Heroin addiction recovery is an everyday battle that is misunderstood by those who have never experienced what a heroin addict has gone through, to get to where they are at that very moment. Whether they have been four weeks clean or four years clean a heroin addict must stay focused in their recovery or risk dying in their addiction because they didn’t take the time to change. Understanding this is a key fundamental in the recovery process.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms from heroin are the nastiest symptoms that an addict can go through. The symptoms of heroin withdrawal will start anywhere between 6-8 hours after the last dose taken and major withdrawals peak anywhere between 48-72 hours after the last dose taken. The symptoms of heroin withdrawal are similar to having the flu.

The following are symptoms that an addict may experience when trying to detox from heroin:

-shaking
-sweating profusely or chills
-watery eyes
-runny nose
-excessive yawning
-excessive sneezing
-loss of appetite
-dilated pupils
-muscle cramps
-extreme anxiety
-panic attacks
-insomnia
-stomach cramps
-diarrhea
-vomiting
-irritable

Statistics for 2009 show that there were at least 335,000 addicts who sought detox and/or heroin rehab for their heroin habit. Unfortunately, the numbers of folks addicted to the drug that did not seek help in 2009 was even higher than the number of people who have received or sought treatment. It is possible to recover from this drug. A large number of people who sought treatment are still in recovery today, and many more people are kicking the heroin habit now.

An Addict can find recovery with Heroin Detox, Rehab and other Resources

What resources are available for street drug and Heroin Addictions today?

• Heroin Detox
• Rehabilitation
• Methadone
• Suboxone
• Buprenorphine

Many people have resorted to lives of crime or living on the streets or in cars or shelters when they became addicted to heroin. Many folks, even ones who have lived in the worst situations, ones who were homeless or went to jail, are able to find recovery with the vast amount of resources available. It is possible to live a productive life after being a heroin addict.

Heroin detox


Detox for those addicted to heroin is not only about hospitalization. It is the first step for most people, before heroin rehab. There are drugs used as detox measures as well. Methadone is one drug used to assist addicts with staying off heroin. Heroin detoxification generally begins with hospitalization and withdrawal from the street medicine.

Methadone

A synthetic drug used in detox centers (inpatient and outpatient) for 30 years plus to assist addicts with withdrawals. This drug is thoroughly tested, harmless and effective. Heroin, otherwise known as opiate, affects a specific area of the brain and without the drug; users continue to have symptoms relating to the dopamine in the body, caused by opiates. Methadone helps to replace the dopamine in one’s body and the brain, therefore helping a person remain free of addiction.

Suboxone and Buprenorphine

Suboxone contains buprenorphine. Both these medications are detoxification measures for those addicted to opiates. Buprenorphine is a lot like morphine or codeine. However, it does not manufacture as much euphoric effect in the body and brain of a heroin addict, so it is not as addictive as morphine and codeine are. The more common medications administered to recovering patients is methadone because it is not as addictive and the dangers of overdose are not as likely as they are with suboxone and buprenorphine.

Rehabilitation is the next step in drug addiction recovery. Counseling and building a support team are two parts about rehabilitation that are most vital.

Heroin Rehab: Two Vital parts

• Extreme counseling
• Support system established

When it comes to rehabilitation and heroin detox, counseling and building a solid and strong support system are the first two and most vital steps a heroin addict needs to take. Many addicts have attempted to quit without professional help and most of them fail and end up back where they were or worse. Heroin can be a deadly drug and overdoses happen often.

The chance of an overdose being so easy is a great incentive for folks to kick the habit. Of course, there are many other reasons why it is a good idea to quit doing this drug. The longer a person uses, the higher the chance for more severe health problems and overdose. Rehabilitation is crucial for anyone who is trying to get away from this lifestyle.

Heroin Detox, Involving Family


Family members and friends cannot help their addicted loved ones without professional assistance, through heroin detox and heroin rehab. People that are educated and trained and ones that have been clean from this drug for a long time are the only ones that should help addicts recover. Family and friends should be involved in the rehab too, but it is vital that they allow the experts to help the patient with the recovery process in the medical and psychological sense.

