Heroin Withdrawals
Heroin is a dangerous street drug that can have many adverse affects on a users health, but heroin withdrawals are horrible thing to endure but are better then the alternative which is death. There are some cases where a heroin addicts have died due to withdrawals but this is a rare occurrence and can be helped with treatment. Methadone can be used to replace heroin and then slowly tapered off to help relieve severe withdrawal symptoms. The downside to methadone is that because it take longer for the body absorb it can put off withdrawal symptoms longer but some say that methadone withdrawal last longer, sometimes up to a month while withdrawal symptoms from heroin last usually between four day to a week.
Heroin withdrawals usually start within anywhere between a few hours after use to up to forty eight hours after use.
Typical symptoms Heroin Addicts Exhibit during Withdrawal:
1) Excessive Sweating
2) Cramping pains in the extremities
3) Insomnia and listlessness
4) Cold Sweats, Fever and Chills
5) Vomiting
6) Diarrhea and Bowl Problems
There is also a condition call “itchy blood” which cause the user to scratch or pick at their skin causing scabs and legions. This is less common but is still reported. If a user is in poor health it is recommended they seek a physicians help before discontinuing to use heroin.
Every case of heroin withdrawals is different from person to person. The severity of the withdrawals depends on many factors. The amount of heroin used, the frequency of use, and how the drug was taken. The problem with most heroin users is that heroin is not their only drug of choice. If the Heroin Addict is also suffering from barbiturates or alcohol withdrawal on top of heroin withdrawal there should be a doctor involved. These conditions combined can lead to psychosis, seizures, cardiac arrest, delirium and have a signification risk of suicidal behavior. Valium maybe used to treat these combination of withdrawals but it is not recommended due to Valium’s highly addictive nature. People who are already addicts may leave one substance to start another.
Clonidine is an high blood pressure medication that can be used to help treat heroin, alcohol, and nicotine withdrawals all together or separately. When Heroin Addicts decide to stop using heroin it is important that they check out a treatment center with a physician that specializes in drug withdrawal.
