Fighting addiction can be intimidating, and for some it may feel impossible. Too often people try to do a heroin detox on their own, and when they experience the initial stages of withdrawal they fear that the entire process will be painful, and so they return to their old habits. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, opioid-involved overdose deaths have been sharply increasing since 2010. That rise is closely correlated to the prevalence of illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. The good news is that there’s a better, safer way to curb heroin addiction.

Withdrawal Symptoms & Timeline

First is The Come-Down (6 – 12 hours after last use)

Because of heroin’s ability to give a feeling of euphoria and relaxation, when a person comes down from their high they’re often left with a feeling of anxiety or even depression. Fighting the urge to feel euphoric again is the first challenge to kicking an addiction. It’s a vicious cycle. In order to avoid the emotional discomfort of coming down, the person feels they must take more of the drug. Over time they build up a tolerance and have to take it more often throughout the day just to feel the same high. This is why many people who get addicted to heroin end up using it up to four or more times throughout the day, according to The National Highway and Traffic Safety Authority. And so the first step of withdrawal is understanding that a feeling of pleasure can be achieved without the drug, and that the risk of overdose is not worth the quick fix.

Then Come The Initial Withdrawal Symptoms (Days 2 – 3)

Within roughly 12 hours of coming down, the person will begin to experience the initial withdrawal symptoms. The typical symptoms a person can experience are:

  • Aches and pains in their muscles
  • A sense of irritability, anxiety, and trouble sleeping
  • Excessive sweating, runny nose, and watering eyes
  • A feeling of restlessness and general discomfort
  • During this part of a heroin detox, the person may also feel strong cravings to start using again in order to avoid the overall discomfort.

The Peak Symptoms Come Next (Days 3 – 5)

The most challenging part of the withdrawal process is the peak symptoms, which can last anywhere from a few days up to a week. Here, the most common symptoms are nausea and stomach pains, which will typically cause vomiting and diarrhea. During this part of heroin detox, it’s crucial to have medical assistance to alleviate the pain. It’s also strongly recommended to be surrounded by a community to help stay focused on progress and avoid relapsing.

Then There Will Be Light at The End of The Tunnel (Around day 6 or 7)

The peak symptoms will start to disappear after a few days, though some milder symptoms can remain. Depending on various factors such as frequency of use and each person’s unique body chemistry, these lesser symptoms can last for another week, or sometimes even two weeks. In general, the less intense the peak symptoms, the less time the milder symptoms will stick around, according to The Journal of Opioid Management.

Ongoing Recovery and Support (After 7 – 10 days)

While the acute symptoms of heroin detox can be dealt with and will subside relatively quickly, some less intense ones can stick around for months, and some of them for years. Some of the symptoms that may stick around longer are:

  • General feeling of anxiety
  • Depression
  • Abrupt mood swings
  • Insomnia and fatigue
  • Physical symptoms and because of these, ongoing cravings to return to using the drug

These longer-term symptoms are why it’s crucial to seek medical help

Having professional support to manage these continuous withdrawal symptoms will help avoid having a relapse. Important Note: Once someone has come this far through the heroin detox process, they’ll have lost some of the tolerance they had built up for the drug. As a result, when individuals return to the drug to combat their symptoms, this is often when overdoses occur. Their body simply cannot handle the dosages that it previously could. This is why it’s important to have professional help in order to avoid returning to use.

Now for the Good News

The good news is that there is a safe way to recover, and avoid relapses moving forward. A heroin detox program backed by medical treatment, in a safe environment, supported by a caring community can help you get your life back on track. And with aftercare programs designed to mend relationships, rebuild finances, and feel whole again, it is possible to build a bright future. A full recovery is possible, and it’s never too soon to start a prescription drug detox program.

Medically Supervised Heroin Detox

At Atlanta Detox Center, the heroin detox program is designed to keep patients comfortable and cared for throughout the entire process.

Here’s what to expect:

Step 1 — The patient gets a psychological and physical assessment, gets their lab work done, and receives a personalized treatment plan. The patient is then shown to their room which has a comfy Tempurpedic bed, flatscreen television, and there will be plenty of meals and snacks available—everything to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible.

Step 2 — The patient is administered medical treatment by our certified professionals to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms. The medication helps to reduce the typical stresses and pains that come with a heroin detox, which also helps curb their urge to use again. The patient will have 24/7 access to staff who will regularly monitor and provide medication as needed.

Step 3 — Upon completion of the initial heroin detox, the patient is then guided through a therapy program to help ensure ongoing recovery. Depending on the patient’s unique needs, they might need one or a combination of therapies. Some examples are recreational therapy, expressive, group, trauma, motivational, family, cognitive behavioral therapy, aftercare, and even case management for issues like bad credit, helping with a criminal record, or finding employment. The heroin detox, combined with the aftercare program, is all about setting the patient up for long-term recovery.

