According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), double the number of Americans aged 18 to 25 use heroin today as compared to before 2010. In 2013 alone, more than 8,200 people died from a heroin overdose. If you count yourself among those using heroin or love someone who does, do you know the signs of heroin withdrawal? Withdrawal is a sure indicator that you need help from a quality treatment center in Texas, such as Grace Counseling.
Because heroin is so addictive, you cannot stop using it on your own. You need the care, safety, and comforts provided in a medically supervised Texas heroin addiction treatment center. With this help, you get a new lease on life. Then, you only need to use what you learned in rehab to enjoy lifelong recovery.
About the Signs of Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin withdrawal begins soon after you use your last dose of the drug. If you want more of your drug, but cannot get it, these feelings are what others call “dope sick.” When you feel the effects of withdrawal, only taking another dose helps you feel better. Unfortunately, that is the trap of heroin addiction and reiterates the importance of a Texas heroin addiction treatment center.
Signs of heroin withdrawal include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Agitation
- Depression
- Nervousness and shaking
- Muscle spasms
- Drug cravings
When you attempt heroin withdrawal alone, you risk deadly relapse. This occurs when someone quitting heroin cold turkey feels the symptoms of withdrawal and gives up when they worsen. Instead of continuing through the symptoms to a time when they feel better, they rush back to using their drug. For many, one more dose of heroin proves deadly because their body can no longer handle very much of the drug after detox began.
In a licensed and medically supervised detox, such as at a heroin addiction treatment center in Texas, caring staff provide the medications you need for your worst symptoms. These medications make the journey to “clean” easier. They help you kick your drug use safely and successfully.
No Two People Are the Same
One of the most significant issues of heroin withdrawal is not knowing how your brain and body will react to quitting. You hear stories from others and use that to form your base of knowledge. But the reality is that everyone is unique. Your withdrawal will not look or feel like anyone else’s.
This is why Grace Counseling provides you with an individualized treatment plan. When you enter detox and rehab, caring professionals assess your health and needs. These needs form your treatment plan, along with the therapies and education you need to stay clean of heroin for lifelong recovery.
Therapies included in your treatment plan can consist of individual counseling, psychotherapy, Texas behavioral therapies like CBT and DBT, trauma therapy, experiential therapies like art and music, fitness, meditation, mindfulness, relapse prevention, and addiction education. Also typically included are nutrition, recreation, family therapy, and group therapy.
Although the severity of withdrawal varies from person-to-person, most detox from heroin is not life-threatening. But sometimes people have other medical or mental health problems that create higher risk.
Never attempt to go “cold turkey” from heroin on your own. Rely on the professionals at a drug rehab center who know how to keep you healthy, nourished, comfortable, safe, and secure from relapse for detox. With their help, you can put your substance abuse behind you.
How long does heroin detox last?
Heroin leaves your bloodstream rapidly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you can expect your symptoms of withdrawal to start within 12 hours of your last dose. For many people, these symptoms begin as early as six hours after last getting high.
Your ill feelings and discomfort reach their peak at day two or three without your drugs. Overall, you get through withdrawal in five to 10 days. Most people stay in detox for seven days before transitioning into rehab. Luckily heroin detox center options are available.
Rehab Treatment Provides for Long-Term Recovery
If you want long-term recovery, you need rehab. That is the bottom line. Without rehab, you do not learn or possess the necessary skills to prevent relapse. Where heroin is concerned, relapse is a deadly proposition.
Rehab treatment typically includes:
- Medically supervised detox
- Residential treatment
- PHP, IOP or OP programs
- Sober living and aftercare
- 12 step or non-12 step support
- Individualized treatment planning
- Important therapies and relapse prevention education
Now that you know the basic signs of heroin withdrawal reach out for the help you need. Do not try to end your addiction alone. That rarely works and puts your well-being at significant risk. Instead, call the experts at 844.564.0712 at Grace Counseling, to safely stop your heroin use.