Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin is a highly addictive drug. It doesn’t take much to become addicted, and the effects of withdrawal are extremely unpleasant. When using heroin for a prolonged amount of time, the user becomes dependent on the drug and they need more and more heroin to function. Some would argue that a major factor in continuing the use of heroin is because of the fear of going through the withdrawal symptoms.

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.

However, there is some good news despite all of the bad. Heroin detox is not life threatening, though it can be dangerous without supervision. An addict can detox no matter how much heroin they are used to using or how high their tolerance has become. The very worst part of the detox process is thought to be over within the first four or five days. However, it is imperative that an addict remembers that once they have stopped abusing heroin for a few weeks their tolerance for the drug goes back down. Many people have died from overdosing on heroin because they thought their tolerance level would remain the same.

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.