It is common for those who are struggling to wonder what to expect during heroin detox. Overcoming the challenges that addiction to heroin causes can be difficult for anyone going through it. However, healing and recovery are possible.
With the proper care and support, getting better and living a healthier, happier lifestyle can be a reality. Having addiction professionals to turn to during this time can make the process smoother, as well as contribute to its success.
Benefits of Professional Heroin Detox
Addiction to heroin is an epidemic that is affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approximately 1.1 million people ages 12 and older in 2021 reported using heroin in the last 12 months.
Of those people, about 1 million reported having a heroin addiction in that 12-month period. The number of Americans affected by heroin addiction is staggering. Most require professional help to overcome their addiction. Thus, understanding the benefits of professional heroin detox can be a key factor in someone reaching out for help and getting this
much-needed care to overcome addiction. Some benefits include safety, comfort, and the ability to have the care and support of addiction professionals who can assist someone who is trying to better their life. These professionals can make a huge difference in the outcome of the detox process, as well as help with teaching necessary life skills to combat addiction on a daily basis.
Heroin Detox Versus Going Cold Turkey
Using the cold turkey method when trying to overcome heroin addiction can be dangerous. Heroin detox provides a safe and constructive environment for someone to begin their healing process, and learn positive coping skills. When someone tries to quit by going cold turkey, it can often result in relapse. This is mainly due to the fact that heroin detox is difficult, and the withdrawal symptoms are extremely uncomfortable.
When someone seeks professional help in order to overcome addiction to heroin, they can be provided with a supportive environment in which these symptoms of heroin withdrawal can be treated and alleviated. Having a more comfortable experience can help contribute to long-lasting recovery.
Benefits of Hands-On Heroin Detox
In a professional heroin detox setting, individuals are not only monitored to make sure that they can get through this process safely, but they also receive much-needed medical and psychological support. Often, individuals struggling with heroin addiction also begin struggling with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
If these conditions are left untreated, they can further disrupt their everyday life and contribute to relapse. Professional support and monitoring can help with the treatment of these underlying conditions and lead to long-term recovery from addiction. Proper professional care when trying to overcome heroin addiction is also helpful when it comes to learning vital life skills.
Someone who has lived a life of addiction often needs support in learning or relearning everyday life skills. These skills can help the individual cope with stressors that arise, and continue living a drug-free lifestyle.
Medications Used During Heroin Detox
For heroin detox, the medications used to alleviate the symptoms help individuals achieve the goal of removing the toxins from their system. These medications can include things from antidepressants to assist with symptoms of depression, to things like buprenorphine to help alleviate physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Along with helping the symptoms be less intense, these medications also assist in fending off cravings for the drug. Cravings are a contributing factor to many relapses, and having this help can prevent this from happening.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Heroin withdrawal symptoms are extremely uncomfortable. They often lead to relapse in those trying to overcome addiction to heroin, resulting in the addiction cycle continuing. These symptoms can include:
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Sweating and goosebumps
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
The more mild symptoms usually arise within a few hours of the last use. Within the first 3 days, these symptoms can peak, and the more severe symptoms may arise. Day 4 can bring subsiding of these symptoms, and they usually begin to pass within a week. Alleviating the symptoms of heroin detox is helpful when trying to heal and overcome addiction. Professional medical detox can help with this process.
Detox and Therapy
Heroin detox is a process in which around-the-clock medical care is available to help with withdrawal symptoms. It helps prevent complications during the withdrawal process and helps individuals seeking recovery to overcome addiction with minimal discomfort.
Therapies provided during a detox program can be beneficial to the individual struggling. These therapies assist with learning new and necessary skills for living a drug-free lifestyle. Individuals struggling with heroin addiction should seek professional help to gain this knowledge and benefit from the services provided.
Get Professional Heroin Detox Now
Heroin is a potent opioid that can wreak havoc and cause devastation in the lives of those who are struggling. From loss of job and fractured relationships to significant health concerns, struggling with this drug can be extremely difficult to overcome.
There is help available to make the process of ending heroin abuse easier. If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin, we can help. At Brentwood Springs we offer help for individuals trying to overcome heroin addiction. Our team of professionals is standing by to help as you begin this journey of recovery.
Call us now and begin your journey of healing.
