What Are the Signs of Heroin Use?

Heroin word cloud concept

Did you know that heroin was first commercially sold as a cough suppressant and pain reliever back in 1898? Of course, we now know how dangerous this drug is, and you’ll want to ensure your friends and loved ones don’t use heroin in any form.

But what are signs of heroin use? If you know what red flags to look out for, you could offer assistance to someone struggling with this terrible addiction. Although it isn’t always easy to tell if a person is taking this drug, there are several warning signs that could indicate heroin use.

Keep reading to find out more.

Risk-Taking Behavior

When using heroin, a person is likely to feel less inhibited which could lead to them engaging in risky behavior. This can include putting themselves or others in physical danger, or spending money recklessly. If you notice a person is acting out of character and exposing themselves to harm, it may be due to them feeling invincible when taking heroin.

Becoming Isolated

Heroin users may withdraw from their loved ones and social circle to spend more time taking drugs. An addict may also want to hide signs of their addiction from others by isolating themselves. This may be a gradual process, with the person becoming more distant as time goes on.

Physical and Mental Distress

While many addicts anticipate a pleasurable experience when taking heroin, it can actually cause negative feelings. For example, if a heroin user contracts cotton fever, they may suffer from mild distress, shortness of breath, and an abnormally fast heartbeat. This condition could even result in death.

To help you spot these signs and understand what treatment can help a heroin addict, you can learn more about cotton fever.

What Are Signs of Heroin Use Withdrawal?

There are also signs to look out for when an addict is going through withdrawal. This can happen when a user stops taking heroin, and they can suffer symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, tremors, sweating, and irritability. They could also experience muscle aches, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.

A heroin addict going through withdrawal can need a considerable amount of support and reassurance to prevent them from relapsing.

Be Vigilant When Looking for Signs of Heroin Use

When asking, ‘what are signs of heroin use?’, you’ll find there are many indicators to look out for. You may find that a drug addict is taking unnecessary risks, or that they are withdrawing from their normal lifestyle. It’s also possible that a heroin user will suffer upsetting physical and psychological symptoms such as pain and distress.

If you notice any of these warning signs, drug use is not necessarily the cause. However, you might want to speak to the person in case they are struggling with heroin addiction.

Now that you’ve finished this heroin use article, check out more of our interesting blog posts.