No matter what the statistics say, it is possible for addicts to recover and live a great life. Many folks hooked on heroin are kicking the habit using a Heroin Detox and living awesome lives.

But happily, in recent decades, there has been more and more help being administered to the heroin addict. Society, realizing the severe physical and psychological effects this powerful, addictive drug can have on its victims, have initiated more and more drug rehabilitation centers, called drug rehabs for short, to help those with heroin addiction.

A Heroin addiction rehab is designed to provide every viable means possible to help the heroin addict to kick the habit, to get that ‘monkey off its back’. There are virtually thousands of such programs throughout the United States, for that matter throughout the world, for heroin addiction is not just an American problem, it’s a worldwide problem as well.

Let me say that heroin addicts get a bad rap when people find out your drug of choice. I believe they relate heroin addicts to the skidrow bums, but heroin addicts come from all walks of life.

Get Professional Help in a Heroin Rehab Clinic

Heroin has taken a back seat to cocaine and methamphetamines these days. There are very few Heroin Addiction Treatment Centers left in the US. Most treatment centers now treat a variety of different addictions. We find that usually an addict has more than one drug they like to use. It is recommended that anyone with the desire to get off of heroin should sign themselves into what we call as a detox center or a Heroin Addiction Treatment detox if there is one available in your area. Do not worry about the cost because there are state funds that will help you to pay for your treatment. You can check with the hospital in your area and they will let you know what resources are available. Do not, I repeat do not attempt to withdraw from heroin cold turkey, you can die.

Getting Professional Help for Heroin Addiction


Once you have detoxed you will be put in touch with a treatment center or a Heroin Addiction Treatment program. There is a lot more to addiction in general than just the detox. Over the next several years you will be exploring what brought you to where you are right now. Always remember that you did not get where you are overnight and you will not get better overnight. For the rest of your life you will be in recovery from your addiction, but hopefully you will continue not to use. There are far to many things that your treatment center or Heroin Addiction Treatment Center will teach you about dealing with your disease and recovery.

One of the most important things is remember is you are not a bad person or weak willed or any of the other names people call addicts. Truth is you are the strongest person they will ever know.

The method involves the use of an anesthesiologist and two nurses to monitor the patient’s vital signs and to administer the injections of the known opiate and several medications. The anesthesiologist keeps the patient sedated for four to six hours. The injections race to the brain and immerse the opiate receptors with medications that clean the opiate receptors. Supposedly, the patient does not go through any withdrawal symptoms. The rapid opiate detox method claims to work well enough to send the former addict back to work in 24 hours.
Following the procedure, the former addict is set up with a continuing therapy counselor program.

Advantages to Rapid Opiate Detox

The obvious advantage and lure of the rapid opiate detox method is in the short time required to supposedly flush out all residue of the addicting opiate. No cases of any serious mishaps while under anesthesia are being reported online at this time. The addict who is considering going through a flushing of the brain as this method basically sounds would be wise to have a complete physical from his medical doctor before undergoing the procedure. Getting a complete physical from your doctor before going into a heroin or opiate detox is very important because your body is already so weakened it can be dangerous otherwise.

Regular detox takes about a week to flush the opiate out of the body of the addict.

Rapid Opiate and Heroin Detox


With a flushing of the opiate out of the addict’s brain, no substitute prescription medication is given to replace the opiate that was flushed out of the addict’s system. Long term results of those addicts who have undergone the procedure would be the second step in the procedure that an addict should know before going through a rapid detoxification method. Heroin addicts who are currently finding a market flooded with the opiate might ask about repeat rapid detoxification results and effects on their overall health. Opiate Rehab is not for everyone, but it is one of the fastest ways to kick the addiction.

Definition of Heroin:

Heroin is also known as diacetylmorphine because it is an opiate synthesized from morphine, which is one of the highest addictive drug coming in second behind alcohol addiction. Heroin is known for it’s highly addictive euphoria effect it has on it’s users, and the user can develop a psychological addiction as well as the physical. 90 percent of all heroin is produced in Afghanistan and usually starts out as a white powder in crystalline form and later dulled by ingredients added in what drug user refer to as cut.

