Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Over the whole world, a large amount of people are addicted to heroin and show the symptoms of heroin addiction. Request a Callback
By John Gillen - Last Updated: March 17, 2022
Clinically Reviewed on by Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist). All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

According to the latest research by the UN, more than 12 million people worldwide shoot up heroin every day and it has been an epidemic over the years. Heroin is an extremely dangerous drug, that will make you lose control over your life before you even know it.
Are you someone who recently started doing heroin? Are you worried you’ve developed an addiction? You should read this page to see if you identify with any of these symptoms of heroin addiction.
The Follow Up
If you go back to it a second time, you probably already have started chasing the thrill. You’re seeking that same exact sensation. That is one of the first symptoms of heroin addiction.
Once your body is used to the sensation of heroin, which will happen quicker than you might think, you’ll have a tough time feeling normal without it. This is the physical addiction that will be the hardest to kick.
Before you know it, the drug takes over control of your life. You will be having cravings that you cannot control, and the ramifications of these cravings will be soul destroying for people all around you.
Many heroin addicts end up in a prison as they have committed a crime to get their daily fix of heroin. In the USA, nearly a fifth of all those currently incarcerated, are in prison for offences related to fuelling a drug addiction. Heroin is the most notable drug that causes crime.
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Start your Recovery - Call us nowSigns and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction comes with a wide range of symptoms, both physical and psychological. Although not all individuals show the same signs in every case, below is a list of the most common behaviour changes to look out for.
Physical Symptoms:
- Sleep problems
- Exhaustion
- Extreme weight loss
- Bruising and scab formation on the skin
- Pneumonia or flu like symptoms
- Damage to Liver and/or Kidneys
Social and Psychological Symptoms:
- Confusion
- lack of concentration
- Inability to focus
- Feelings of despair
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Social isolation
- Financial difficulties
When you start to use heroin, you quickly develop a tolerance to the drug meaning next time you take it, you will need greater amounts in order to feel the desired effects. This is dangerous and quickly turns into an addiction.
How to stop this from happening
By now, you should understand, that heroin is most likely to ruin your life. There is no reason to panic … yet.
There is always a way out. Hundreds of thousands addicts each year kick their heroin habit and get their life together. If you have used heroin for a brief time or for a sustained period, it’s not too late.
At Ocean Recovery Centre, we welcome you with open arms. One of the most reliable and successful rehab clinics in the United Kingdom, we can guarantee that you can get expert help in getting clean. This is how we help you.
Heroin Rehab
We offer full support on your road to recovery with out heroin rehab programmes. This includes a full intake conversation over the phone where we assess your situation, and the best way we can help you recover. Once you check in, we will help you with the detoxification process.
Detoxification is the process of cleaning out the toxins in your body. With heroin however, this can become a very difficult task due to heroin’s strong withdrawal symptoms.
Once Heroin has been completely removed from your system during the detox, your rehab will start where you will be involved in group and individual sessions with trained professionals to help identify any underlying issues that may have contributed toward the start of your heroin addiction.
Heroin is a drug that has been described as ‘the hardest drug to stop’. The withdrawal symptoms are vicious and painful.
Withdrawal, which in regular abusers may occur as early as a few hours after the last administration, produces drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhoea and vomiting, cold flushes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), kicking movements (“kicking the habit”), and other symptoms.
Major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last dose and subside after about a week.
What Happens Next?
With the help of medication, therapy or a mix of the two, you will have a full after care package if you need it.
At Ocean Recovery Centre we can help you make the most out of your life. Call us now for more information on the symptoms of heroin addiction.
Alternatively, complete the enquiry form and a member of the team will respond shortly.
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See below list of just some of the locations our leading alcohol rehab service covers in the United Kingdom.
- Rehab in Liverpool
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John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: March 17, 2022
John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)
- Clinical Reviewer
- Last reviewed:
MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified
Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.
Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)
Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)
Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures
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