Heroin Detox
In 2016, there were a reported 948,000 people abusing heroin. This number continues to grow, just as it has since 2007. With more people than ever before abusing heroin, subsequent overdose rates have also increased. Approximately 130 people die each day in the United States from an opioid overdose, many of which involve heroin. Additionally, about 80% of people who currently abuse heroin abused prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone first. The need for heroin detox is bigger than ever.
In places like Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, rates of heroin abuse are at an all-time high and even surpass the national average. And while many other states in the country do not experience the opioid epidemic as severely, there is seemingly no city or town in the United States that hasn’t been touched by opioids like heroin.
Heroin Addiction and Dependence
Heroin is extremely addictive. It is so addictive that abusing it for just a few days can get a person hooked. And, once hooked on heroin, the only way to go is down.
A heroin addiction that is not treated and left to worsen is deadly. Not only is it deadly because of the physical damage it can cause, but the psychological symptoms can also lead to death (e.g. suicidal behavior). Anytime a person is under the influence of heroin, they can suffer an accidental death via a fall, car accident, or overdose. If you are addicted to heroin, chances are you may be experiencing these potentially life-threatening issues or exhibiting symptoms of heroin addiction, including:
- Continuing to use despite suffering consequences related to your heroin use
- Making attempts to stop using but not being able to stay sober
- Placing great importance on your heroin use to the point where it replaces other responsibilities in your life
- Experiencing trouble at work, up to and including termination due to heroin-related issues
- Suffering interpersonal problems as a result of your heroin use
One of the most frightening consequences of heroin addiction is the risk of dependence. Dependence occurs when you are unable to go without heroin (or any other addictive substance) without experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms represent your body’s need for heroin, which is usually what keeps most people continuing to use.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Depending on the severity of your heroin addiction, the withdrawal symptoms you experience may range from uncomfortable to debilitating. Generally, heroin withdrawal symptoms begin to subside around one week after the last use. Prior to that, however, symptoms can begin as little as six hours after the last use and increase in severity until they hit their peak, which is usually 1-3 days in. It is important to reiterate that heroin withdrawal symptoms can vary based on how severe your addiction is (as well as other factors), however, they often include the following:
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pains
- Sweats and chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cravings
There is no doubt that heroin withdrawal is challenging. The symptoms themselves can be so upsetting that heroin addicts believe it to be a better option to go back to using. You do not have to put yourself in that position. Heroin detox can help.
What to Expect in Heroin Detox
If you are dependent on heroin, the first thing you should do when you decide it is time to get sober is getting into a heroin detox. In heroin detox, you can get the support you need to make it through your withdrawal.
The first thing you can expect when being admitted into heroin detox is to receive an assessment from the professionals on staff. That assessment will help them determine which modalities may work best for you. Once you are settled in your own space and are in the throes of detox, medical staff can help make the process easier by providing medications for your symptoms. Some symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, and headaches, can be easily treated with over-the-counter medications. But what is most unique about heroin detox is the opportunity to receive FDA-approved medications designed specifically for opioid addicts in recovery.
Both methadone and Suboxone are medications that can help to minimize withdrawal symptoms and decrease the intensity of cravings. When combined with therapy, the use of these medications is known as medication-assisted treatment or MAT. If you begin taking methadone or Suboxone while in heroin detox, the best thing you can do for yourself is to continue on and obtain therapy once you have completed detox.
Heroin detox can feel different, depending on the manner in which an individual completes the process.
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- Opioid Assisted Heroin Detox
- Traditional Heroin Detox
- Rapid Opiate Heroin Detox
While each of these provides a slightly different experience for the addict, the process of heroin detox from within the body is the same. Heroin binds to the opiate receptor in the brain. once addicted to the drug, the individual experiences extremely uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal upon cessation of use.
Opioid Assisted Heroin Detox
Many heroin addicts refuse to get sober from the drug because of fear of withdrawal symptoms that occur when there is no heroin, or another opioid to bind to the opiate receptors in the brain. Opioid assisted heroin detox is a way to avoid the acute withdrawal symptoms caused by an abrupt cessation of heroin use.
