A life dedicated to getting high and getting heroin does not leave room for much anything else. Most all of an addict’s time and energy are consumed by their focus on these two goals. Thankfully, addicts can get help that lasts.

Treatment and Cost Options for Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction treatment works. It doesn’t always have to be terribly expensive, but it is up to the patient to choose which treatment center is right for their budget. However, addiction treatment in and of itself saves the addict for their costly addiction. So, paying a little more for the treatment center that you know is right for you is often worth the extra cash. It’s hard to put a price tag on freeing yourself of a life-jeopardizing addiction. Addiction treatment that really works involves assisted medical detox followed by inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found in 2002 that the average cost of treatment for outpatient care facilities was $1,433 per course of treatment. In addition, the “Alcohol and Drug Services Study Cost Study” found that residential drug abuse treatment to cost the patient $3,840 per admission. Though these costs seem high, a report published in 2009 by the Open Society Institute suggests that it is often less costly to treat addiction than to live with it because of the adverse, negative health effects it has.

Heroin Treatment

Costs for heroin detox depend on the treatment center. Paying to fix the problem now is a lot less costly than paying to fix the problem and it’s adverse effects as well. If you are battling a heroin addiction please call our toll free number at (866) 872-6491. We can help you find a treatment center that is right for you and your budget.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is an opioid or narcotic medication. It is similar to heroin, but it is used to treat narcotic addiction. It is an opioid partial agonist. Therefore, when it is taken in low doses, it helps manage withdrawal effects for stronger narcotics. It is important to take this medication as directed by your physician or else it could be detrimental to your health. It may be accompanied by side effects; which is why it is safer to be under the supervision of a professional. They can handle the situation immediately, before it gets worse. Some side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Mild fever
• Insomnia
• Irritability

Suboxone is a drug used to minimize the effects of heroin withdrawals.

Suboxone

Suboxone is a drug used to minimize effects of withdrawal in opiate addiction patients such as heroin. It is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone serves by blocking the effects of the opiate drug, such as heroin. A benefit of adding naloxone is that it discourages abuse. If suboxone is injected, the naloxone will block the effects of buprenorphine and cause the patient to feel effects of withdrawal. However, when it is administered properly, under the tongue, naloxone does not affect buprenorphine. It is important to use only as the doctor prescribes or else it could lead to suboxone dependence. It may also be accompanied by side effects including:

• Allergic reactions (lip swelling, throat closing, etc)
• Dizziness
• Slow breathing
• Liver problems
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Stomach pain
• Constipation

However, if this is administered in the presence of a professional, they may be able to assist in correcting whatever problems occur.

Heroin Addiction Help

Heroin is a difficult addiction to deal with on your own. If you or a loved one would like more information on heroin detox costs or rehab, please call our toll free number today at (866) 872-6491.

You may want to choose a heroin outpatient program. Some positive qualities include:

• Certain laws have passed that allow doctors to prescribe medications for the patient to take at home to help relieve heroin withdrawal symptoms. These medications used to only be available for inpatient patients.
• It is less expensive than inpatient programs.
• You may remain with your foundation of family and friends during the process. This is helpful for those who have a good core at home. If you do not have anyone to keep you accountable, the chances for successfully completing the process are low.

There are also negative qualities:

• This program does not offer 24-hour supervised professional care.
• If anything goes wrong with the medications, there is no one there to fix it before it gets worse.
• You are not surrounded in an environment that is dedicated to helping you.
• The temptation of going out and buying more heroin is high.

An inpatient program is typically recommended. There are many positive qualities:

• 24-hour care
• Extra activities to help form lifestyle changes
• Monitored medication use in case something goes wrong
• No temptation of going out and purchasing more heroin

However, heroin inpatient programs are very expensive, and you are not able to stay with your family foundation.

Heroin Detox

Heroin detox is very difficult to get through on your own without medical supervision. It is a very painful experience without the helpful drugs. Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Abdominal cramping
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea
• Vomiting

These symptoms may be controlled with the help of a professional. Rate for relapse is much higher when trying to complete the process alone.

Heroin Help

Heroin does not have to be the main focus of your life anymore. There is a new life waiting for you. If you or a loved one is interested in receiving more information on heroin detox centers, please call our toll free number now at (866) 872-6491.

Some would argue that a major factor in continuing the use of heroin is because of the fear of going through the withdrawal symptoms. When using heroin for a prolonged amount of time, the user becomes dependent on the

Heroin detox is a difficult process if done alone.

Withdrawal can occur just a few hours after the last hit. However, the most intense symptoms occur within 24 to 48 hours after the last dose. Usually, the symptoms subside after 10 days. There have been some cases where the effects last several months, but they were not as overwhelming.

