Everything You Need to Know About Heroin Detox

The heroin epidemic is out of control and its victims in need of a good heroin detox program continue to multiply as the deadly drug spreads in availability, even to small towns. In an article by NBC affiliate KTUU News out of Alaska, a bust worth nearly $300,000 in heroin was made in Bethel--a little town you probably never heard of. The bust resulted from an ongoing investigation launched by the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit and the Bethel Police Department. Imagine: if heroin is sinking its fangs into small-town Alaska, imagine its depth in large urban and suburban areas. If heroin has hurt someone you care about, and you are considering a detox treatment center to help return your loved one to good health, here is what to expect through detoxification.

What is Detox?

Detoxification is your body’s natural process of voiding itself of opiates or other harsh substances. The time it takes for a full detox, and the withdrawal symptoms, all depend on how long the person used the drug, how often, and their current health status. Heroin detox is one of the most difficult to go through, and when the most attempt to do it on their own, little success is met.

What are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

Acute opioid withdrawal syndrome goes hand-in-hand with several classic symptoms that people experience when they stop using heroin. These symptoms can start as soon as within six hours of the last usage. On average the harshest period (or peak) occurs roughly three or four days after the last dose. Without medicine and proper care, the withdrawal period can cause permanent psychological damage, permanent injury, and even death. General heroin withdrawal symptoms include:

● Severe anxiety
● Depression
● Strong heroin cravings
● Painful stomach cramps
● Hot and cold sweats
● Inability to sleep
● Diarrhea
● Painful muscle cramps and joint pain
● Vomiting
● Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
● Fever

How to go through Heroin Detox

Detox is the first stage of making a full recovery, and the gentler your detox period is the better prepared your body and mind will be to interact with and successfully complete the various stages of the rehabilitation process. Relying on methadone is one option, and one with not very favorable outcomes. The idea is to slowly get off heroin by introducing small amounts of the drug into your system until you no longer crave it. However, the success rate for this is low and it can lead to complications. The fastest and safest way to detox from heroin is rapid detox through the Waismann Method-a humane approach to heroin detoxification that offers anesthesia-assisted detoxification with 24-hour ongoing medical care. With methods like this, patients under sedation receive superior results, as they are not subjected to the horrors of detox. The withdrawal symptoms they do experience are minimal, compared to what they would typically encounter being fully awake to face the pain.

What are Heroin Detox Challenges?

For many, the pain experienced in fighting through heroin cravings is too much to tolerate, and they either relapse or wind up hurting themselves. This is where the vicious cycle comes to play: the agony of withdrawal is too great, so they take a dose to get through it while somehow convincing themselves that the next time they try quitting it won’t be as difficult.

Finding Support through Heroin Detox

The good news is you don’t have to go through it alone. When you prepare to check into a medically licensed rapid detox center, look for one that has a good reputation with past patients who speak highly of the care quality. Many such treatment centers are staffed by loving caregivers sympathetic to the patient, and doctors who are passionate about saving lives by offering a superior class of safe heroin detox programs. Many of these facilities have private rooms with 24/7 access to support staff, therapy groups, and ongoing outpatient treatments. Some of these treatment centers offer luxury, spa-like amenities while others are more standard but still provide exceptional care.

Finally, look for a rapid detox treatment center that can work with your family and friends. Often, loved ones are left hurt and may feel betrayed by the heroin user, while the recovering addict is often in a place where they genuinely regret past actions but don’t know how to approach the people they hurt. Many facilities offer mediation and family counseling as part of their services and having support from loved ones in addition to treatment from a top heroin detox center offers the best path to a full recovery and happy life ahead.