Heroin is an opioid drug made from the seeds of poppy plants. It generally appears as a white or brown powder, though there is a variant that resembles a black sticky substance that is known as ‘black tar heroin.’
Heroin has numerous street names and numerous ways in which people use heroin, including smoking, injecting, and snorting. Opioid use can come with some risks, not the least of which is addiction, which can lead to dependence and tolerance.
Heroin is illegal in the United States, and the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means that it has no accepted medical use as well as a high risk of misuse.
There are a lot of people who have misused heroin and have become dependent on drug use, and they will need treatment to overcome that dependence.
Luxe Recovery is a private treatment center in an upscale neighborhood in the City of Angels. We offer world-class, personalized addiction treatment to help people overcome their concerns and build sober lives.
An Overview of Heroin Addiction
Heroin use is a concern in the United States, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that in 2021, 0.4 percent of all people over the age of 12 used heroin. This represents about 1.1 million people.
While not all of the people who have taken the drug will develop heroin addiction, opioid use is still a major public health concern. Because of this, it is imperative to treat an addiction to drugs like heroin, and the first step in treatment is detox.
Understanding Heroin Detox
Heroin detox is the process by which a person purges their body. This can be incredibly uncomfortable and may cause a person to experience withdrawal symptoms. That said, detox is the first step in a comprehensive treatment program and is a vital part of recovering from the use of heroin.
There are two ways to detox. The first is by checking into a specialized facility and being monitored 24/7 by a team of healthcare professionals. This team will also administer medication to help manage symptoms.
The other way to detox is through an outpatient program. Some patients can gradually taper down their use of heroin until it gets to zero. They will also regularly check in with a medical professional who will monitor their progress and adjust their program as needed.
Is It a Good Idea to Detox by Yourself?
It is not advisable to detox without medical supervision, even in an outpatient program. Detoxing from heroin can sometimes bring about opioid withdrawal symptoms, which can vary in intensity based on a patient’s use of heroin and their health. These symptoms can be distressing and can often require professional help to manage properly.
Physical Symptoms of Withdrawal from Heroin
Withdrawing from heroin can cause a person to suffer physical discomfort. Some of the physical signs of heroin withdrawal can manifest at different times:
6 to 12 Hours
6 to 12 hours after the last use of heroin, a person may experience frequent yawning, muscle aches, restlessness, a runny nose, profuse sweating, and insomnia.
24 to 72 Hours
24 to 72 after a person’s last dose of heroin, they can experience severe muscle and bone pain, goosebumps, and high blood pressure. They may also have a rapid heartbeat, chills, tremors, dilated pupils, nausea, and diarrhea.
Later Symptoms
Beyond 72 hours, it is normal for a person to develop cravings for heroin, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue. Symptoms may also include a general sense of discomfort.
Psychological Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
A person who is in withdrawal from heroin may also suffer a number of psychological and behavioral symptoms. They can become depressed and/or anxious as well as become more irritable.
How to Detox from Heroin
Detoxing from heroin is not just about stopping drug use. A person may need support to manage their cravings as well as the physical and mental health effects of heroin withdrawal as the body and mind acclimate to the absence of the drug.
Detoxing from heroin needs to be thorough and will often include some of the following:
Evaluation
The first part of any treatment program is evaluating a patient. At this phase, a care team will work closely with the patient to assess their needs and develop a personalized care plan based on their history and treatment goals. This personalized plan will allow patients to get the care they need using the treatment options to which they will be most responsive.
Supervised Withdrawal
During detox, a person will generally be under medical supervision. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will monitor the patient and provide constant care.
Therapists and counselors will offer emotional support, help patients develop coping strategies to manage their withdrawal symptoms, and help them get through the next phases of their treatment.
Patients can also attend support groups during their detox, as they can provide an invaluable source of support during the detox phase of treatment.
Follow-up Treatment
Detox is not a standalone cure for addiction. Other treatment options, such as follow-up counseling, group therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and behavioral therapies, have to be used to comprehensively help people overcome their addiction to heroin.
Manage Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms at Luxe Recovery
The first step of any journey is often the hardest, and detox can be difficult to endure. But it is a vital step in the recovery journey, not just because it clears the mind and body but also because it can lift the spirit.
Many people who struggle with addiction can feel guilt or shame as if their addiction were the product of some character flaw or moral failure. They may feel as if they were too weak to rise above their urge to use the drug.
But detox can help a person in recovery feel strong again. Because it is so hard, getting through it can show someone that they aren’t weak. They were just never shown how strong they could be.
At Luxe Recovery, we’ll help you through every step of the recovery process, including detox, and show you how strong you truly are. We take most forms of insurance.
