When a person stops using heroin, their body needs time to recover from addiction. Heroin addiction recovery includes two parts, a heroin detox program that flushes out the toxins and the healing process afterward. The first part of the recovery process causes mild to severe heroin withdrawal symptoms. This stage of recovery is known as detoxification.
How long detox lasts depends on several factors such as:
- The length of the addiction
- The amount of heroin used
- How the person took the drug
- If the person used other drugs or alcohol
- The medical condition of the individual
Since it is challenging to determine how long detox will take or the severity of the withdrawal symptoms, detoxing on your own can be both dangerous and ineffective. For this reason, you may want to consider checking into a drug and alcohol detox center in Florida as you go through your heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Common Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild irritations to severe life-threatening side effects. Early symptoms may include:
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
Late withdrawal symptoms may include vomiting, hallucinations, mood swings, abdominal cramping, changes in appetite, or seizures. You may also experience high blood pressure or increased heart rate.
Pre-Detox Screening
Before you begin your detox program, a treatment specialist may sit down with you to go over your current medical condition. If heroin use has led to any health problems, then you will want to share these with the specialist.
It is common for a medical professional to conduct a routine physical exam to check your vitals and overall health. Also, they may run further tests such as a blood test, liver test, blood count, chest x-ray, ECG, or a hepatitis C, HIV, or tuberculosis test. Assessment is important, as it gives the specialist an idea of what symptoms you can expect or what medical emergencies to prepare for.
Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Detox centers provide a variety of treatments for heroin withdrawal to help you with heroin withdrawal symptoms. Treatments may include:
Medication
There are several types of medications available to you that can reduce the effects of your withdrawal symptoms and help you manage your cravings during medical detox. This is a short-term medication that prevents you from becoming addicted to the drug. The medication can help relieve your discomfort.
Emergency Care
Heroin is a dangerous drug. As such, it can produce intense withdrawal symptoms after your last use. A medical team will be on hand to monitor your condition 24/7 and provide instant emergency care if you have a life-threatening side effect. In most cases, emergency care is not required. However, there are risks that you need to be aware of so you don’t attempt detox on your own.
Don’t Do Detox Alone. Contact Summit Detox Today
If you are planning to stop using heroin, then we can help. Summit Detox offers comprehensive care and full facilities that can help you through your heroin withdrawal symptoms. Contact us by calling (888) 995-5265 to get started with your treatment today. We are here to help you take the first step toward lasting recovery.
