Author: James Anderson
The Heroin Detoxification Process
During heroin detox, healthcare providers first monitor the patient’s vital signs and symptoms. Then, based on these symptoms, doctors will use medications like methadone or buprenorphine to ease withdrawal symptoms. Aside from MAT, heroin addiction treatment typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and group therapy. By properly detoxing from heroin, patients don’t have to suffer through severe withdrawal symptoms alone. Many heroin rehab centers offer detox programs where a trained medical provider guides patients.
Withdrawal treatment can be very safe when done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your individual characteristics, such as height and weight, and level of dependence can influence what you’re feeling. Withdrawal happens when your body is deprived of a substance it’s become used to.
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More than one million people have died since 1999 from a drug overdose. The U.S. opioid overdose death rate rose by 14% from 2020 to 2021. Some of these deaths happen because heroin is laced with other drugs, such as the powerful painkiller fentanyl.
Medical detoxification begins while there is still heroin in a person’s system, and the process usually lasts about five to seven days. It can take up to 10 days for those who were heavy, long-term users. People who become dependent on or misuse these drugs may start looking for a stronger, cheaper high. There’s no way to know what you’re taking or how strong it is. In addition to withdrawal symptoms, you may also experience side effects related to regular heroin use.
This evaluation will help you and your healthcare team gauge the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. If this happens, it’ll take more and more of the drug for your body to achieve the desired effects. If you decrease how much heroin you’re using, or stop using it completely, your body will feel this imbalance acutely. In addition to friends and medical professionals, there are also online resources that can help you during heroin withdrawal. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous offer information and resources that can help you during your recovery.
More severe symptoms can also occur, such as difficulty breathing, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This article discusses the symptoms you can expect during heroin withdrawal and how to cope. It also covers long-term treatment options that can help you recover from addiction. Relapse is a common issue for those with a heroin addiction, so it’s important to also understand how to manage a relapse.
Heroin Detoxification Process
Through support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and SMART Recovery, recovering addicts can connect with others in recovery and receive peer support after treatment. Discuss heroin detox options with your doctor to find the best fit for your needs. Vomiting and aspiration are two of the most common symptoms and serious symptoms of detox. Treatment may also include joining a recovery support group, like Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. You may also be asked to offer a urine sample for testing to see whether any other drugs in your system may be contributing to your symptoms. Because there’s no blood test to diagnose withdrawal, your symptoms may need to be evaluated along with your current rate of heroin use.
- If you are struggling with heroin addiction, understand you’re not alone in your fight to get clean.
- You can experience withdrawal from many things, like not having your regular morning coffee.
- Heroin withdrawal usually lasts an average of seven days, depending on the severity of your addiction.
- Medications can make it easier to wean your body off heroin and reduce cravings.
Many people addicted to opiates like heroin require some medications to help them through withdrawal and curb the intense cravings. Medications for heroin use disorder are safe, effective, and save lives. Aside from medical complications, withdrawal alone may worsen the potential for relapse.
What are the symptoms of heroin withdrawal?
Aftercare programs are usually offered as part of heroin addiction treatment to help you avoid relapse and stay sober in the weeks, months, and years following treatment. Aftercare may involve support groups, 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous, and ongoing education aimed at promoting long-term sobriety. Recovering from heroin addiction can be a lifelong journey, which is why aftercare programs are vital to keeping you on track with staying clean.
This is why heroin can lead to a condition known as heroin use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms can be the result of your brain encouraging you to provide it with more of the drug. While heroin is in your system, your body incorporates it into its balance. Suddenly stopping or decreasing the amount of heroin you’re using will send out the alert you need more. You may experience slow gastric emptying and effects, such as vomiting and constipation. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, for example, has its own high concentration of mu receptors.
What are the causes of withdrawal?
It was originally developed as a medication to treat pain, but its likelihood to cause physical dependence has made it a popular recreational drug. A healthcare professional can help you determine if what you’re feeling may indicate heroin withdrawal. Behavioral approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management are two types of therapy that are often used to treat heroin addiction. As you go through heroin withdrawal, you may experience an overproduction of bodily fluids, such as sweat, tears, and a runny nose. As with other physical withdrawal symptoms, these responses are part of your body bringing itself into balance.
Detoxification is the first step in recovery from heroin addiction. Many people start using heroin to deal with anxiety, worries, and other stressors. One study found that 75% of users had mental health issues such as depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.