Heroin detox entails flushing the drug from a person’s system. It’s reasonable to want to know, “How long does heroin detox take?” The amount of time someone uses the substance and the dosages utilized create a unique timeframe for withdrawal for each individual. Detox and the withdrawal it causes usually lasts anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Contact Skyward Treatment Center for more information about our Houston heroin detox services.
What Exactly Is Heroin Detox?
Detoxification is the term used to describe the process of removing harmful substances from the body, such as drugs. A person will experience withdrawal symptoms or unpleasant side effects once heroin is eliminated from their system. Withdrawal is the process by which our bodies want more drugs during detoxification. Heroin withdrawal is not usually fatal, but it can be uncomfortable for heavy or chronic users. The initial withdrawal symptoms often appear between six and twelve hours after the last heroin use. If a person discontinues using heroin cold turkey, without any medical aid, withdrawal symptoms frequently reach their peak within a couple of days after their last heroin use.
Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin detox requires medical supervision and is performed in a hospital setting. Withdrawal symptoms can make heroin detox unpleasant if the patient is not properly cared for. Typical heroin symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
When heroin use is suddenly stopped, withdrawal symptoms can develop as early as six hours later due to the drug’s rapid elimination from the system. In severe cases, post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), are experienced. These symptoms may last for a year or more. Hypersensitivity, restlessness, and mood outbursts are just some of the symptoms that could last for a year or more.
What Drugs Ease the Discomfort of Heroin Detox?
Medications can be used to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms and increase the comfort level during detox. The effects of heroin are mimicked at a lower dose, and withdrawal symptoms are alleviated by using these medications. The chance of heroin addicts developing a new substance addiction from the prescribed medications can be reduced significantly if the prescribed medications are used as directed. Common medications used to help during heroin detox include opioid antagonists, opioid agonists, and a mixture of opioid agonist-antagonists.
Opioid Agonists
Medications like methadone and buprenorphine are commonly used during heroin detox. These medications work by replicating the effects of heroin, either entirely or in part. Although they help diminish the physical dependence on opioids, neither medication is as stimulating as heroin. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist with a lower potential for addiction than methadone. It is occasionally used in conjunction with Suboxone to further lessen the likelihood of addiction.
Opioid Antagonists
These medications interfere with the opioid receptors that heroin stimulates, preventing the drug’s effects and preventing the user from experiencing euphoria. Naloxone and Naltrexone are the most commonly used opioid antagonists. Naloxone is primarily used in emergency settings, like an overdose, or mixed with buprenorphine due to its risk.
Mixed Opioid Antagonists-Agonist
Suboxone is an example of a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist. This means that it has both an agonist and an antagonist. Suboxone, which consists of buprenorphine and Naloxone, is used to manage opioid dependence without inducing euphoria. Suboxone also has a lesser potential for fatal overdose.
Reach Out To Skyward Treatment Center For The Best Heroin Detox and Addiction Treatment Programs.
Reach out to Skyward Treatment Center and lay the groundwork for a brand new life. If you’re ready to put an end to your heroin use, our Houston, Texas detox clinic is here to help. Get in touch with an intake counselor right away.
