Living under the thumb of heroin addiction is a horrible thing for anyone to deal with. There’s no upside to heroin abuse other than the few minutes of euphoria someone experiences when they take a hit. Unfortunately, that hit is never worth the price the individual pays once an addiction sets in and takes over their life. Once someone has an addiction, getting out is like trying to leave a gang. The addiction sufferer is going to have to deal with the signs of heroin withdrawal. However, with the help of a quality heroin addiction treatment program, withdrawal can be managed and recovery can be found.
The Signs of Heroin Withdrawal
The body has a way of telling its owner what it wants and needs. In fact, after it develops a physical dependence on heroin, that becomes everything the body is about. It ceases to function properly without the heroin to keep it functioning. When that happens, the body and mind revolt by going into withdrawal.
For anyone who doesn’t yet know, the signs of heroin withdrawal can be quite dangerous. Without the proper protection, they can even be life-threatening. If anyone doubts that, then take a look at this list of symptoms:
- Great difficulty breathing
- Increase in blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Loss of motor control of the body
- Severe muscle cramping in the stomach region
- Hallucinations, convulsions, and tremors in the extremities
- The onset of depression and anxiety
Remember, the more significant the individual’s addiction to heroin, the more significant the withdrawal symptoms they will experience.
The Heroin Detox Process
It’s very simple. The best way for an addiction sufferer to stay safe while dealing with the signs of heroin withdrawal is with help. The goal of any good heroin detox program is to let the client go through withdrawal with as little medical intervention as possible. At the same time, there’s usually a physician standing by to provide relief medications should the client need help.
This medication will often be available up until the time the client is past withdrawal with diminishing cravings for heroin. At that point, a medication-assisted treatment program can improve prospects for long-term recovery. This medication is an opioid blocker that helps diminish cravings for heroin and other opioids.
Don’t try to be brave and deal with the signs of heroin withdrawal on your own. It’s simply too dangerous. A far better solution would be for you to seek out help specifically for detox and addiction treatment in general. This is your life, and it’s up to you to protect yourself at all costs.
The Importance of a Detox Program
No one should ever try to quit heroin “cold turkey” without help from a drug addiction detox center. Quitting “cold turkey” can be ineffective and even dangerous. In almost every case, the addiction sufferer should seek refuge in one of the nation’s detox centers for heroin. Here, trained clinicians and therapists can help you to ease heroin withdrawal symptoms and teach long-term strategies for recovery from addiction.
Evidence-based and holistic therapies are vital to the recovery process. In these sessions, you learn to identify root causes of addiction and work on coping skills you will need for recovery. Therapies you might encounter at an addiction treatment center can include:
- Cognitve-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Acupuncture and Massage Therapy
- Music and Art Therapy
Begin Heroin Detox Today
No matter what, that initial detox process is going to be vital to the recovery process. Without the help and protection someone would get from a well-run detox program, the prospects of a successful addiction recovery diminish.