The term opioid refers to synthetic opiates, such as painkillers. The opioids used in this form of heroin detox are typically either Suboxone® or methadone. Both are very long-acting, 72 and 36 hours respectively, and have the same qualities as heroin regarding their binding ability to the opiate receptors in the brain.
Although physicians have prescribed methadone for many decades as an opiate maintenance drug for recovering heroin addicts, it can still be abused. Addicts can still get high from the misuse of the drug. Suboxone® contains Naltrexone, which is an opiate antagonist. It too binds very tightly to the opiate receptors in the brain. However, the Naltrexone in it produces a “ceiling effect” that prevents the euphoria associated with all other opioids and opiates.
How Does Opioid Assisted Detox Work?
The way opioid assisted heroin detox works is by placing an addict on a strict prescription and schedule of either methadone or Suboxone® in replacement of heroin. Since both drugs are opioids, the addict will not experience the full onset of heroin withdrawal symptoms, and instead will likely feel a low-grade type of malaise at the beginning of the process.
The dosage is gradually reduced over a period of several weeks. While withdrawal symptoms will still be present, an addict will not experience them to the full extent of their severity throughout the process. This type of heroin detox can take as long as 30 days, and longer in some cases. Opioid assisted heroin detox can be a long process. It can still produce protracted symptoms of depression and cravings long afterward.
This form of heroin detox is preferred for individuals who have a long history of heroin addiction. It is also recommended for those who have previously failed at heroin detox.
Traditional Heroin Detox
Traditional heroin detox is typically completed in a detox facility. It can take 5-14 days. Thus, this is not a cold-turkey method.
The length of time it takes to complete this form of heroin detox depends on a few factors:
- The individual’s health
- Usage of other addictive drugs from which the individual needs to withdraw
- The nature and severity of heroin addiction
During traditional heroin detox, an individual will admit him or herself into a detox center (usually as a part of an addiction treatment program). Medical staff monitors the patient for health and safety reasons. Also, the medical staff can administer medications to alleviate high blood pressure, insomnia, and anxiety. This can facilitate sleep and a calmer environment in which the individual can complete his or her heroin detox.
Additionally, in traditional heroin detox, vitamin supplements and nutritious meals are essential aspects, as the body is going through a jarring process and needs revitalization on a regular basis.
During traditional heroin detox, acute withdrawal symptoms are commonplace, and it is never a particularly pleasant experience for any addict. The symptoms of heroin withdrawal are not life-threatening. Plus, the addict is under constant care. Therefore, this form of detoxification is safe and has a very high success rate. Traditional heroin detox results in complete removal of opiates and all addictive substances from the system of the addict.
Rapid Opiate Heroin Detox
Most often referred to as ultra-rapid opiate detox (UROD), this inpatient medical procedure is currently only used for opiate and opioid detox. During this process, an addict will check him or herself into a hospital where the detox will take place. This may be a part of an inpatient drug rehab program. However, it is not covered by any medical insurance plan. Costing a minimum of $5,000, rapid heroin detox removes heroin from an addict’s system in as little as 24 hours.
The process is as follows:
- The individual receives general anesthesia.
- The patient receives an IV opiate antagonist, (usually Naltrexone).
- The opiate antagonist immediately removes the heroin from the opiate receptors in the brain. This initiates an instant and full withdrawal from heroin.
- Specialists monitor the patient to prevent any unforeseen complications. Typically, the individual can have muscle spasms.
- Once the heroin and its toxins have been removed, the individual is awakened. He or she is checked for stability and subsequently released from the hospital, heroin free.
Adverse Effects of Rapid Heroin Detox
It is important to understand rapid heroin detox, as it is not without adverse effects.
- Individuals who undergo this process feel tired, sore, lethargic, and may still feel residual withdrawal symptoms. Some also experience protracted symptoms such as cravings and depression for several weeks or months afterward.
- In some cases, benzodiazepines are prescribed. This drug eases the post-procedural symptoms of unease and discomfort.
- With any procedure involving general anesthesia, it is important to understand the risks. Always seek medical advice before engaging in a rapid heroin detox using general anesthesia.
Do You Need Help for Your Heroin Addiction?
At A Forever Recovery, we understand how difficult it can be to live with an addiction to heroin. We can help you stop your active use and provide you with the tools you need in order to stay sober for the long haul.
So, do not wait another minute more. Call us right now. We can help.
