Heroin Rehabilitation Is Key In Kicking Heroin Addiction

by Bridget on January 27, 2012

Out of the many illegal drugs available today, heroin is one of the most addictive. It can have a euphoric effect on the user that is habit forming. When injected, the euphoria is almost immediate. It is dangerous because there is a chance of overdosing depending on how strong it is. If someone becomes addicted, the only way to get their life back on track is to go through heroin rehab.

Addiction

There is a good chance that an addicted person will die if they do not seek treatment. This can come about many ways. They could overdose because a lot of heroin being sold today is very strong and pure, increasing the chance of overdoses. If the user injects the drug and the needle is contaminated, it could lead to a disease. Some of these diseases like AIDS have no cure and can be deadly.

Detoxification

The first step in any rehabilitation program is detoxification. This breaks the addict of their physical addiction and can be very painful. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal and detoxification include shakes, night sweats, nightmares, nausea, hallucinations and much more. To help alleviate the symptoms, prescription medicine will often be dispensed to them.

Treatment Plan

A treatment plan is then written for the new patient. Each plan is tailor made for the individual, because their needs are not exactly the same as anyone else’s. The doctors will take several factors into consideration when making the treatment plan. Factors include age, gender and severity of the addiction. Their physical health at the time of admission is also taken into consideration. The plan can be adjusted as needs change.

Therapy

One detox is finished the next phase of rehab begins, which is therapy. Therapy helps the individual understand the process and destructive nature of addiction. Individual, group or family therapy may all be prescribed to help the patient achieve this understanding and acceptance.

Sobriety

Therapy is not just for the rehab facility. It should continue long after the patient leaves rehab. This therapy helps keep the addict sober, as there are many temptations after leaving the facility. It also provides a place where they can vent and ask questions as they try to stay on the right path.

Post-Rehab

The post-rehab therapy helps them continue to build the life skills necessary to deal with the challenges to their sobriety. It helps them understand that they will forever be an addict but that doesn’t meant they can’t stay sober. This is especially important with heroin addicts because it has one of the highest relapse rates of all the addictive drugs available. Only 30-50% of heroin addicts stay sober a year after treatment.

Staying sober is a hard journey but it is possible despite the high relapse rate. That is why heroin detox and continued therapy and a sponsor are so important after heroin rehab. Family and friends are also a big part of the journey to stay sober, so if you know an addict, try to be understanding. Your acceptance and love could help them stay sober and possibly even save their life as a result.

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