Did you know that the classification of drugs normally falls under the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classic System (ATC)? Are you or a loved one currently looking for heroin detox and withdrawal tips?
In this article, explore what heroin withdrawal looks like, and the steps to take during the process. Read on to discover all about fighting the addiction, and tips to help you say goodbye to this drug for good.
Opioids
Did you know that in 2018, almost 15,000 people died from a drug overdose? Opioids are extremely addicting and can lead to discomfort over time. Whether you use codeine, heroin, morphine, or methadone, they can cause similar symptoms.
They work by interacting with endogenous opioid receptors in your body. Opioid antagonists block them, and opioid agonists stimulate them.
Intoxication symptoms:
- Euphoria
- Low blood pressure
- Sedation
- Bradycardia
- Low body temperature
- Slurred speech
- Slower movements
What Is Heroin Withdrawal?
With heroin, you’ll notice that over time your brain will need a higher dose of the drug to satiate its needs. To reach that same high as before, you’ll need to increase the amount.
You might notice that you’re in this cycle of continuing to use in order to avoid heroin withdrawal symptoms. Heroin causes symptoms that mimic the effects of hydrocodone and oxycodone.
The withdrawal symptoms tend to be stronger than prescription painkillers. These withdrawal symptoms can include mental and physical symptoms due to fluctuations within your brain.
How Long Will It Last?
How long your withdrawal symptoms of heroin and detox will last depends on the dose of what you’re taking. While it can take days and weeks for some, for others it might take months.
Some common symptoms are:
- Runny nose
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Goosebumps
- Sweating
You might experience symptoms within 6 hours of taking heroin. Within the first couple of days, muscle aches are common. Diarrhea, shaking, panic attacks, and anxiety are other common symptoms that might intensify over time.
Within the first few days, the symptoms will intensify and can include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and cramping. At about a week that’s when the symptoms start to decrease. Symptoms can continue for months due to the neurological changes heroin use causes.
Management of Withdrawal
Your detox specialty center will work with you and give medications to help with opioid withdrawal. A common medication is methadone.
You can find methadone through specially licensed programs. Methadone is also approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Other medications are buprenorphine and clonidine.
Buprenorphine is commonly used to help with chronic back pain or arthritis. It’s an opioid medication that helps with opioid addiction.
While clonidine is used for high blood pressure, it can also help with withdrawal. It can help with pain, diarrhea, menopausal flushing, etc.
What Is Methadone?
Methadone is an agonist to the opioid receptor. It restabilizes the area that’s affected by heroin. It can reverse the endocrinologic and immunologic defects that happen due to heroin addiction.
If you start methadone, you’ll receive it once a day and it’ll taper over 3-5 days. The amount you’ll take depends on opioid use.
Coping With Symptoms
In order to handle symptoms, it’s a good idea to stay busy to make time fly. This includes watching your favorite movies and shows. Consider having a friend come over to help you feel better.
Consider over-the-counter medications such as antidiarrheals and pain relievers. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and buy these in advance.
Get Help
Consider going to a treatment facility in order to get the help you deserve. Having a person there who is experienced with withdrawals can help you get through these symptoms.
Keep Hydrated
Ensure that you stay well hydrated during the detox period since you might experience diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms can lead to dehydration.
Long-Term Care
After detox and withdrawal from heroin, you might experience cravings lasting for months. Additional treatment is a recommendation to avoid relapse.
There are different approaches such as medication or behavioral management. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps with changing behaviors and thoughts.
Long-Term Symptoms
If you continue using heroin you might experience different symptoms such as dependence, loss of sex drive, sadness, damage to your heart, and constipation. Taking it as an injection can cause damage to your veins and thrombosis. Thrombosis is when you experience blood clotting.
Mixing Drugs
If you mix heroin with other medications you can experience unpredictable symptoms. For example, taking it with alcohol can lead to depression symptoms and increase your risk of coma, respiratory depression, and death.
Pregnancy
For those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it can impact your baby as well. It can increase your risk of a miscarriage or a premature birth weight.
Work
Taking drugs can impact finding and keeping a job. It can impact your ability to work safely. Drugs can lead to confusion and drowsiness which can impact others’ safety as well.
Getting Treatment
Before you start any medications it’s important to tell the specialist of any drugs you’re currently taking or have taken. Also, be sure to include the accurate amount of how much heroin you take.
Heroin withdrawals can start immediately since it’s still in the bloodstream. When you enter detox in a controlled environment, they’ll have the necessary treatment to help you.
Heroin Detox and Withdrawal Tips
Now that you’ve explored heroin detox and withdrawal tips, you should have a better idea of what to expect.
With the right treatment program, you can get the help you need and say goodbye to heroin. If you or your loved one are ready to get treatment, contact us today!