To find out more, please reach out to a member of our team. We’re ready and waiting to help you or a loved one on the road to overcoming heroin addiction.
Engage Wellness offers a comprehensive approach to heroin addiction treatment that combines evidence-based therapies with medication support when needed. Our multiple levels of care provide the flexibility to match treatment intensity with your recovery needs, whether you’re starting your journey or transitioning to maintenance care. Each program incorporates both addiction treatment and mental health support to address the complex nature of opioid dependence.
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Recovering from heroin addiction requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach that addresses both physical dependence and deep-rooted behavioral patterns. Our evidence-based treatment modalities work together to support lasting recovery, combining proven clinical methods with holistic healing practices that target every aspect of opioid use disorder:
We offer FDA-approved medications like Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and naltrexone as part of our comprehensive treatment approach to detoxification and recovery. Suboxone helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while blocking the effects of heroin, allowing you to focus on therapy and recovery. Our medical team carefully manages these medications, adjusting doses to meet your needs while providing counseling and behavioral support to address the psychological aspects of drug addiction.
Many people develop heroin addiction while trying to manage chronic pain. Our program includes pain management specialists who work alongside addiction professionals to develop alternative pain treatment strategies. We combine non-narcotic medications, physical therapy, mindfulness techniques, and other evidence-based approaches to help you manage pain while maintaining recovery.
Overdose prevention is a crucial part of our heroin substance abuse treatment program. We provide extensive education about overdose risks, especially during periods of reduced tolerance after treatment. Each client receives naloxone training and resources, and we work with families to create overdose prevention plans. Our medication-assisted treatment program also helps reduce overdose risk by providing medication support and consistent monitoring.
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024, August). Drug Overdose Death Rates. National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates on February 13, 2025
[2,8] Heroin | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2025, January 17). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/heroinon on February 13, 2025
[3] Heroin drug profile | www.euda.europa.eu. (2024, December 1). https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/heroin_en on February 13, 2025
[4] Spencer, M., Garnett, M., & Miniño, A. (n.d.). Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2002-2022 Key findings Data from the National Vital Statistics System. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/media/pdfs/2024/04/Drug-Overdose-Deaths-in-the-United-States-2002-2022.pdf on February 13, 2025
[5] NCDAS. (2023). Statistics on Heroin Use & Overdose Deaths | 2022 Analysis. NCDAS. https://drugabusestatistics.org/heroin-statistics/ on February 13, 2025
[6] McPhillips, D. (2024, May 15). US drug overdose deaths decreased in 2023 for the first time in five years. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/15/health/overdose-deaths-decrease-2023/index.html on February 13, 2025
[7] Opioids: recognizing the signs. (n.d.). New York State Department of Health https://www.health.ny.gov/community/opioid_epidemic/signs.htm on February 13, 2025
[9] What are the medical complications of chronic heroin use? | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-medical-complications-chronic-heroin-use on February 13, 2025
[10] NIDA. 2021, April 13. Why does heroin use create special risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C?. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/why-are-heroin-users-special-risk-contracting-hivaids-hepatitis-b-c on February 13, 2025