Signs of Heroin addiction:

A person who is addicted to heroin may show some or all of these symptoms:

• A constant dry mouth, resulting in continually smacking or licking lips, causing the lips to turn bright red and swell.
• They will appear very thin, with droopy or hollow eyes that have dark circles around them.
• They will stay awake for days and then sleep for days alternately.
• When coming down off the drug, some will pick at non-existing scabs or bugs on their skin, leaving behind several large sores.
• Constant runny nose
• They are unable to talk normally, constantly slurring their speech.
• Loss of interest with their usual friends or activities.
• Constantly breaking commitments.
• Lost interest in personal grooming, most addicts have a harried un-kept look to them.
• Unable to maintain employment.
• Lying, stealing or borrowing all the time.

Knowing the signs of heroin overdose:

1. The person may be experiencing shallow or difficulty breathing
2. Their skin has a clammy appearance
3. They may start to have convulsions
4. They may slip into a coma

To truly give someone heroin addiction help, is to involve all your family members, friends and organize an intervention. You must do your homework before even attempting an intervention, have several treatment options in hand, making sure the ones you choose specialize in heroin addiction.

Heroin addicts will only go for help when they truly are ready which is usually when they have hit rock bottom, and they finally admit they have an addiction. This is where the intervention becomes a necessary tool in the recovery process, showing the person through your eyes the effect they are having on their loved ones and friends.

Heroin Addiction Help


Trying to recover from a heroin addiction cannot be done without medical help, if they try to stop on their own, the serious physical withdrawal symptoms usually last up to 5 days, and almost all addicts will relapse. Don’t let this discourage you, there are now medicines that have proven highly effective in treating the withdrawal symptoms such as Methadone that prevents the withdrawals symptoms.

Remember getting heroin addiction help is not easy for heroin addicts, you will need a lot of patience, and expect the person to fail at least once, this is not an easy process.

Effects of withdrawal include, but are not limited to,

Nausea and Vomiting,

Panic and Shaking

Agitation

Sweating

Fatigue

Hyperventilation, and a Feeling of Jumping out of one’s skin

The Recovery Process

Addicts, particularly the heroin addict, can become violent, disorientated or downright abusive. Proper staffing is essential. The safety of the patient is paramount, and support is there.

Addiction detox is an important hurdle in the initiation of substance abuse treatment. Some medications can be given to lessen some of the symptoms of detox, but experienced physicians and support staff are essential in this type of treatment. It is not for the lighthearted, nor is it pleasant to witness. An addict should enter addiction detox in order to obtain sobriety and a physical and mental need to eliminate substance abuse and its associated negative behavior from their lives. It is a difficult journey to undertake, but its rewards are worth the effort. Being free of being a victim to a syringe and needle, as well as other drugs can be liberating and life affirming. Addicts, particularly the heroin addict, can become violent, disorientated or downright abusive. Proper staffing is essential. The safety of the patient is paramount, and support is there.

The heroin addict, by this point in life, is usually guilty of lying and stealing to support the habit and completely down and out. They cannot hold a job, sustain relationships of any type and are basically loners seeking out a source for their next high. Addiction becomes a way of life that is so incredibly destructive to the addict and their families and friends.

Detox and Addiction

Admission to an addiction detox facility is the first step in becoming independent and well. Unfortunately, it is not always done just one time. Some addicts fall back into the horrible path of addiction after detox and rehab and need to experience the pain all over again. It is rare for an addict to recover without medical intervention. It is better to detox in a facility than in jail.

With Heroin Detox there has never been an addict who regretted recovery.

The side affects of this dangerous drug use can be completely unbearable and even deadly to an addict. Some of the side affects you may experience are drowsiness, delirium, dry mouth, shallow breathing and euphoria. It is critical that when you have trouble breathing, a rash or tightness of the chest to seek immediate help. Many hospitals will recommend an opiate rehab after an emergency room visit due to drug overdose.

