Heroin Detox
Heroin addiction is one of the most devastating forms of drug dependence. In addition to the health hazards associated with long-term heroin use, individual who use needles to inject the drug into their bloodstream are putting themselves at great risk for HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis.
With so many serious consequences to heroin addiction, it is crucial that people who have a problem with heroin enter a drug rehab program immediately. Drug rehab for heroin addiction helps address the physical and psychological dependence on the substance. And the first step in this rehab process is detox.
What is Heroin Detox?
Heroin detox refers to the process of allowing the opiate toxins found in heroin to leave the bloodstream. The detox process is required for all those who wish to continue on with the remainder of the addiction treatment program. During detoxification the individual may experience heroin withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to the opiates leaving their system.
What are the Withdrawal Symptoms that Occur During Heroin Detox?
There are a number of common withdrawal symptoms – both physical and psychological – that recovering heroin addicts may experience when undergoing heroin detox, including:
- Sweats and chills
- Depression
- Paranoia
- Mood swings and volatile behavior
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sleepless and restlessness
Withdrawal symptoms cause discomfort because when an individual takes heroin, that drug replaces the functions in the brain that produce pleasure. When drugs (especially opiates such as heroin) are taken over a long period of time, the brain "forgets" how to produce pleasurable sensations on its own. Therefore, when the individual stops taking drugs during detox they will experience uncomfortable bouts of withdrawal.
What are the Different Types of Heroin Detox?
- Drug-free detox - Drug-free heroin detox is the most basic form of detox, during which the individual quits taking the drug "cold turkey" while under the supervisions of a medical professional who can help minimize withdrawal symptoms and the chance of relapse.
- Methadone detox – Methadone is a synthetic opiate that helps the individual ease off heroin by replacing the drug with another than mirrors its effect. During methadone detox the individual visits a clinic on a regular basis and receives carefully controlled doses of the substance. Methadone has helped millions of people get clean without heavy withdrawal symptoms, but a certain number of methadone addiction cases are reported every year.
- Suboxone detox – One of the most recent innovations in heroin detox is Suboxone. Suboxone is an alternative to methadone treatment in that the individual can self-administer this synthetic opiate on their own terms, in their own home much like any prescription medication. In addition to the high detox success rates experienced by those who take the drug, the removal of the "methadone clinic stigma" has made it the treatment of choice for many recovering heroin addicts.
Where does Heroin Detox Take Place?
Heroin detox can take place in any one of a variety of different settings, depending on the type of detox the individual has chosen. A methadone clinic, a drug rehab facility, or in the case of Suboxone, the home of the individual are all potential locations for drug detox related to heroin addiction.
Does Everybody make it Through Heroin Detox?
Not every individual completes heroin detox on their first try. Sometimes, the withdrawal symptoms associated with the procedure simply become too intense and the individual relapses back into heroin use. Those individuals who try unsuccessfully to complete heroin detox are urged to continue on in their efforts and use the support structures found in their friends, families and addiction treatment programs.
Michael's House is a residential drug rehab facility located in California's magnificent Palm Springs area. Michael's House provides full addiction treatment for heroin users who want to turn their lives around and experience all the great things life has to offer. Contact Michael's House today at for more information.
Get Help Now!
All information submitted on the website is considered private and handled in full confidentiality.
