Going Through Detox To Kick A Heroin Habit

by Bridget on May 22, 2012

An addiction to heroin is highly hazardous it can have critical long term side effects and may result in fatality if not cared for appropriately. In order to recover from a heroin addiction an addict must go through heroin detox and then through the drug rehabilitation process in order to end their habit forever and get their life back to normal.

Heroin

Heroin was initially produced in 1874; it was actually created to treat extreme pain in a medicinal capacity. It was produced from a poppy seed; it is developed into morphine once it is in the human body. However this is simply in its most pure kind. Street heroin is changed into a freebase made up of dangerous preservatives. It’s a very addicting substance as a threshold is built up quickly which requires the dosage to be upped so that the desired results to be felt.

Heroin Detoxification

Detox is considered the first step in dealing with a heroin dependency. Detox is the process in which an addict stops using heroin to get it entirely out of their body. Quite often drugs leave unhealthy toxins within the body and there are generally ongoingconsequences. In order for rehabilitation to happen all of the toxins must be out of the body’s system and an abuser should not present any withdrawal signs or symptoms.

Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin withdrawal is painful and the symptoms may vary in seriousness with regards to the time period of use along with the amount. Signs or symptoms can occur as soon as a few hours following the last dose and can last up to a week or even longer. Withdrawal can be dangerous particularly if there are underlying health problems. That is why detox should be conducted in a medical setting with a qualified experienced staff members and a team of skilled healthcare professionals. Typically, prescription medications can be used to alleviate the symptoms relating to heroin withdrawal. All these drugs involve Methadone, Suboxone, and Buprenorphine.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Many of the symptoms when coming off of heroin include things like; goose bumps, watery eyes and nose, yawning, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, anxiety, tremors, chills, queasiness, muscle cramps and pain. Diarrhea and vomiting along with trembling,sleeplessness, and irritability are standard as well. These symptoms can optimize about 48 to 72 hours following the final dose. Generally they last about a week. These symptoms can be serious for anyone with underlying health issues as they possibly can also be responsible for elevated blood pressure. For this reason it’s so important to go to a detox center for sufficient heroin detox.

Heroin Rehabilitation

Heroin rehabilitation is the second step in the recovery process. Simply getting physically clean isn’t going to result in recovery. Treatment is essential because quite often there’s a co-morbid condition including anxiety troubles, depressive troubles, or even an eating disorder. This condition has to be handled in conjunction with the drug abuse in order for a former addict to understand their dependency better and hopefully hinder potential relapses. Rehabilitation instructs a former addict how to live their life without their drugs of choice involved. It is definitely a whole new lease on life.

Heroin addiction is an extremely harmful condition and not only impacts the addict but those who love them also. There is help for an addiction to heroin, but it starts off with heroin detox. Detox can be distressing and unpleasant, however it is a necessary part of the recovery process. Without detox, rehabilitation cannot happen, and rehabilitation is what truly gives an addict a new chance at life.

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