Heroin addiction can be particularly dangerous and can wreak havoc on a person’s mind, body, and life in general. However, with the help of professional addiction specialists, like our team at Legend’s Recovery, help is available. The first step in almost all drug abuse treatment cases is detox. Detox is an essential part of the process and sets a person up for success before and after treatment has ended.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a heroin or drug addiction, you are not alone. Legends Recovery is here to make the process safe and accessible for you and your loved ones. We’ll be highlighting what to expect during detox and how heroin detox can help you get started on your journey toward a better and healthier life.
Before understanding what detox is, it’s important to know what heroin is and the effects it can have on a person’s mind and body. Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive drug. It is a synthetic opioid that is derived from morphine. Heroin can be smoked, snorted, or injected. It produces a feeling of euphoria and well-being. Heroin can be injected, smoked, or snorted.
Heroin goes by many different names such as smack, junk, horse, brown sugar, skag, and dope. It is incredibly addictive and can even lead to fatal consequences in some cases. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Heroin enters the brain quickly and binds to opioid receptors on cells located in many areas, including those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure, the control of heart rate and breathing, and in the reward system of the brain. This binding creates a feeling of euphoria and well-being (a “rush”) and can also cause drowsiness, slowed breathing, and unconsciousness.
After heroin enters the brain, it is converted back to morphine. Morphine then binds to opioid receptors, which are located throughout the brain and spinal cord. These receptors are a part of the brain’s reward system, which is responsible for providing feelings of pleasure. The activation of opioid receptors by heroin also leads to slowed breathing and heart rate.
Long-term heroin use can cause changes in the brain that lead to addiction. With continued heroin use, tolerance develops, meaning that people need higher doses of heroin to achieve the same effects they experienced initially. This can eventually lead to a full-blown addiction with withdrawal symptoms to follow.
When someone abuses heroin, there are a few telling signs that can emerge. Several signs may indicate heroin abuse, including:
If you suspect that someone you know is abusing heroin, it’s important to get them help as soon as possible. Heroin addiction is a serious problem that can lead to death if left untreated. Heroin detox is the first step in getting help for heroin addiction.
Detoxification, or detox, is the first step in overcoming heroin addiction. During detox, the body rids itself of drugs and toxins. This can be a difficult and uncomfortable process. Through the process, a person is monitored to make sure that they are safe and managing their withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxing from heroin on your own, or “cold turkey,” can be very dangerous. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be intense and may even lead to life-threatening complications. Cold turkey detox can also increase the risk of relapse. That’s why professional detox programs are often the best option for people who are addicted to heroin.
When a person stops using heroin, after becoming addicted to it, their body will begin to experience uncomfortable and sometimes even painful symptoms. During the detox process, a person is monitored and taken care of to avoid any complications due to withdrawals.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:
Heroin withdrawal symptoms typically peak within one to three days after quitting and then gradually subside for five to 10 days. However, some people may experience heroin withdrawal symptoms for weeks or even months. Professional detox programs can help manage heroin withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process more comfortable.
Most heroin detox programs use a tapering schedule to help people gradually wean off the drug. Tapering involves slowly reducing the amount of heroin you use over time. This gives your body time to adjust to the change and helps minimize withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, medication may be used during heroin detox to help manage withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin detox programs also typically provide counseling and support services. This is important because heroin addiction is a mental health disorder as well as a physical one. Counseling can help you address the underlying issues that led to your heroin use. It can also teach you healthy coping skills for dealing with stress and triggers. Support groups can provide additional guidance and motivation during heroin detox and recovery. Participation in a heroin detox program can increase your chances of successfully quitting heroin for good.
Therapy is also used in tangent during heroin detox because addiction treatment also requires a healthy and positive mental state. Cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and individual therapy are some of the methods used for heroin addiction treatment at Legends Recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you to identify and change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your heroin addiction. Group therapy provides support and accountability as you recover from heroin addiction. Individual therapy gives you one-on-one time with a therapist to address the underlying causes of your heroin addiction.
The heroin detox process can last for a few days to a week. However, the physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal can last for several weeks. It’s important to have professional supervision during heroin detox to ensure your safety and comfort. Afterward, you can move on to more long-term treatment to address the underlying causes of your heroin addiction.
If you’re struggling with heroin addiction, there is help available. heroin detox can be a difficult and uncomfortable process, but there are professional treatment options that can make it more manageable. With the help of a heroin detox program, you can safely and effectively cleanse your body of the drug.
Afterward, you’ll be able to participate in counseling and therapy to address the underlying issues that led to your heroin use. Support groups can also provide guidance and motivation during heroin detox and recovery. Participation in a heroin detox program can greatly increase your chances of achieving long-term sobriety.
At Legends Recovery, we provide several options for heroin addiction treatment. Our main programs include:
If you are struggling with heroin addiction, residential treatment may be the right step for you. Residential treatment is a live-in treatment program that provides 24-hour care and supervision. This type of treatment is designed to help you recover from heroin addiction by providing a safe and structured environment where you can focus on your recovery. Residential treatment usually lasts for 30 days, but can be longer or shorter depending on your needs.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a type of treatment that is between outpatient and inpatient treatment. PHP allows you to live at home while you receive treatment for your heroin addiction during the day. You will participate in individual and group therapy sessions as well as other activities designed to help you recover from your heroin addiction. PHP usually lasts for 6-8 hours per day, 5-7 days per week.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are structured treatment programs that provide intensive therapy and counseling to people who are struggling with addiction. IOPs usually meet 3-5 times per week for 2-4 hours per session. IOPs can be very helpful for people who are working or going to school while they recover from their addiction.
At Legends, we pride ourselves on changing the lives of those struggling with heroin addiction or drug/alcohol addiction. As the first step of all addiction treatment cases, we make sure to provide quality detox care with you in mind. You are in safe hands at Legends Recovery. Don’t wait, get started toward a better life today – contact us today!
