When you hear the term dope sick, what goes through your mind? Like many people, you probably think of someone craving their drug of choice. That’s partly correct, but being dope sick encompasses more than that. Many who are going through withdrawals in a heroin detox center describe being dope sick as the worst feeling they know.
Because opioid withdrawal symptoms can be intense, professional detox that alleviates these symptoms is the best option. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, Serenity House Detox & Recovery can help. Therefore, contact us at 866.294.5306 today to learn more about our program.
What Is Dope Sick?
Someone who has used opioids such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, or heroin for an extended time will experience uncomfortable symptoms during withdrawal.
So what is “dope sick”? Dope sickness refers to a range of withdrawal symptoms that appear when an addictive substance is withheld. Furthermore, these symptoms may be physiological or psychological.
Physiological withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Fever, chills, and shaking
- Night sweats
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body aches and cramping
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
Psychological withdrawal symptoms often include the following:
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Sense of hopelessness
Although these symptoms rarely end in death, they can be severe enough to require medical intervention.
What to Expect During Heroin Detox
Overcoming opioid or heroin addiction begins with detoxification. During detox, a person goes through the following stages of withdrawal:
Early Stages
In the early stages of withdrawal, intense cravings for the drug appear. In fact, the desire to take more of the drug is powerful, and the client becomes frustrated and anxious. The cravings gradually worsen over a period of several hours.
Peak Stages
During this stage, the symptoms increase in intensity for a day or longer, depending on the severity of the addiction. When these symptoms are at their peak, the person in withdrawal may feel extremely sick.
Detoxing from heroin in a professional detox center provides medical supervision, counseling, and support to keep clients from focusing on their discomfort and cravings.
Late Stages
In this stage, withdrawal symptoms have decreased in intensity. The physical symptoms should disappear within about a week. The psychological cravings may continue but will be less intense. However, with severe addictions, mild withdrawal symptoms can persist for months or years, increasing the risk of relapse.
Many people fear heroin detox because they fear going through withdrawals. It’s important to learn more about detox to alleviate these fears before the effects of heroin use worsen.
What Is Medically Supervised Detox?
Detoxing from heroin in a medically supervised, nurturing setting is the most effective way to get through the stages of withdrawal and progress to the next stage of addiction treatment.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we provide medical supervision 24/7 to ensure your safety and well-being at all times. As you progress through the stages of withdrawal, we are at your side every step of the way. Our compassionate and skilled detox specialists provide encouragement, support, and any other assistance you may need.
To help you achieve your recovery goals, we also provide individualized detox therapies that include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Family therapy sessions
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Dual-diagnosis treatment
- Medication-assisted therapy
These therapies are crucial for successful reintegration into your community after treatment. You’ll gain confidence, develop effective coping skills, and learn to identify triggers that may lead to relapse.
Qualified, Accredited Programs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Heroin addiction is not permanent. You can recover with the right treatment. The first step is to enter our accredited, licensed detox center. We have several locations in Florida and are in-network with major insurance providers to help you get the treatment you need.
If you are ready to live a healthier, substance-free life, contact us at 866.294.5306 today. One of our caring staff will be available any time to talk to you about our programs at Serenity House Detox & Recovery.
