Heroin is a potent, dangerous, and highly addictive drug derived from morphine. Because opiates are cheaper and illegally obtainable on the streets, it’s common for heroin abuse to stem from prescription opiate addiction. The “high” that users experience when taking heroin can be extremely intense and encourage drug-taking behavior, resulting in addiction. As the addiction intensifies, users may not be able to stop on their own. Our heroin rehab in Chicago offers customized addiction treatment that will help you break the cycle of drug abuse. Throughout this program, our staff will help patients understand their disorders and teach them the skills they’ll need to live sober lives.

Our Heroin Addiction Rehab in Chicago

Seeking heroin addiction treatment is the best thing you can do for yourself when battling heroin dependency. Unfortunately, many people who struggle with this addiction are in denial of needing help.

Understanding and admitting you need help is the first step toward a complete recovery. At Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago, we have our patients begin their rehab programs with a full clinical assessment to determine the level of care they’ll require.

Someone suffering from heroin addiction could also join our partial hospitalization program or our 12-step to successfully overcome their addiction. Each patient is unique, so their treatment should be, too.

What Does Heroin Look Like?

Heroin typically comes in the form of a white or brownish powder, although it can also be found as a black, sticky substance known as "black tar" heroin. The powder form of the substance can vary in texture and color depending on its purity and the additives used to cut the drug. It can be sold in small plastic bags or wrapped in paper, often in small doses known as "hits" or "bags." Black tar heroin, on the other hand, is typically sold in small chunks or rocks and is often heated and injected directly into the bloodstream.

It's important to note that heroin can be easily disguised and may be mixed with other substances, such as fentanyl, which is an extremely potent synthetic opioid. This makes it difficult to identify the drug by appearance alone and highlights the importance of testing any suspicious substances before using them. The potential dangers associated with heroin use, including addiction, overdose, and the risk of contracting infections such as HIV and hepatitis, make it crucial to avoid using the drug altogether.

How Does Heroin Work?

Heroin is an opioid drug that works by binding to mu-Opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. These receptors are involved in the regulation of pain, reward, and other physiological processes. When heroin binds to these receptors, it activates them and causes the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

The increased dopamine levels in the brain create a sense of well-being and contentment, which is why heroin is highly addictive. The drug also depresses the central nervous system, slowing down heart rate, respiration, and other bodily functions, which can lead to serious health problems, including overdose. Over time, repeated heroin use can lead to physical dependence, meaning that the body becomes reliant on the drug to function normally.

Signs of Heroin Addiction

The signs and symptoms of heroin addiction may vary depending on the person’s frequency of use, the amount they use, and their dependency on the drug. The most common signs of heroin abuse include:

  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Hostility towards others
  • Slurred speed
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent respiratory infections
  • Agitation and irritability
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Scabs or bruises from picking at the skin
  • Needle marks on the arms, legs, or feet
  • Disorientation
  • Constricted pupils
  • Decreased personal hygiene
  • Lying about their drug use
  • Withdrawing from loved ones
  • Neglecting responsibilities at school or work
  • Stashing drugs in various places (such as in their car, around the house, and at work)
  • Drug paraphernalia like burned spoons, needles, syringes, missing shoelaces, or glass pipes
  • Periods of hyperactivity followed by periods of fatigue
  • Lack of motivation

If someone you know has exhibited several of the signs listed above, our Chicago heroin rehab can help them regain their mental and physical sobriety. Heroin abuse can take over a person’s life, but with the help of our IOP or other levels of care, patients at our Illinois drug rehab can learn the source of their conditions and learn realistic ways to maintain their sobriety long-term.

What Does Heroin Withdrawal Feel Like?

The beginning stages of heroin addiction rehab treatment may include uncomfortable and intense withdrawal symptoms. These may vary depending on the patient’s current physical condition. Because heroin exits the body quicker than most drugs, withdrawal symptoms usually occur right away.

Withdrawing from heroin can feel like an intense bout of flu. The side effects of heroin withdrawal may vary in severity, but patients can expect to feel symptoms such as:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Extreme anxiety and agitation
  • Sweating
  • Dilated pupils
  • Muscle cramps

Individuals can experience different heroin withdrawal symptoms depending on how much of it they’ve been using and how long they’ve been using. Because long-term heroin abuse can affect the brain’s functions and chemical makeup, long-term withdrawal symptoms may persist. Heroin also has a high propensity for overdose, which can lead to further health problems or may even be fatal. At our drug rehab in Chicago, patients can recover under 24-hour care and medical monitoring in a safe and comfortable environment.

Customized Heroin Abuse Help at Banyan

At Banyan Chicago, we pride ourselves on providing the best care possible for each of our patients. We act as a continuous support system throughout the entire recovery journey. Our trained and dedicated staff work one-on-one with each of our patients to ensure that their treatment plans are fully customized to meet their needs and recovery goals.

Patients will engage in addiction therapy programs that will help them understand the roots of their addictions while developing the skills necessary for maintaining their sobriety in the long run. Individuals will learn how to effectively move past their addiction and live a sober life. If you believe that you could benefit from our options for Illinois addiction treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out.

To learn how you or a loved one can begin treatment at our heroin rehab centers in Chicago, contact Banyan today.

Related Reading:

The Different Types of Heroin

The Effects of Snorting Heroin

Heroin Cutting Agents

What are some of the challenges during Heroin Detox?

The difficulty that heroin addicted individuals face when trying to stop using heroin independently is that the cravings, combined with the pain experienced during withdrawal, become too much to tolerate. This is one of the main causes of relapse, the discomfort is too great and the individual knows that by using again, the pain can be alleviated.

While heroin addicts are still likely to experience some symptoms of withdrawal even while detoxing in a medically supervised detox program, the added support of therapy during medical monitoring leads to a more successful recovery process.

There are many different reasons people turn to heroin. Opiates are commonly known as the open door that leads them to the path of destruction. Heroin is often times cheaper than prescription pills, has a more intense high, and is easier to find.


  • The reason some turn to heroin is due to unresolved issues and emotions that are brought on from past experiences or traumas. At Banyan Boca’s Detox Program, we address these issues through a variation of therapeutic methods, and we give the needed support to deal with what causes the reasoning behind wanting to get “high” in the first place.
  • When an individual tries to quit the drug use independently, the cravings combined with an extremely unpleasant withdrawal, can be so uncomfortable, it is often unable to be tolerated alone. At Banyan we combined medication and counseling to get the maximum support.
  • Heroin is habit forming not only physically, but also psychologically, a proper medical detox through a trusted facility is crucial for a proper recovery.

What are my options for Heroin Detox?

When it comes to options for Heroin detox, there are not many. People who attempt to detox from home are rarely successful due to strong cravings, lack of proper medication, and can encounter many medical complications. The safest option for heroin detox is use a medically supervised detox program, like Banyan Detox.

The most successful way to detox from heroin would be a medically supervised heroin detox program. While, detoxing at home is possible, there are many complications that could result from going “cold turkey.” Proper medical detoxification and therapy are required to ensure a life of sustained recovery.


The best choice is Banyan’s Detox Program. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to heroin, we are here to help, please call us at: 888-422-1651.


Most Insurance Plans Accepted

At Banyan Treatment Center our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs treatment from drug and alcohol addiction are able to get the help needed to assist them on the road to recovery. If you don't have insurance contact us to inquire about alternate methods regarding treatment for yourself or a loved one.

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