Heroin Detox

Because the symptoms of withdrawal are incredibly difficult, it is safer for the user to go through detox properly in a supervised treatment facility. The user’s body becomes so dependent on the drug that it has difficulty functioning when heroin is not present on the body. When going through a detox program, the user will suffer from the following symptoms:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Cold/hot spells
• Chills
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Restlessness
• Muscle and bone pain
• Fever

Heroin Detox Medications

Certain drugs do not require medical attention in the way heroin does when going through detox. When a heroin addict goes through detox at a specialized facility, there are certain medications that can be administered to help ease the pain.

Methadone has been used for more than 30 years to treat heroin addiction. It is a synthetic opiate medication that binds to the same receptors as heroin. However, it is taken orally so the action is gradual and the effects are sustained. This allows the medication to reduce the desire for other opioid drugs while preventing withdrawal symptoms. Properly prescribed methadone does not interfere with ordinary daily activities. At the present time, methadone is only available through specialized opiate treatment programs.

The other medication is buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a more recently approved treatment for heroin addiction (and other opiates). It differs from methadone in having less risk for overdose and withdrawal effects. Buprenorphine is important for users who refuse to receive specialized care because it can actually be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor’s office. Although buprenorphine can be given out of a specialized facility, it is safer to go through this process with professionals.

After Heroin Detox

Detox is only the first step in overcoming your drug problem. Most addicts who only go through detox are more likely to relapse soon after they are clean. Once finishing the detox process, a heroin addict will greatly benefit from seeking further assistance through a rehab facility in receiving counseling and coping techniques.

Heroin Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to heroin, it is important to seek help. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Most lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. In some cases, it only takes one shot to become addicted. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on heroin rehab or detox, please call the toll free number at the top of the page.

Commonly referred to by addicts as “dope sickness,” heroin withdrawal can not only be physically painful but can be emotionally traumatic as well. The beginning of withdrawal can sometimes come only two hours after an addict’s last hit. Unfortunately for the addict who is trying to stop their addiction to heroin the uneasiness only gets worse from here. The most intense symptoms occur within 24 to 48 hours after the last dose. From 48 to 72 hours after the addict had their last dose of heroin withdrawal symptoms take an addict from an intense craving for the drug to a restless state. More unpleasant effects ensue such as cramping, nausea and vomiting shortly after this. Usually, the symptoms subside after 10 days. There have been some cases where the effects last several months, but they were not as overwhelming. The fear and the desire for the drug are too much for addicts to try to overcome by themselves. In addition, it is also physically dangerous to stop taking heroin, if there is an addiction, without medical supervision.

Heroin addict in withdrawal.

Not every recovering addict will describe their withdrawal exactly the same. Remember, withdrawal symptoms are directly related to how much of the medication was taken and for how long. Addicts who have been using everyday for weeks or months will probably experience more unpleasant effects during heroin withdrawal than will a person who had only used a few times per week for weeks or months. Physical differences in withdrawal effects are also influenced by an addict’s general bill of health. Emotional effects will vary in intensity depending on how much outside support from close family and friends an individual has during the withdrawal process.

Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

Every addict going through detox will have to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms of withdrawal are difficult to deal with. Some of the earlier symptoms include:

• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Yawning
• Runny nose and eyes
• Cravings
• Dilated pupils

When the user gets into the heavier symptoms they may experience:

• Fever
• Cold/hot spells
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle, joint and bone pain
• Abdominal cramps

Heroin Detox

It is much safer for an addict to go through supervised withdrawal. This is known as detox. When they are in a safe environment, addicts won’t be able to give up and take more heroin for the pain to stop. There are also a couple different medications the professional can give the addict to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal.

One medication is methadone. Methadone has been used for more than 30 years to treat heroin addiction. It is a synthetic opiate medication that binds to the same receptors as heroin. However, it is taken orally so the action is gradual and the effects are sustained. This allows the medication to reduce the desire for other opioid drugs while preventing withdrawal symptoms. Properly prescribed methadone does not interfere with ordinary daily activities. At the present time, methadone is only available through specialized opiate treatment programs.

The other medication is buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a more recently approved treatment for heroin addiction (and other opiates). It differs from methadone in having less risk for overdose and withdrawal effects. Buprenorphine is important for users who refuse to receive specialized care because it can actually be prescribed in the privacy of a doctor’s office.

Heroin Help

If you or a loved one is addicted to heroin, it is important to seek help. Once addicted, the effects are devastating. Most lose their jobs, dreams and ambitions. In some cases, it only takes one shot to become addicted. But, there is hope. If you are interested in receiving information on heroin rehab or detox, please call our toll free number at (866) 872-6491.