Detox From Heroin: 4 Facts about Heroin Withdrawal

Four Facts about Heroin Withdrawal to Learn Proper Withdrawal

If you asked most people on the street what the most dangerous or most addictive drug is today, the vast majority would say heroin. And those people would be right. Of all of the prescription and illegal drugs that people abuse, heroin is one of the most problematic. Not only is it easy for a person to develop an addiction to heroin, but that addiction is very difficult to break once it has taken hold. Some people try and fail for years to detox from heroin and overcome their addiction. Part of the reason for this is the problem of heroin withdrawal symptoms and the effects they can have when a person is detoxing from heroin. Get to know some of the important facts about heroin withdrawal as well as detox from heroin so you can see just why seeking treatment for a heroin addiction and detox is necessary to recover from that addiction.

Fact #1: Heroin Withdrawal Is Unpredictable

The first thing to know about withdrawal from heroin is that it is an unpredictable process. This means that you can never predict what is going to happen when you detox from heroin. While there are symptoms that are common to heroin detox, the exact combination of symptoms can vary, even when a person has gone through detox before.

Fact #2: Withdrawal from Heroin Can Be Dangerous If Approached Incorrectly

When it comes to heroin addiction and detox from heroin, it is vitally important to approach the process in the right way. For example, trying to go through the detox process alone at home (as many people do) can be quite dangerous. The unpredictable nature of heroin withdrawals means that you could experience a severe withdrawal symptom like seizures or sudden cardiac arrest when you are detoxing from heroin. At home, you will not have a doctor on hand to administer anti-seizure medication or use a defibrillator if necessary and the health consequences could be severe or even fatal.

Fact #3: Medical Detox Programs Can Help Mitigate Those Dangers

While there is no surefire way to prevent withdrawal symptoms from becoming severe, you can detox from heroin in a safer way than at home. In a medical detox program, doctors and nurses will oversee the detox process. This automatically makes it safer than going it alone, even if you experience some of the severe symptoms. Additionally, medical detox programs in an addiction treatment center can provide recovering addicts with prescription drugs that can reduce withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process more gradual.

Fact #4: Detox from Heroin Can Be Difficult But Is Not Impossible

All of these facts may make it seem as though detoxing from heroin is virtually impossible. However, this is not an accurate assessment. Yes, it can be difficult to go through the heroin detox process, but it can be done successfully and is, in fact, accomplished more often than you would think. The key is to not try to detox at home and to ensure that you find a heroin addiction treatment program that will provide you with medical detox and additional treatments to help you overcome your addiction.

When you are suffering from an addiction to heroin, you may feel as though you are trapped in a situation that is impossible to get out of, especially if you have tried to detox before and failed in the process. However, with the right care and treatment, you can break free from your heroin addiction and get out of that seemingly endless cycle. Now that you know the facts about heroin withdrawals and detox, you can find that right treatment program for you and start down the path toward lifelong substance abuse abstinence and recovery.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.