You fell victim to a heroin addiction. Now, you’re ready to quit using the opiate. But you’re afraid of the withdrawal symptoms. What is the heroin detoxification process like – really?
A Week Can Make a Huge Difference in Your Life
It takes about a week for a heroin detoxification process to complete its course. Some can overcome the physiological dependency on the drug sooner. Others take a little longer. However, if you commit to spending five to ten days in detox, you can emerge ready to heal psychologically.
How the Heroin Detoxification Process Works
You check into a detox facility before the heroin has completely left your system. You don’t have to be “clean” to start detox. In fact, it’s better to have medical supervision during the detoxification process. It allows therapists to ensure your physiological safety and keep you pain-free.
After you check in, you talk with a counselor about your drug habit. A doctor may do an exam to get some baseline readings on your blood pressure and heart rate. If you have chronic health problems, doctors need to know about them. Doing so ensures that you receive care for them as you withdraw from the heroin.
After about 12 hours without a fix, you’ll notice a mounting anxiety. You feel like you should be doing something. You can’t rest. Your nose is runny.
You’re irritable. Some people get aggressive while others feel overwhelming depression. Some medications can make this phase of withdrawal easier to deal with. They help you stick with your decision to quit using.
Depending on your heroin abuse history, you may experience intense cravings after a couple of days. To help you, therapists use modalities such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to overcome negative patterns in thinking and acting out
- Dialectical behavior therapy that helps with emotional regulation
- Family therapy, which brings in those closest to you for counseling
- Relapse prevention strategy training to encourage future rehab attendance
- Addiction education that enables you to understand what’s happening and how sobriety can change your life
By day three or four of your detox, you’ll feel a lot better. Some mild withdrawal symptoms may continue. That said, medical support could significantly lessen their impact.
Why Should I Detox at a Facility Rather Than Cold Turkey at Home?
Cold turkey heroin withdrawal is painful. As the opiate leaves your body, it can react violently. You may suffer from severe dehydration and possible organ failure because of it. Without pharmacological support, you may not make it past the first one or two days without relapsing.
If you use again, the dose may be more than your body can handle. It could kill you. But you don’t have to go through it like this. Reach out for help to Serenity House Detox & Recovery by calling 866-294-5306 today. Learn the truth about the detoxification process.
