It is estimated that nearly 100,000 Americans use heroin a year. With numbers like that, it’s no shame if you or a loved one are suffering from heroin addiction. Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs available.
While heroin addiction is a disease that’s nothing to be ashamed of, it must be kicked as quickly as possible. Heroin is highly dangerous, and without a good heroin detox, addicts are at significant risk. Serenity Grove offers effective heroin detox and addiction treatment services in Athens, GA. End your search for “substance abuse treatment near me,” and contact us today at 706-389-5157 to learn how we can help.
Understanding Heroin Detox and Withdrawal
Before we get into the specific symptoms of detox, remember that it’s not something that everyone needs. Detox is usually only for severe addictions.
The point of a detox is to make sure that you don’t return to use when suffering from withdrawal symptoms. With a drug like heroin, your body has likely built up a dependence on the drug. Abruptly stopping the use of the drug will make your body panic and get sick.
These symptoms can be hard to manage, in combination with the psychological impact of not having the relief that comes from getting high. This leads many people to return to use.
Detox is when doctors and therapists watch over someone suffering from withdrawal 24/7. It often comes with medical treatment.
How Long Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms Last
Another important thing to remember about heroin detox is that symptoms peak and valley at different points of the treatment. Luckily, heroin is a fast-acting opioid that leaves the body soon after detox; it is important to remember that it’s not too late to get out of active addiction. Heroin leaves the body fast.
Withdrawal symptoms don’t set in immediately. They usually set in around 6-12 hours after the last dose of the drug. They proceed moderately over the course of 2-3, progressively getting worse until they peak.
Things begin to get better after that. However, the symptoms last for about 5-10 days.
This is why medical detox is so important. Though someone might feel confident that they can kick their addiction at the beginning, they may feel differently a week into the symptoms.
Symptoms of Moderate Heroin Withdrawal
Less severe addictions may cause less severe withdrawal symptoms. You can also expect to find less severe withdrawal symptoms on the non-peak days of detox.
Those suffering from moderate heroin withdrawal may experience the following:
- Trouble concentrating
- Inability to focus
- Agitation or irritability
- Mood swings
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Achiness in the body
Though these are only moderate symptoms, they can confuse heroin users who don’t know what they’re going through. The emotional symptoms, in particular, might make people think they’re better off using the drug. However, it’s only a temporary roadblock.
Symptoms of Severe Heroin Withdrawal
Severe heroin addictions come with severe symptoms. You can expect some of these symptoms to appear at the worst parts of a withdrawal cycle, around two or three days in.
Detox patients may experience the following:
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Insomnia
- Panic attacks
- Hypertension
- Muscle spasms
- Impaired breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Intense cravings
- Suicidal ideation
Individuals going through severe heroin withdrawal symptoms might undergo such serious physical ailments that they can think they’re dying. These symptoms are painful and concerning. Beyond simple aches and pains, they can decrease a person’s quality of life. The symptoms relating to mental health are hard to manage without help, and those going through withdrawal may think that their distress is coming from things that aren’t related to drugs at all.
Be Supported Through Heroin Detox at Serenity Grove
Quitting heroin isn’t as simple as not using the drug. Those who attempt to quit heroin will undergo moderate to severe heroin withdrawal symptoms that can severely impact someone’s quality of life. This is why medical detox exists. In medical detox, you can get medications for your withdrawal symptoms and get the supervision you need to make sure you don’t return to use. Contact Serenity Grove today by calling 706-389-5157 or filling out our online form. We can help.
