Detoxing from heroin is essential for a full recovery. While treatment can be daunting, preparing yourself and understanding the process can bring some relief. Heroin addiction will never lead to a healthy life, no matter how hard you reason. Heroin detox allows you to clear your body of any remaining toxins and start a fresh recovery. Learn more about heroin addiction, detoxification, and what you can expect during heroin detox.
Understanding Heroin Addiction
Considered the most abused opioid, heroin is a dangerously addictive drug. Heroin is created from morphine and is usually injected, snorted, sniffed, and smoked. When heroin is ingested and interacts with the brain, it leads to a “rush” or euphoric feeling. While the high is pleasurable, the negative short-term effects of heroin use include dry mouth, severe itching, falling back and forth between conscious and unconscious, and more.
While these side effects are unfavorable, the long-term effects are even worse. Some long-term effects of heroin use can include insomnia, collapsed veins, heart infections, abscesses, liver disease, sexual dysfunction, and more. Heroin addiction will quickly take over a person’s life and deteriorate their health.
Overdose is also an extremely likely possibility when struggling with heroin addiction. When experiencing a heroin overdose, a person’s breathing will become dangerously slow or even completely stop. Decreased oxygen to the brain can lead to hypoxia. There are various possible effects on the nervous system from hypoxia, but the most detrimental include permanent brain damage and even coma.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 13,165 people died from a heroin overdose in 2020 alone. Due to it being an illegal drug, there’s no way to know what is in a single dose or how potent it is. As a result, the chances of a potential overdose are much higher than legal substances. To save your or a loved one’s life, detoxification and treatment are critical.
Heroin Detox and Withdrawal
Heroin detox is done to confirm that all heroin is removed from a person’s body and for medical professionals to supervise their withdrawal symptoms. When detoxing from heroin, an individual will experience withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone stops using the addictive drug. Some heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia and sleep issues
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Drug cravings
- Restlessness and anxiousness
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
While these withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant, they are a clear sign that the residual heroin is leaving the body. During heroin detox, medical supervision will be present to ensure an individual’s safety and manage any discomfort. With medically-assisted detox, you can ensure that you will cleanse your body and be ready to begin treatment.
What to Expect During Heroin Detox
Heroin detox can take place in either inpatient or outpatient; it depends on what the individual chooses. For more intense cases, inpatient detox is recommended. This way, the individual can experience round-the-clock medical supervision and care. The detox timeline depends on how long a person was abusing the drug or how strong their doses were. Heroin detox can take weeks, months, or even longer. What matters most is focusing on cleansing rather than rushing the process.
Heroin detox can be dangerous and should always be done under medical supervision. That’s why it’s recommended never to detox on your own. The risk of relapse is at higher risk when done alone as the symptoms are uncomfortable. While heroin detox may take time, completing it doesn’t mark the end of your rehabilitation.
After detox is complete and the body no longer contains any heroin, a treatment program usually begins. While each rehabilitation center has varying programs and methods, heroin treatment most often includes different forms of therapy, creating new hobbies, and planning for a sober future.
Heroin Detox at Avalon Malibu
At Avalon Malibu, we include three stages of detox: evaluation, stabilization, and entry into treatment. Evaluation is when our expert staff determines a person’s specific needs and creates a detox and treatment plan. Not every person’s case is the same, which means we alter treatments to a person’s unique history.
Stabilization is when the detox process occurs, and the individual begins to remove any toxins left in the body. Over time, the individual’s withdrawal symptoms will lessen, and they will be able to acclimate to a drug-free life, physically and emotionally. Once the detox process is completed, the individual will begin their entry into treatment.
Our facility offers a mixture of scientifically-proven therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and holistic approaches. Some of our therapeutic methods include art therapy, aftercare planning, yoga, and much more. Avalon Malibu is a luxury rehabilitation facility that can help you get the strong start you need to recover from heroin addiction.
Heroin abuse is dangerous, and detox is the only way to regain control of your life. If you or a loved one is in need of detox, Avalon Malibu can help. We offer various levels of treatment to assist you on your journey to sobriety. Since we have an in-depth process, from entry to aftercare, our facility is exceptional. Every program at Avalon Malibu provides various treatment options, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient psychotherapy with medication management. These treatment programs are offered in addition to mental health care and detoxification. Whatever your situation, you can find support and understanding at Avalon Malibu. Learn more about our heroin detox and treatment by calling (844) 857-5992.
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