Understanding Heroin and Its Impact
Heroin is a powerful opioid with no accepted medical use in the United States. Made from morphine, it is often found as a white or brown powder, or as sticky “black tar heroin.” Across Tennessee — from Memphis to Knoxville and small towns like Columbia — heroin continues to destroy lives.
Many patients begin with prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone before transitioning to heroin. This dangerous shift is made worse by the fact that today’s heroin supply is frequently laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin itself.
At Recovery Care of Columbia, we provide safe, accessible treatment for heroin addiction through telemedicine Suboxone treatment in Tennessee, ensuring that anyone can start recovery from the privacy of home.
Why People Turn to Heroin
Heroin use often follows dependency on prescription painkillers. As prescriptions expire or become unaffordable, some people turn to heroin as a cheaper option to avoid withdrawal. Unfortunately, what begins as “just trying it” quickly leads to daily use, dependence, and a cycle of addiction that feels impossible to break without help.
Street Names for Heroin
Recognizing heroin by its slang terms can help families and loved ones spot warning signs. Common names include:
- Smack
- Dope
- H or Big H
- Horse
- Black Tar
- Junk
Effects of Heroin Use
Short-Term
Heroin acts rapidly, binding to opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system. Short-term effects include:
- Euphoria and extreme relaxation
- Warm flushing of the skin
- Heavy limbs and drowsiness
- Slowed breathing and heart rate
Long-Term
Chronic heroin use damages both the body and mind:
- Collapsed veins and infections from injection use
- Liver and kidney disease
- Lung complications such as pneumonia
- Hormonal problems and infertility
- Ongoing anxiety and depression
- Increased risk of fatal overdose
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal is one of the main reasons people relapse. Symptoms may begin within 6–12 hours of the last dose and include:
- Intense muscle and bone pain
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Chills, cold sweats, and goosebumps (“cold turkey”)
- Anxiety, agitation, and restlessness
- Powerful cravings that overwhelm willpower
Without treatment, relapse is common — not from lack of desire to quit, but because withdrawal is too severe to face alone.
Why Heroin Addiction is So Powerful
Heroin rewires the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain reduces its natural dopamine production, making it impossible to feel normal without the drug. This explains why heroin addiction is not about “weakness” — it’s a chronic medical condition that requires evidence-based treatment.
Effective Treatment Options for Heroin Addiction
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
At Recovery Care of Columbia, we use Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) as the foundation of treatment. Suboxone:
- Relieves withdrawal symptoms
- Reduces cravings
- Lowers overdose risk
- Can be safely prescribed through telemedicine Suboxone appointments
👉 Register for our telemedicine Suboxone treatment program in Tennessee.
Counseling and Support
Addiction is not only physical — it’s emotional and behavioral. That’s why we combine Suboxone treatment with virtual counseling to help patients rebuild their lives, improve coping skills, and prevent relapse.
Accessible Telemedicine Care
Whether you live in Memphis, Knoxville, Columbia, or a rural Tennessee town, you can access the same high-quality care virtually. Our telemedicine model ensures that treatment is available no matter where you are.
Why Choose Recovery Care of Columbia?
Patients choose us because we provide:
- Same-day Suboxone treatment appointments online
- Joint Commission accreditation, reflecting the highest standards in addiction care
- Coverage through TennCare Medicaid and most commercial insurance
- Affordable self-pay options
- Compassionate, judgment-free providers who understand addiction personally and professionally
We were the first outpatient addiction treatment facility in Tennessee licensed for virtual opioid treatment, making us leaders in telemedicine-based recovery.
👉 Read more about our Joint Commission–accredited addiction treatment.
Related Drug Treatment Pages
- Fentanyl Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Oxycodone Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Kratom 7-OH Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Hydrocodone Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Methadone Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Tramadol Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
- Morphine Addiction Treatment in Tennessee
Take the First Step Today
Heroin addiction is devastating, but recovery is possible. At Recovery Care of Columbia, we make starting treatment simple, fast, and private.
👉 Register with TennCare Medicaid
👉 Register with Commercial Insurance
👉 Register with Self-Pay
👉 Register as a returning patient
👉 Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program