Heroin Detox
What is Heroin Detox?
Medical detoxification from heroin or heroin detox is a supervised process of withdrawing an individual from the drug in a controlled manner using medications for comfort and safety. The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic offers heroin detox at our on-site location.
Heroin is a powerful and highly addictive opioid that can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. This is why a medical detox is so important; it helps to reduce the severity of the physical and psychological reactions associated with heroin withdrawal.
This makes withdrawal not only safer and much more comfortable, it also greatly reduces the chances of relapse in early recovery. A medication-assisted heroin detox is the first step in successful recovery from heroin addiction.
Detoxing Off of Heroin
An addiction to heroin or other drugs is known as substance use disorder (SUD), a brain disease that should be treated like any other illness. Contrary to belief, no minimum amount of heroin is required to develop an addiction. However, addiction is more likely with prolonged heroin use.
It can be challenging to determine whether someone has a heroin addiction, but in the absence of the drug or a suitable alternative, eventually psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms will appear, usually peaking in around 48-72 hours from the last dose.
Psychological symptoms of heroin addiction include:
- Mood swings
- Euphoria
- Dysphoria
- Anxiety and panic
- Depression
- Aggression and agitation
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
Physical symptoms of heroin addiction include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Runny nose
- Chronic constipation
- Dry mouth
- Itchy skin
- Weight loss
- Sleep problems
- Lethargy
- Respiratory problems
Effects That a Heroin Detox Can Help Relieve
Heroin essentially hijacks the brain’s natural reward system, making it incredibly easy to become addicted to the drug. Although the brain receives happy hormones from other activities like music, food, and sex, heroin offers a rapid onset of euphoria. When heroin is repeatedly taken, the brain acclimatizes to this, craving it despite any adverse effects.
Heroin abuse also causes short and long-term health problems.
Short-term physical effects include:
- Itchy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Fuzzy brain
- Slowed breathing
- Slowed heart rate
Long-term effects and dangers of heroin abuse can include:
- Addiction
- Severe constipation
- Poor dental health
- Collapsed veins
- Blood clots
- Malnutrition
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Heart infections
- Skin infections
- Hepatitis and HIV (IV use)
- Brain damage
- Menstrual problems
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Mental disorders
- Seizures
- Psychosis
The Risk of Heroin Overdose
There is also a risk of overdosing on heroin, especially when consumed in large quantities. Overdose is a life-threatening complication that can result in death.
Overdose is more likely when heroin is administered via injection or taken alongside alcohol or sedatives, such as benzos. The presence of fentanyl in most street heroin has also exponentially increased the odds of fatal overdose.
Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose if used promptly by a medical professional. In the event of a heroin overdose, call 911 immediately. As heroin can affect all aspects of a person’s life, it is essential to seek professional support if an addiction arises.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?
Heroin and all other opioids, including prescription painkillers, present a risk of addiction. In fact, opioid addiction is at epidemic levels in the US and worldwide. In 2017, the US Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
In addition, studies have found that using prescription painkillers such as morphine, codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (Oxycontin) is a risk factor for heroin use. This is especially true when people use heroin due to being unable to access prescription opioids. As heroin is cheaper than prescriptions, many will turn to the drug.
What Do Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms Look Like?
Most people who complete heroin detox experience withdrawal symptoms.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Abdominal pain
- Tremors
- Mood swings and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Intense drug cravings
If severe withdrawal symptoms are felt, medication is available to alleviate them. For the best chance of coping with heroin withdrawal symptoms, it is best to ask a rehab center about the additional support they can provide.
How Long Does It Take To Detox From Heroin?
Everybody is slightly different, but a heroin detox usually takes no longer than two weeks.
A typical heroin withdrawal timeline looks like this:
Heroin withdrawal symptoms start within 6-12 hours of the last dose.
Withdrawal symptoms peak 48-72 hours from the last dose.
Symptoms continue for 7-10 days from the last dose and taper off gradually.
The length of detox will depend on:
The extent of a person’s heroin use.
The body’s rate of metabolism.
Whether heroin is snorted, smoked, or injected.
Whether any other medications are taken alongside heroin.
A person’s age, weight, existing health issues, and liver function.
Sometimes withdrawal symptoms persist for much longer than two weeks. When this happens, those in recovery may be experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which can occur for up to a year following treatment. If someone experiences PAWS, ongoing support is available.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is a Schedule I opioid derived from morphine. Users commonly administer heroin by smoking, injecting, or snorting it. When used, the effects of heroin can occur within a few minutes and can last for up to one hour or more.
Common nicknames for heroin include dope, smack, H, skag, and boy. Color can range from light tan to brown or black depending on how it is made and what it is mixed with. It may be powdery or have a tar-like consistency.
Heroin is often mixed, or cut, with substances to bulk supply and maximize profits. Common inert substances mixed with heroin include starch, sugar, caffeine, and rat poison. Fentanyl is often found in street heroin these days as a cheap means to increase potency, but it also greatly increases the likelihood of fatal overdose.
Does Heroin Detox or Treatment Cure Heroin Addiction?
Heroin detox and treatment are not cures for addiction. There is not, as of yet, a cure for addiction. However, a medically-assisted heroin detox followed by residential addiction treatment and a solid aftercare plan that includes 12-step recovery or an alternative offers the best chance of recovery.
As part of addiction treatment, those in recovery usually attend therapy to understand the factors that contribute to addiction. Usually, heroin addiction develops due to trauma or mental illness, but everyone is different. During treatment, behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help people uncover their bad habits and turn them into good habits, gaining the necessary skills for a life in recovery.
Addictions often co-occur with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, bipolar, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this reason, it is essential to learn healthy coping mechanisms for any mental health illness. Appropriate medications to aid mental health disorders can benefit a person’s overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse.
The Dangers of Heroin Relapse
Sadly, relapse is common. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that substance abuse relapse rates are approximately 40 to 60%. Relapse does not mean failure, though. For many, it is simply part of the recovery process. However, steps can and should always be taken to try and prevent it.
When a relapse happens, additional detox treatment is necessary. Although it may seem easier said than done, those in recovery should always try to avoid relapse if possible. In the event of a relapse, help is available. Many people also find that keeping in touch with their support system helps them remain on track and in recovery.
Recovery support can take many forms, including a 12-step program, ongoing therapy, family therapy, and emotional support from family and friends. There are additionally many support groups and communities for people living with sobriety.
Although detox treatment is short, sobriety is a lifelong effort that requires maintenance. Although it might seem impossible at the start, taking it one day at a time with the right people around you will make your recovery journey much easier.
Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?
Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.
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
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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.
Heroin Detox and Recovery Are Here
At NP Addiction Clinic, successful recovery is only a phone call away. We are always open, and we accept most private insurance plans that can cover your entire cost of treatment. A life in recovery is within reach and we can help you achieve it.
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