Dramatized in many movies and television shows, heroin detox has become an almost mythical trope: people hallucinating babies, writhing on the floor, running screaming into the streets.
But what is the truth behind these searing images? What is it like to detox from heroin? And how can people suffering from heroin addiction get past these sensationalized stories to a life of freedom, health, and happiness?
Heroin detox is the initial and crucial stage in overcoming heroin addiction. While the symptoms can be difficult, they are entirely manageable, especially with detox and withdrawal management. What waits on the other side is a life free from the devastating effects of substance use disorder, and the tools to maintain sobriety in the face of whatever challenges may come.
Heroin Abuse: Its Causes and Symptoms
Due to its relative cheapness and availability compared to other drugs, heroin use has been increasing in the United States. Made from morphine, a main component of opium, heroin is highly addictive and fast-acting. It can be injected, snorted, or smoked, and is illegal to use in the United States.
The effect of heroin on users is similar to other opiates: an initial “rush” of euphoric feeling followed by hours of drowsiness and clouded mental function. After this initial, short-term effect, however, the dangerous long-term effects of heroin abuse set in.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, repeated heroin use changes the structure of the brain, “creating long-term imbalances that are not easily reversed.” Increased heroin use also increases tolerance, leading the user to need more and more of the drug to achieve the same “high.” This can lead to overdose, coma, and death.
It is important to remember that heroin use has consequences beyond the individual. Social consequences include spreading of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through contaminated needles, crime, violence, and fetal effects.
So what would cause someone to go down this dark path? Why would anyone begin using a drug that could harm not only them but also their communities?
Although there is not one clean answer to these questions, the link between trauma and drug abuse is well-documented. Particularly for those who have experienced childhood trauma (this can include a variety of experiences–consider taking an ACEs assessment test to determine if you might be suffering from an adverse childhood experience), life can become a series of efforts to ease the pain of those experiences.
Symptoms of heroin use disorder can include:
- Excessively borrowing or even stealing money
- Failing work, school, or family responsibilities
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Neglecting personal appearance and hygiene
- Dry mouth, itchiness, watery eyes
- Inconsistent sleep
- Weight loss
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Poor judgment
Though this is not an exhaustive list, it includes many common symptoms. If you or a loved one are experiencing several of them while using heroin, there’s a strong chance heroin use disorder is present.
Heroin Detox: The First Step
Maybe some of these symptoms are a bit too familiar. Perhaps you have been searching for “heroin detox centers near me” and are ready to take the first step towards sobriety and health.
Before long-term recovery can occur, the body must first rid itself of the toxins of heroin use. If you are wondering how long does it take to detox from heroin, the answer varies from person to person. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that major withdrawal symptoms usually peak 24-48 hours after the last use of heroin and often subside after one week.
So what are those symptoms? Common symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hot and cold flashes, sweating
- Diarrhea and abdominal cramps
- Anxiety, agitation, restlessness
- Elevated blood pressure
- Muscle and joint pain
Especially if you have underlying medical conditions, these symptoms can potentially be dangerous. Medically supervised detox at a drug detoxification center is recommended to achieve the safest, strongest start to recovery.
What to Expect After Heroin Detox
Once the question of how long to detox from heroin has been answered and your body has regained a sense of equilibrium, real long-term healing can begin. You have many choices in heroin rehab, from intensive outpatient to residential treatment.
While they vary in levels of support, with intensive inpatient at a drug rehab facility being the most immersive and supportive option, one thing these different treatment options have in common is an emphasis on addressing the root causes of addiction. Holistic residential treatment centers seek to address the whole person, from types of trauma they may have experienced to co-occurring mental illness.
After heroin detox, the focus shifts to building and maintaining lasting supports to lean on when the temptation to use again hits.
Find Long-Term Healing at Sana at Stowe in Vermont
If you or a loved one suspect you may be suffering from substance use disorder (consider taking a drug use screening test to gain perspective on your substance use), consider a stay at Sana at Stowe. A luxury rehab service nestled in the picturesque hills of Vermont, Sana understands the importance of compassionate and professional detox services within a trauma-informed care setting, where the focus is not only on physical withdrawal but also on creating a safe and supportive environment for the emotional and psychological aspects of early recovery.
Our holistic services include trauma informed yoga and trauma informed CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). While luxurious, they are also available to a wide range of patients, as Sana at Stowe accepts insurance through in-network providers such as TRICARE.
A Word From a Past Patient
Past patients attest, “Sana helped turn my life around and I feel confident that I can use the skills I gained here to live a happier, more fulfilling life.”
Do not hesitate to reach out for that kind of help, from initial detox to long-term recovery skills. Contact Sana at Stowe today. You are only one phone call away from speaking to one of our qualified professionals. Reach out to (802) 532-5277 now!
