Giving up drugs and alcohol can be a challenge for people dealing with heroin addiction. Their bodies have developed a dependency that makes it hard for them to imagine functioning without them. If you are battling a heroin habit, your brain has likely undergone chemical changes that make it crave higher amounts of heroin. That means you must keep taking in more to feel any effect, which puts you at risk of a drug overdose. Medical detox can help kickstart your system and put you on a path to recovery.
What Is Heroin Detox?
For many people, heroin detox is the first step in getting treatment for their addiction. Individuals with a heroin-related substance use disorder may have started off abusing prescription opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin. They may turn to heroin when they are no longer able to gain access to their prescriptions.
Withdrawing from heroin can cause symptoms that vary in severity, including:
- Nausea
- Chills
- Body aches
- Runny nose
- Sweats
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Tremors
- Anxiety
- Rapid heart rate
- Breathing problems
- Cravings
The physical and psychological side effects of heroin withdrawal can lead to life-threatening complications. Admitting yourself to heroin detox puts you in the care of medical professionals. They monitor your withdrawal symptoms and provide aid when you are having difficulties.
Most heroin symptoms set in within six to 12 hours of taking your last dose. They may peak around day two or three but last up to ten days. Heroin detox can make the withdrawal experience more comfortable and less traumatizing for clients.
Would You Benefit from Heroin Detox?
A heroin detox program allows you to rid your body of the drug’s influence in a controlled environment. Your brain and body start adjusting to the idea of functioning without heroin. You can choose to have the heroin detox center administer medications that can help with the symptoms of heroin withdrawal. People with a history of mental disorders or other health problems can benefit from having trained staff standing by to offer medical assistance as needed.
The environment provided by a heroin detox can help clients focus more on their recovery. They can start thinking about the next steps they want to take in the process, including admitting themselves into a residential treatment program for heroin abuse.
You may be a candidate for heroin detox if you don’t feel normal unless you are using the drug. Some people feel ambivalent about going through a detox program. They may think that they should be “strong” enough to kick the habit without help. However, going cold-turkey could put your health at risk if you suffer a medical emergency without proper supervision.
What Should I Do After Heroin Detox?
Heroin addiction is a chronic illness that requires consistent, long-term care once you complete a heroin detox. Many people choose to participate in a residential treatment program designed to help people dealing with heroin addiction. There, you get gain access to therapies and other treatments that address the root cause of your addiction.
Participating in a treatment program allows you to build supportive relationships with other clients. Those connections can be crucial to helping you remain sober while living in the outside world. You can also learn from and offer feedback to others who have undergone similar experiences with heroin detox and treatment.
Contact Midwest Detox Center Today
Midwest Detox Center understands that there are multiple ways for clients to achieve recovery. Heroin detox can be the start of a new life free of drug addiction. Our facility offers a variety of therapies that can help you work through the issues that contributed to your current heroin addiction, like:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Start your journey toward a heroin-free life today by calling Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392, or contact us online.