Things to Look For In a Heroin Detox Program

Three of the biggest challenges to recovery are:

  • Many people struggling with addiction fear the pain and discomfort during the withdrawal period of a heroin detox
  • The anticipation of being judged or looked down upon keeps them from reaching out for help
  • And the thought of repairing all the damage that has been done

Bruised relationships, damaged credit, tarnished public records—can give people a sense of, “This is impossible, so why bother.” It all comes down to confidence and comfort. If the person doesn’t feel confident they can actually recover, they’re not likely to try to beat their addiction. And if they do try, if the person is feeling discomfort—either from the aches and pains of the withdrawal, or the perceived shame and guilt from their peers—they’re setting themselves up for failure.

Withdrawal can be uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. And while nobody should self-administer a medical detox, they also shouldn’t attempt beating the painful withdrawal stages without medical assistance. A successful heroin detox program should be supervised by dedicated professionals at every step, monitoring vital signs, administering medication as needed, and guiding you through the first steps to recovery. Positive community Nobody wants to be surrounded by people who are constantly trying to “fix” them. You want to be around people who are just like you, who understand you and what you’re going through.

Successful Recovery

One of the keys to a successful recovery is being part of a community of people who’ve been in your shoes and come out clean on the other side. These people can show you the exact steps you need to take to get back on track (and stay there). A personalized, long-term plan The problem with one-size-fits-all detox programs is that each person is unique. People have different backgrounds, emotional hurdles, and financial situations. They also have different tolerances, triggers, and physical and psychological needs.

According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness roughly half of all people struggling with addiction also have unique mental circumstances that can affect the treatment methods and the duration they need for recovery. When choosing a heroin detox program you should look for one that takes the time to assess your personal circumstances. Make sure the program asks about and takes into consideration the substances you’ve been using, the dosage and duration of use, and your full medical history, and uses that information to create a personal plan designed only for you. With these three things, you can feel confident that your personal heroin detox program will get you where you’re going. And you’ll know that you will get there comfortably with the proper medical treatment, and with the support of people who genuinely care about you.

3 Things to Look for In a Prescription Drug Detox Program

When choosing a prescription drug detox program, here are the three important things to look for: Medical assistance Withdrawal can be uncomfortable and in some cases dangerous. And while nobody should self-administer a medical detox, they also shouldn’t attempt beating the painful withdrawal stages without medical assistance. A successful prescription drug detox program should be supervised by dedicated professionals at every step, monitoring vital signs, administering medication as needed, and guiding you through the first steps to recovery. Positive community Nobody wants to be surrounded by people who are constantly trying to “fix” them.

You want to be around people who are just like you, who understand you and what you’re going through. One of the keys to a successful recovery is being part of a community of people who’ve been in your shoes and come out clean on the other side. These people can show you the exact steps you need to take to get back on track (and stay there). A personalized, long-term plan The problem with one-size-fits-all detox programs is that each person is unique. People have different backgrounds, emotional hurdles, and financial situations. They also have different tolerances, triggers, and physical and psychological needs.

According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, roughly half of all people struggling with addiction also have unique mental circumstances that can affect the treatment methods and the duration they need for recovery. When choosing a prescription drug detox program you should look for one that takes the time to assess your personal circumstances. Make sure the program asks about and takes into consideration the substances you’ve been using, the dosage and duration of use, and your full medical history, and uses that information to create a personal plan designed only for you. With these three things, you can feel confident that your personal prescription drug detox program will get you where you’re going. And you’ll know that you will get there comfortably with the proper medical treatment, and with the support of people who genuinely care about you.

How to Know When Someone Needs Help with Addiction

Heroin addiction is more prevalent than you may think. According to The American Society of Addiction Medicine, over half a million Americans are currently struggling with it. If you’re not sure if you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction (or other opioids), here are some questions to consider: Do you spend time contemplating how you can get more of the drug? Are you losing interest in your hobbies? Are you talking less with family and friends? Is your job performance, or schoolwork, suffering? Have you considered acquiring the drug through any other means than a prescription—relatives, acquaintances, off the street? Do you put yourself in dangerous situations by taking the drug, for example, before getting behind the wheel? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, there’s a strong chance you, or the person in question, are either addicted or on the verge of addiction.

Get Ahead of Addiction Before it Worsens

It’s never too soon. Whether you said yes to some of the early indications of addiction, or you’re already struggling with it, with professional treatment a full recovery is possible. A heroin detox program backed by a caring community and medical assistance will help ensure there are no relapses.

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