Heroin Detox and Withdrawal

Initial symptoms of withdrawal can begin within the first day of detoxification. Physical and psychological symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

• Runny nose
• Lacrimation, or tearing
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Uncontrollable yawning
• Excessive sweating
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches and spasms
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Inability to concentrate

After the initial symptoms subside, more intense and longer lasting symptoms start to appear:

• Rapid heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Paranoia
• Hyperactivity

While this is the most difficult phase of withdrawal, such symptoms subside over time as the body adjusts back to life without heroin. These more intense and physical symptoms start to improve over the course of three or four days, and within approximately a week, you will start to feel normal.

Phase 1: Days 1 – 3: Most withdrawal symptoms start within the first 24 hours after a person stops using heroin. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, or even painful. It’s important to remember, however, that the discomfort is only temporary. As a result, relapse is very likely to occur during the first two or three days of withdrawal. Symptoms of the initial phase of withdrawal include:

• Aggression
• Headaches
• Irritation
• Muscle pain
• Sweating
• Stomach problems
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Panic attacks

Phase 2: Days 3 – 5: After the first phase of withdrawal, most of the intense symptoms have subsided. At this point, withdrawing heroin addicts are likely to feel:

• Stomach cramping
• Minor muscle aches
• Shivers
• Fatigue

Each person experiences detox and withdrawal differently. For some, withdrawal symptoms may extend past five days. For others, the symptoms will subside after one week. It’s not unusual for some mild symptoms to linger. However, focusing on the goal of recovery and using tools like exercise and healthy eating can tremendously help during this challenging time. At The Recovery Village, our doctors will help you feel as comfortable as possible during withdrawal. Often, we help patients taper off of their drug so withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as quitting cold turkey.  

Therefore, it is highly advisable to find the best facility to undergo detox and withdrawal treatment. While detoxing at The Recovery Village, our skilled team of doctors and nurses will monitor you 24/7 to ensure your health and safety during detoxification.

The costs of do-it-yourself withdrawal methods are not worth it and can lead to far more damaging effects on the body in the long run. Undergoing detox at an accredited facility is a great and effective way to maintain your health and safety. When you detox from heroin at The Recovery Village, our doctors will help you feel as comfortable as possible during withdrawal. We help patients taper off of their drug so withdrawal symptoms are not as severe as quitting cold turkey.

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine — Also referred to as Suboxone and Subutex, these medications are ideal in treating withdrawal and future maintenance treatments, too. Moreover, methadone and buprenorphine are made in a way that discourages misuse and abuse.
• Naltrexone and Naloxone — Naltrexone is the third FDA-approved medication that is ideal in treating heroin addiction because it is not habit-forming. Naltrexone helps people avoid relapse by decreasing their cravings and preventing them from getting high if they were to take more heroin. After a user has undergone detoxification, naltrexone is the next recommended step. Naltrexone can only be used after a person has been detoxified, so people must either successfully stop using heroin for several weeks or opt for medically-assisted detoxification if they want to use it in their recovery. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is not a treatment for heroin addiction, but it can temporarily stop the effects of heroin use. Naloxone has recently been used by first responders and law enforcement officials to someone at the first sign of heroin and opiate abuse. If someone has been given naloxone for overdose, it is very important to get them to an emergency room as soon as possible before the drug wears off.

• Inpatient detox, which may occur at a hospital, detox center or rehab facility such as The Recovery Village. Drug rehab centers will provide 24-hour supervision, pharmacotherapy and intensive monitoring during this time.
• Outpatient detox, which may occur at a rehab facility, doctor’s office, medical center or free clinic. Patients who choose outpatient detox will only receive medical monitoring during business hours, leaving them vulnerable to relapse during the evenings and on weekends.
• Holistic detox programs, which may occur at naturopathic doctor’s offices. These programs rely on herbal medicines and alternative therapies to detoxify the mind and body. Such programs include spiritual counseling, yoga and acupuncture.

Professionals in the addiction space will always recommend addicts detox in a medically-supervised setting because it can be a dangerous process. Complications can include aspirating vomit, or breathing it into the lungs, leading to lung infection or asphyxiation. Excessive vomiting, sweating and diarrhea can also cause dehydration, leading to chemical and mineral imbalances and possibly causing seizures. Undergoing detox at an accredited facility such as The Recovery Village mitigates all of these risks, however, as our team will monitor you 24/7. Once detox is complete, patients can transition to further treatment.

If for whatever reason, you are unable to detox at an accredited facility and home detox is the only option, it’s important to have a support system around to help you and call 911 if they notice extreme symptoms. Home detox kits that contain vitamins, herbs and minerals are available at drugstores and online for purchase. Many individuals preparing for home detox purchase such kits with good intentions, however, they are rarely successful in beating the disease because the kits do not address the deep-rooted psychological and behavioral issues.

It is highly suggested to seek professional help when undergoing something as serious as detox. How is detox at an accredited facility different from detox at home? The entire process is monitored by medical professions, including a team of nurses, physicians and other health care providers with specialized training in the drug detox process. If any problems arise during the detox process, a physician can monitor the conditions and prescribe safe, well-researched medications to minimize the pain and discomfort from symptoms and cravings. While it may seem like a “luxury” to some, the idea of staying at a detox facility is to stay on the road to recovery without getting lured away by craving and temptations.