Heroin Detox Symptoms

With opiates like heroin, the dependence of the body on the drug in most cases is very pronounced. Heroin detox is essential to help the body wean off the presence of the drug and allow the body to return to normal without the presence of the drug in the blood stream. Most heroin detox centers or rehab centers will help addicts stay away from the drug and deal with the physiological and psychological dependence associated with it. This highly dangerous drug draws its victims in so strong that nothing else seems necessary for the person. All they can think of is getting their next fix and they will do whatever it takes i.e. steal, beg, commit crime etc. to get their next fix.

The first step towards ‘getting clean’ or treatment is heroin detox. This is the process by which the body is allowed to remove all the heroin in the blood stream. This process cause severe withdrawal whereby a person suffers from the immense physical or mental need for the drug. It is critical for the person to not have heroin in their body in order for the entire rehab or heroin addiction treatment to begin. No medical expert or rehab center will begin treatment until heroin detox has first been completed and the person is rid of heroin in their body.

Heroin addiction and the withdrawal symptoms associated with it range from excessive physical dependence to uncontrollable psychological agitation or even depression. Once a person gets off the drug they most likely suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Heroin detox symptoms include but are not limited to:

Nausea
Vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Anxiety or nervousness

Spasms or shaking of hands and legs
Depression
Insomnia
Diarrhea

Strong opiates such as heroin are so powerful that they require medical detox with prescribed medication such as buprenorphine which can help the person cope with the heroin detox symptoms listed above. Heroin detox symptoms may begin as soon as 4-6 hours after the last use of the drug but the major symptoms will kick in about 48- 72 after the last use of the drug. The withdrawal in some cases can be very severe with strong convulsions or intense muscle spasms. The bright side is that heroin detox symptoms can be dealt with medical prescriptions and these symptoms curtailed to help the victim stay with the clean-up program. Heroin detox will typically take place for about a week by which time the body would have completely gotten rid of the drug. Owing to their nature, Heroin detox symptoms are the main reason that most addicts return to the use of the drug. They are unable to cope with the symptoms and feel the need to get the drug back into their system in order to continue to lead their ‘normal’ life. For this reason, it is important for a heroin addict to check into a good heroin detox center or rehab center which have specialists dealing with heroin detox.

Such centers help the addict create the right environment to help them through these tough detox days and ensure that their success rate is high in ridding their body of the drug.

Getting Help for Heroin Addiction

Making the first call is highly commendable, and you should be proud of yourself for acknowledging that it is time to make the change and receive the gift of treatment for a good life. Call to connect with a treatment center at (866) 644-7911 for a free confidential assessment and insurance verification.