The initial step on every journey of recovering from heroin addiction is admission to a medical detox center. Individuals abusing heroin for any period of time almost always undergo some degree of withdrawal when they stop using.
It’s important to understand heroin withdrawal symptoms because there is extreme discomfort that occurs during heroin detox which can make it easy for the person struggling with substance use disorder to quit before the process is over. This is part of the reason why entering into an inpatient heroin detox program is so important.Â
One major reason for the severity of heroin’s effects is its potency. Pure heroin is 10-20% morphine, with the remainder being other chemicals. Even small doses have more opium than most other addictive substances.
Medical detoxification, or medical detox, is an essential first step in the recovery process from substance use disorder. Heroin addiction isn’t the result of questionable morals or poor willpower. Due to chemical changes in the brain that occur with regular use, people struggle with impulses and self-control.
Heroin addiction is a chronic condition marked by compulsive drug seeking, without regard to the harmful consequences. Breaking the physical need to continue using heroin is the first step in the recovery journey.
The withdrawal symptoms for heroin begin in the first 24 hours (sometimes as soon as four hours) from the last use.
Within 36 to 72 hours, a user will be at its worst and last seven to 10 days. These are going to be the most intense withdrawal symptoms.
After a couple of weeks, you’re going to start to feel better. Because of heroin’s half-life, it can take up to five weeks for the drug to leave your system completely.Â
The reward circuitry in an addict’s brain is quite literally changed by this repeated exposure to powerfully rewarding drugs like heroin – causing long-lasting cravings and related behaviors that develop into habits (i.e., addiction).Â
Prolonged drug use causes neurochemical adaptations in specific brain regions so that sobriety feels uncomfortable or painful until you return to using while high on opiates – or until you seek help at a detox center or rehab facility.
After detox is complete, it is typically time to move to inpatient rehab. Treatment planning to make sure you receive the appropriate treatment and level of care begins as soon as you or your loved one is admitted to our detox program.
In most cases, our inpatient detox program lasts for between 3 days and 14 days, depending on the unique needs of each individual client (though clients tend to stay for roughly seven days on average). There are several factors that might influence the discharge planning process. These factors include:
Making the decision to seek treatment for addiction is a huge step in the right direction, but it’s only the beginning. After detox, what’s next? Many people choose to transition into residential treatment, and for good reason.
Residential treatment provides a safe and supportive environment where clients can focus on their recovery without any distractions. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of residential treatment and why it’s often the best option for a successful recovery.
One of the main benefits of residential treatment is that it provides a distraction-free environment. This is important because addiction recovery requires a lot of focus and dedication. In treatment, you’ll have the opportunity to work on yourself without any outside distractions or temptations.
Another benefit of residential treatment is that you’ll be surrounded by other people who are also on the journey to recovery. This can create a sense of community and support, which is essential for success. In treatment, you’ll also have access to experienced professionals who can help you through the challenges of addiction recovery.
If you’re considering treatment for addiction, we encourage you to consider residential treatment.
Outpatient treatment generally comes after detox and residential treatment and is a less intensive form of therapy. It can be a great option for people who have completed more intensive treatment and are ready to start transitioning back into their everyday lives.
In outpatient treatment, clients typically meet with their therapist a few times per week for individual and group therapy sessions.
At Magnified Health Systems, We believe in the power of a complete continuum of addiction treatment that starts with medical detox and progresses to residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization or an intensive outpatient program.
Residential treatment is often the best option for those seeking a successful recovery from addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we encourage you to reach out for help. We are here to support you on your journey to recovery which is why our 24/7 admissions team is standing by.
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Diaper, A. M., Law, F. D., & Melichar, J. K. (2014, February). Pharmacological strategies for detoxification. British journal of clinical pharmacology. 77(2): 302–314.
Chen, T., Du, J., Zhong, N., Zhao, Y., Sun, H., Chen, Z., Jiang, H., & Zhao, M. (2020). Trajectories of heroin use predict relapse risk among heroin-dependent patients: A 5-year follow-up study. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 76, 134–139.
Smyth, B.P., Elmusharaf, K. & Cullen, W. Opioid substitution treatment and heroin dependent adolescents: reductions in heroin use and treatment retention over twelve months. BMC Pediatr 18, 151 (2018).
Summers, P. J., Hellman, J. L., MacLean, M. R., Rees, V. W., & Wilkes, M. S. (2018). Negative experiences of pain and withdrawal create barriers to abscess care for people who inject heroin. A mixed methods analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 190, 200–208.
Moeini, M., Esmaeil, N., Mokhtari, H. R., Eskandari, N., & Banafshe, H. R. (2019). Neuro-immuno-endocrine interactions in early life stress and heroin withdrawal timeline. European Addiction Research, 26(1), 28–39.
Medical Advice Disclaimer
Magnified Health Systems aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Dr. Bickley graduated from U.C. Irvine with honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Golden Key International Honor Society, Cum Laude. He has been featured on national radio and print media. He is also a frequent lecturer at National Conferences. He holds an A.S. degree in Drug & Alcohol Studies, and two B.A. degrees in Criminology & Psychology, and masters and doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed California Drug & Alcohol Counselor Level II, a licensed Clinical Supervisor and is certified in treating Eating Disorders.
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