A daily consumption of heroin begins to build a tolerance. This means the user must use more and more heroin to get same or similar effect. When addicts eventually using higher doses, physical dependence and addiction process begins. In physical addiction the body has accepted the presence of drugs and withdrawal symptoms begin to occur as the user stops or reduces the amount of substance they have grown accustomed to.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms often take just hours after last dose. These produce drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold sweats with goose bumps, kicking movements and other symptoms. The worst sets in between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and only begin to subside after a week. Users in a poor physical condition attempting detoxification without assistance can prove fatal, although heroin withdrawal is statistically considered as much less dangerous than alcohol and sedatives.
What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal?
Depending on the daily intake, may occur following reactions:
- Convulsions
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Increased heart rate
- Heartbeat
- Sudden and rapid high blood pressure
- Stroke
- Extreme depression
- Suicidal behavior
Are there other problems that can occur with heroin addiction?
Heroin can cause feelings of depression that can persist for weeks. Attempts to stop using heroin can fail simply because withdrawal symptoms can be so overwhelming that they force the addict to use more heroin to get rid of these symptoms. This predominance of addiction can cause the addict will do anything to get heroin.
Also see Methadone addiction as part of the opiate family of drugs.