Opiate Rehab

Anyone experiencing an addiction to this drug should seek immediate help and check themselves into an opiate rehab. At an opiate rehab they will provide you with a safe, secure medical detox program where you will gradually come down from heroin without experiencing all the side affects from withdrawal. Counseling is also offered at rehab centers to help with the change of emotion an addict goes through during detox.

Opiate Rehabs Recovery


After attending a rehab it is beneficial to your recovery to attend NA meetings a couple times a week, just one if possible. These meetings give you a chance to discuss your thoughts of recovery and hear other peoples stories as well. NA is designed to make addicts not feel alone in their recovery process, it is made to give them faith and maybe even a new friend to help them along the road. Opiates Detox is something that almost everyone that has a serious addiction to opiates must go through, and it is important to remember that you are not alone.

Anyone who is addicted to an opiate drug should find the courage to start on the road to recovery. There are councilors and doctors who are there to make an addicts trip as safe and as comfortable as possible. With medical detox, counseling and group meetings, an opiate rehab facility is there to help anyone who feels as if they have gone to far with their addiction and would like to start recovery immediately.

For individuals who use certain types of of drugs, such as heroin addicts, addicts who use benzodiazaphine medications, and select others, it is important to seek out centers specializing in drug addiction detox in order to safely and reliably stop substance abuse. Because heroin is an addictive substance which causes physical dependence, it is unsafe for heroin addicts to attempt to detoxify on their own. Although some individuals manage to cease drug use by themselves without negative symptoms or side effects, this is dangerous in the case of a substance such as heroin, the rapid withdrawal of which can cause seizures, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as a variety of other nonspecific signs and symptoms.

As a result, for many addicts, a drug addiction detox center with expertise in tapering down the dose of drug while giving the patient supportive medications and therapies to manage their symptoms as they detoxify, are a much safer choice. In a word, supervised withdrawal is much safer than unsupervised detoxification.
In addition to the safety of undergoing detox in a center with expertise, heroin addicts find that many drug addiction detox centers also offer counseling other services such as prescriptions for anti-depressant medications.

Switching to Methadone or Buprenorphine

In the case of other centers and for specific patients, there is also the possibility of switching to methadone or buprenorphine, oral opiates which allow for a slower and more gradual withdrawal process with fewer side effects and negative symptoms. Together, these are designed to ease the process for addicts to stop drug use, and also to minimize the chances of relapse or re-addiction.

Drug Addiction Detox


Drug Addiction Detox centers now operate a wide variety of programs. Some of these are available on an inpatient basis, while others are meant for drug abusers who are undergoing detoxification in the outpatient clinic setting. These are tailored for the needs of each patient in order to ensure the best and safest possible result.

Heroin addict help is available at drug treatment centers and some specialized addiction hospitals. After an initial intake interview, the addict is allowed to detox under medical supervision. Detoxification is a very unpleasant process whereas the addict withdraws from the drug use as a result of its discontinuation. It is an essential process and should be monitored by medical personnel. Often other medications can help the sufferer with the symptoms of withdrawal which include but are not limited to: nausea, vomiting, nervousness, abdominal pain, sweating and heart palpitations.

A relative or close friend can get a heroin addict help by calling state or county offices and asking for substance abuse help. Many people simply do not know where to begin the process. There are agencies available to assist in getting a heroin addict help and by providing needed information regarding costs and location of such facilities. They can provide phone numbers and contacts.

Addiction Education for Loved Ones

It is important that relatives and friends of addicts do not cover up their behavior, thereby enabling them to continue their use. Addiction education and participation of the addicts’ loved ones are often integrated into treatment.

It is usually a long process that requires much patience, perseverance and love. Often the addiction process includes relapse and is very emotional for the addict and for the family.

Heroin Addiction Help, Addicts Have Difficulty Functioning in Society


People who are addicted to a substance have difficulty functioning in society and in personal relationships. The heroin addict falls into a pattern of behavior that revolves only around the idea of obtaining their drug of choice and are not capable of regarding the consequences of their behavior.

Rehabilitation and treatment are paramount to recovery of addiction. No former addict has ever regretted recovering from this devastating illness. Giving them as much Heroin Addiction Help as possible can be the key to aiding them to recover.