Did you know?
There was a
Rise in heroin overdoses from 2012-2013
There were
Drug overdoses reported in 2014
Heroin Addiction
Addiction to heroin is one of the most difficult to overcome. The withdrawal symptoms are agonizing, and the fear of detox often keeps addicts using.
It is impossible to begin on the path to recovery without first addressing the intense physical addiction that comes with heroin abuse.
It is paramount that the user finds a safe, controlled environment to detox. Without the comforts of receiving medications dispersed by a medical professional the temptation to use is far too great.
Many heroin addicts have acquired a tolerance from continuous use which causes the addict to increase usage in order to avoid going into withdrawal. Breaking the cycle of using must be conquered in a facility where the addict feels understood and confident that he/she will not suffer.
Signs of Heroin Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms from heroin are excruciating and oftentimes keep the addict using even when they’ve vowed to quit. They include, but are not limited to, sneezing, weakness, fever, anxiety, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle spasms.
Withdrawal symptoms begin somewhere around eight to twelve hours after the last use and increase in severity over two to three days. It takes the body a week to ten days to recover from the intense flu-like illness.
The Solution
Statistics show that heroin relapse is rampant, but it is not a requirement. A safe, comfortable detox is the first step to a life free of addiction.
At Summer House there’s no need to be afraid of the unbearable withdrawal from heroin detox. Our professional staff has the medical qualifications and empathy to make this process easier. You’re not alone.
Successful heroin detoxification involves admitting there is a problem, seeking medical help, staying focused on the goal and rehabilitation and treatment through a continuing program.
All facts conclude that there is no easy cure nor guarantee that relapse will not occur. The determination of the patient and support through family, friends, physicians or other sources must accompany the detoxification process.
Heroin Detox in Miami, FL
Heroin detox is the process an individual goes through to rid himself or herself of heroin dependence. However, detox focuses solely on helping an individual through withdrawal and ending one’s dependence on the drug, not on treating the addiction.
There are professional heroin detox Florida facilities all over the state, allowing you or someone you love to begin recovery safely.
What Is Heroin Detox?
When a person goes through heroin detox, they are given a personalized, professional treatment plan to help them navigate the effects of heroin withdrawal and slowly minimize their dependence on the drug.
According to the National Library of Medicine, heroin withdrawal, just like other types of opioid withdrawal, causes several symptoms, including the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Flu-like symptoms, such as runny nose, insomnia, sneezing, coughing, body aches, nausea, vomiting, chills.
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Dilated pupils.
- Yawning
Heroin withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable, and many people even keep using the drug long after they can no longer feel its effects due to tolerance because they are afraid of going through withdrawal.
For this reason, heroin detox is highly necessary for a safe recovery from heroin abuse and addiction.
What Does Detox from Heroin Entail?
Heroin detox Miami, as well as programs all over the country, mostly utilize the same treatment options to minimize withdrawal symptoms and stabilize patients’ as they go through withdrawal. These include:
- Medications. There are several types of drugs that help minimize the symptoms associated with the withdrawal process. Without them, opioid withdrawal can be highly painful and even traumatic. For example, clonidine, an antihypertensive, is sometimes used to manage opioid withdrawal. However, in the case of heroin abuse, a stronger, opioid-based medication such as buprenorphine or methadone is probably more appropriate because clonidine does not reduce cravings. Patients are weaned off the medications slowly, often at a rate based on their specific dependencies.
- Behavioral therapies. Therapy can be an effective choice for treatment and stabilization during withdrawal. It often helps patients prepare themselves for addiction treatment during detox.
What Type of Heroin Withdrawal Treatment Do I Need?
Inpatient treatment is often the preferred method for those who have become addicted to a drug as dangerous and with a withdrawal syndrome as severe as that caused by heroin.
Inpatient detox allows the individual to safely navigate withdrawal with the help of a team of medical professionals in 24-hour care.
However, those who have a strong social support group may be able to seek residential or even outpatient care, depending on the severity of their dependencies.
What Happens Next?
After going through heroin detox in Florida, it’s usually best to transition into a nearby rehab center. Remember, detox is only a treatment for dependence, not addiction, and those who have struggled with heroin abuse will need a full treatment program to safely recover.
