What You Need to Know About Heroin Detox
One of the most addictive drugs in the world, heroin is a killer that destroys lives and families with equal ease. Every year, heroin overdoses claim the lives of thousands of people from all walks of life. It is a dangerous drug that also contributes to the spreading the infectious diseases such as AIDS by the sharing of dirty needles during intravenous use.
Making the decision to get help and conquer heroin addiction is one of the most important decisions an individual will ever make. The road to recovery will be difficult, and it begins with heroin detox, the first step towards freeing oneself of the drug.
Heroin detox refers to the process of allowing the toxins associated with the heroin to leave the individual's body. There are two major types of heroin detox: medical detox and holistic detox. Each comes at treatment from a different direction, but both have the same end-goal: to free the body of harmful toxins, and diminish physical cravings for the drug so that the rest of the rehab process can begin.
Medical Heroin Detox
Medical detox is accomplished by medication, usually in the form of methadone or sedatives as a means for the detoxification to take place. The pharmaceuticals used in medical heroin detox are carefully monitored by a doctor to remove the chance of overdose, or addiction to a second drug altogether.
Holistic Heroin Detox
Holistic detox programs utilize nutrition and Eastern forms of medicine to assist with the detox process. Holistic heroin detox may include: acupuncture, nutrition counseling, massage therapy, homeopathy, chiropractic treatment and other traditional means.
Whichever method of treatment the individual selects, the time it takes to complete the detox process will generally run between 3 to 5 days. This is the amount of time that the individual can expect to experience discomfort as a result of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal is something almost everyone who goes through heroin detox will have to experience.
Withdrawal symptoms from heroin include: vomiting, goose bumps, diarrhea, insomnia, chills, fever, fear, anxiety and depression.
While these symptoms are rarely life-threatening in and of themselves, they DO present a different problem. For the individual who has been addicted to heroin, these symptoms can be excruciating. For that reason, the withdrawal symptoms period of detox is when an individual is at the highest risk of relapse. That is why it is so important that heroin detox takes place in a safe environment, with a caring professional present. They can help the individual through the tough times, and provide them with proper encouragement so they won't run the risk of relapse.
Michael's House, offers a variety of different detox and rehab programs, and works hard to find the ones that meet the needs of each individual. Located in the serene California desert town of Palm Springs, Michael's House offers top-notch care to those who seek a new life, free of the bonds of heroin addiction. Few residential rehab programs treat the individual with as much care and expert-knowledge as Michael's House. Contact them today at 1-877-345-8494 for enrollment information.
