San Diego Drug Treatment Centers and How to Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction

San Diego treatment centers for drug addiction offer transformative recovery programs in comfortable, modern living facilities. The comprehensive programs include medical detox, education, evidence-based therapies, and treatments tailored to you and your family’s needs. Designed to achieve lasting recovery, drug treatment centers in California, especially in San Diego, typically last around 28 days for inpatient stays.

You’ll find support from peers and the team of specialists who provide personalized clinical recovery therapy. Many of the counselors have personal experience with addiction and are available 24/7 to answer your questions, ensuring you receive the care and attention you deserve. Your privacy is vital; these centers maintain strict confidentiality with anonymous calls.

When addressing substance use disorders, the first step may involve professional residential detox to ensure safety and minimize risks. Attempting to detox opioids, such as heroin or fentanyl, at home (“going cold turkey”) can pose life-threatening dangers and risky side effects without medical support. Residential detox provides essential support and is a crucial building block for long-term recovery success.

How many overdose deaths in San Diego County?

Over the past few years, there’s been a dramatic rise in overdose deaths involving illicit fentanyl and its analogs. According to data from the County of San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, accidental fentanyl overdose deaths surged by a staggering 2,345% countywide, from 33 deaths in 2016 to 807 deaths in 2021.

Of these, roughly 47% occurred within the City of San Diego, accounting for 383 fatalities. This translates to a rate of 27.1 per 100,000 individuals in the city’s population.

Shockingly, 82% of these deaths were males, with 27% aged between 25 and 34 years and 56% identified as White or non-Hispanic. However, Black/African American individuals had the highest fatality rate, more than double that of their White counterparts, with 66.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals in the City population. Similarly, a significant portion of these fatalities are among the homeless population, with approximately 30% of the 383 deaths believed to be homeless individuals. [1]

Does heroin make you horny?

Heroin is an opioid drug that acts on the central nervous system, primarily by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. While heroin can produce various effects, such as euphoria, sedation, and pain relief, it does not directly increase sexual arousal or libido. In many cases, heroin use often leads to a decrease in sexual desire and function due to its depressant effects on the nervous system.

The side effects of heroin use can affect both men and women and may include:

• Respiratory depression: Slow breathing to dangerous levels, increasing the risk of respiratory failure and overdose.
• Nausea and vomiting: Many users experience gastrointestinal distress shortly after taking heroin.
• Constipation: Slow bowel function, leading to constipation and related discomfort.
• Drowsiness and sedation: Heroin is a central nervous system depressant, causing tiredness and lethargy.
• Confusion and disorientation: Users may experience mental fog, confusion, and impaired judgment while under the influence of the drug.
• Constricted pupils: Pupils become significantly smaller, even in dim lighting.
• Itching and scratching: Some individuals experience intense itching and may scratch excessively, known as “itchy skin.”
• Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction: Chronic heroin use can lead to decreased sexual desire and difficulties in sexual performance.
• Hormonal imbalances: Long-term heroin use may disrupt hormonal function, leading to issues such as menstrual irregularities in women and reduced testosterone levels in men.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases: Sharing needles for heroin injection can increase the risk of contracting bloodborne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.
• Mental health effects: Increased risk of mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Many people who use heroin are seeking relief from emotional or physical pain, and the drug’s ability to induce feelings of euphoria and numbness can provide a temporary escape from life’s challenges. Also, heroin is known for its rapid onset of effects, making it appealing to those seeking immediate relief from distress or seeking to intensify pleasurable sensations. However, prolonged heroin use can lead to tolerance, dependence, and addiction, ultimately diminishing its initial appeal and causing significant harm to physical and mental health.

Does heroin feel like an orgasm?

While sexual feelings were not commonly linked with heroin-induced highs, research suggests that many individuals were unable to reach orgasm without drugs but found pleasure in sexual experiences while using heroin and cocaine. The study surveyed 40 male and 29 female heroin addicts to understand their subjective responses to heroin and cocaine. Both genders rated pleasure, relaxation, satisfaction, warmness, and thirst highest for heroin use. However, sexual orgasm was ranked low. For cocaine, both genders rated excitement, pleasure, thirst, strength, and anxiety highly. Again, sexual orgasm was rated low.

Heroin use can interfere with sexual function because it is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows down brain activity and affects neurotransmitter levels. [2] Specifically, heroin suppresses the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward pathways in the brain. Dopamine is involved with sexual arousal and orgasm. When heroin suppresses dopamine levels, it can lead to decreased libido, difficulty achieving arousal, and inhibited orgasm.

Studies also have found that many heroin users and patients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) experience sexual dysfunction at high rates. One of the highlights of this study suggests that clinicians should inquire about sexual dysfunction when treating heroin dependence, as only 11.8% of patients in the sample reported it without being asked. However, 32.7% of patients considered stopping medication-assisted treatment because of this issue. [3] Such insights are instrumental in informing tailored interventions and support strategies aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by people battling substance abuse disorders.

Find the Help that You Need with Fentanyl Treatment Centers in San Diego

If you’re struggling with fentanyl or heroin abuse, San Diego treatment centers are here to provide the support and assistance you need. Rehab teams are committed to guiding you through your journey to recovery with compassion and expertise. These drug treatment centers in California offer a range of comprehensive programs tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances. At San Diego drug rehab centers, you’ll find a safe and nurturing environment where you can heal and grow. We understand your challenges and are here to help you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to seek help – recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone. Contact drug treatment centers in California today to take the first step towards a healthier, happier addiction-free life. Your journey to recovery starts here, with the support and guidance of our experienced team.

Resources:

[1] Response to Request for Options to Combat the Illicit Fentanyl Crisis – https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/iba-report-23-06.pdf

[2] Mirin SM, Meyer RE, Mendelson JH, Ellingboe J. Opiate use and sexual function. Am J Psychiatry. 1980 Aug;137(8):909-15. Doi: 10.1176/ajp.137.8.909. PMID: 6774622.

[3] Llanes C, Álvarez AI, Pastor MT, Garzón MÁ, González-García N, Montejo ÁL. Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Chronic Heroin-Dependent Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment. J Clin Med. 2019 Mar 7;8(3):321. doi: 10.3390/jcm8030321. PMID: 30866482; PMCID: PMC6463066.