If you are addicted to heroin and you abruptly stop your intake, you will experience heroin withdrawal. Though heroin withdrawal varies in length and severity, most withdrawal symptoms begin about 6-12 hours after the last dose, peak within a few days and subside within a week. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are treatable, but detox services are not a substitute for completing an entire addiction treatment program. If someone addicted to heroin is only treated for withdrawal symptoms, he or she inevitably will relapse.
What Are Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal?
Heroin withdrawal symptoms can include the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Runny nose
- Aches and pains
- Muscle spasms
- Anxiety
- Depression
Heroin withdrawal is characterized by cravings for heroin which are driven by both the desire to end the withdrawal symptoms and the desire to feel the pleasure of a “high.” These cravings make quitting alone difficult if not impossible.
How Is Heroin Withdrawal Treated?
Though heroin withdrawal symptoms are not often life threatening, withdrawal may be severely uncomfortable and result in relapse. If a person relapses during withdrawal, they are at a high risk for overdose. Heroin withdrawal may also cause suicidal thoughts and feelings as a result of depression. Due to these factors, medical supervision during withdrawal is essential for the recovering heroin user’s safety. Medically monitored heroin withdrawal is referred to as detoxification. This service is offered by most drug rehab centers, and rehab centers that do not offer detox onsite can refer you to a detox center. During detox, doctors treat patients for withdrawal symptoms and monitor physical progress. This prevents relapse as well as other complications. Seeking medical detox as early as possible is the safest and healthiest way to prevent risks associated with heroin abuse and begin addiction recovery.
Need Help Finding Treatment for Heroin Withdrawal?
If you or someone you love is suffering from heroin addiction and needs help with withdrawal, call our toll-free helping for instant support. We can answer your recovery questions and recommend a high quality treatment center that offers the level of addiction treatment that is right for you or your loved one. We can also look up your insurance information, and let you know what coverage your plan provides. All calls are free and confidential. Call us today.
