Heroin Addiction Treatment in Port St. Lucie, FL

Private Heroin Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with a heroin addiction, you may be unsure where to turn. At NP Addiction Clinic, we’re here to help. Addiction is treatable, and with our exceptional care and expert support, you can achieve long-term sobriety.

Your future is important to us. Our compassionate team will stay by your side every step of the way to help you overcome addictive behaviors, improve your mental health, and rebuild an exciting and fulfilling life free from addiction.

Heroin Addiction in The U.S.

Heroin is a powerful opiate derived from the seed pods of the opium poppy. It can produce overwhelming feelings of calm, happiness, and euphoria. It also acts as a powerful pain-reliever.

Heroin usually comes as a white or brown powder or a sticky tar-like substance called ‘black-tar heroin’, and can be snorted, injected, sniffed, or smoked. A highly addictive drug that comes hand-in-hand with severe consequences, individuals who consume heroin are at risk of suffering a fatal heroin overdose.

The Specter or Heroin Overdose

Research has determined that opioids, such as heroin, cause approximately 70% of drug-related deaths worldwide, 30% of which involve an overdose. The widespread, and growing presence of fentanyl in the supply of street heroin has led to a skyrocketing fatal overdose rate in the U.S.

Heroin abuse also has devastating social consequences, leading to the spread of diseases, crime, and disruptions in family and workplace environments that cost the United States billions of dollars every year.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a synthetic opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance present in the seeds of the opium poppy. You make heroin by heating morphine, adding other chemicals, and then purifying it.

Heroin crosses from your blood into your brain much faster than morphine, with many able to feel the effects within ten seconds of injecting it. The rush of euphoria you experience is also quicker and more intense than with other opiates.

Why Is Heroin So Addictive?

When consumed, heroin floods your body with chemicals like dopamine, endorphins, and dynorphins. These chemicals can cause experiences of euphoria, intense happiness, and pain relief.

Endorphins are opiates that are naturally present in our bodies. Our central nervous system and the pituitary gland release them when we participate in pleasurable activities, such as exercising, eating chocolate, or creating art.

Heroin works by binding to our natural opiate receptors. However, heroin causes sensations of overwhelming pleasure that are much more intense than those that result from natural endorphins.

The reward pathways in our brain connect this ‘reward’ with using heroin, making you want to use the drug again. These new connections produce physical changes in your brain cells, giving way to strong urges to take heroin that are difficult to resist.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction?

The first step to recovery is recognizing that you may need help. If you notice any of these signs of heroin addiction, get in touch with our center today. Our expert team of medical experts is available twenty-four hours a day to offer compassionate advice and guide you through the next steps.

Behavioral signs and symptoms:

Possessing syringes, needles, and other paraphernalia
Being dishonest about where you are going or what you are doing
Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
Requiring higher doses of heroin to feel the same effect

Physical signs and symptoms:

Constricted pupils
Depressed breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Tiredness
Runny nose and watery eyes
Scabs and sores from injecting
Sleeping difficulties
Weight loss
Heavy legs and arms
Dry mouth 

Psychological Signs and Symptoms:

Mood swings
Poor judgment
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion and disorientation
Anxiety
Agitation

Heroin Addiction vs. Physical Dependence

Physical dependence develops when you take heroin repeatedly over time. Your body adjusts to the presence of the substance and, in turn, decreases its production of natural opiates. Gradually, you build a tolerance to the drug and begin to depend on it to feel normal.

Addiction refers specifically to the compulsively seeking or using of a substance, despite any negative consequences. While physical dependence often leads to addiction, it is possible to become dependent on heroin but not exhibit addictive behaviors.

What Are the Dangers of Heroin Addiction?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, repeatedly using heroin causes physical changes in the brain. It may lead to long-lasting imbalances in brain signaling and chemical systems that are difficult to reverse. It can also cause a deterioration of the brain’s white matter, which may impact decision-making, behavior regulation, and stress response.

Injecting heroin with shared needles also puts you at risk of contracting blood-transmitted diseases like HIV and hepatitis B. The injection itself can also harm the body over time.

If you become addicted to heroin, you will also have developed a physical dependence on the drug. When you try to stop, you may experience a series of uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous withdrawal symptoms. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends that you detox from heroin under twenty-four-hour medical supervision to help manage severe symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms usually present within a few hours of the last time you took heroin. They include muscle and bone pain, diarrhea, vomiting, restlessness, insomnia, and leg movements. Significant withdrawal symptoms tend to last around a week, but some people experience the effects of withdrawal for many months.

What Are the Dangers of Heroin Overdose?

Heroin addiction also increases the chance of an overdose. Overdosing happens when you take more heroin than your body can metabolize at any given time. Opioids are central nervous system (CNS) depressants that reduce your breathing and heart rate. When you overdose, it can slow down so much that oxygen cannot reach your brain. As overdosing on heroin can be fatal, you should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect someone may have overdosed.

Heroin Detox

Heroin addiction can have devastating consequences, but there is a way out. At NP Addiction, our expert team is on hand to guide you through detox and addiction treatment so that you can overcome your addiction, rebuild yourself, and lay the foundations for a new, sober future. Your recovery is important to us, and we offer you the very best support to help you get there.

Your recovery journey usually begins with detox, the process of removing all traces of heroin and its toxins from your body. Without medical supervision, opioid withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and even dangerous.

At NP addiction, we ensure you are in safe hands. Our professional team of licensed medics remains by your side at all times to monitor your health and prescribe you medication that helps your body cope with the detoxification process.

We make detox as easy as possible to ensure you are in the right mindset to engage in the rest of your recovery program.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

Overcoming addiction involves more than just detoxification. It requires identifying the underlying causes of addictive behavior and developing coping mechanisms to overcome them. It requires holistic healing and personal growth to help you recover from mental health disorders that may be driving your addiction and give you the confidence and self-worth to overcome any challenges ahead.

At NP Addiction, we understand that every client is different. We will design an individualized treatment program to suit your needs and give you the best chance of reaching your recovery goals. We focus on holistic personal growth through 12-steps groups and artistic therapies to help you reconnect with your body and mind as you journey to lifelong sobriety.

Our evidence-based treatment approaches include:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Support groups
Art therapy
Music therapy
Recreational therapy
Medication assisted treatment

Recovering from heroin addiction isn’t easy, but remember, you are not alone in your struggles. People recover from addiction every day; many of our staff members are in recovery themselves.

With our expert support, exceptional care, unconditional compassion, and respect, you can break free from addiction. Please contact us today to take the first steps.

Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?

Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.

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24-Hour Support

We are dedicated to helping people heal, recover and live better lives, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Count on us to be there when you need us most. 

On-Site Detox

Unlike most facilities, we provide a complete, in-house safe and comfortable medical detox.We care for you from start to finish.
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Mental Health Treatment Pros

We are experts in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction and much more. Our mental health expertise is above and beyond the norm.
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Aftercare and Alumni Support

Our aftercare, alumni support and MAT programs are second to none. We’re invested in your recovery and wellness for the long haul. 

Best Heroin Addiction Treatment

The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best heroin treatment available. We can help you or the one you love too, but you need to make the first move. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form. 

Samantha Kelly​

Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine