Heroin addiction has become a plague on our communities as drug addiction quadrupled since the late 1990s. According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin-related deaths increased five-fold between 2010 and 2018. Further compounding the heroin addiction problem, the CDC indicates that almost all abused drugs combine it with others. Sufferers also remain at increased risk of contracting HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B, and bacterial infections. A heroin overdose typically causes shallow breathing followed by a comma, and then death.
Hard-working families learn that those suffering a heroin affliction damage the loving relationships of those in their orbit. The heroin withdrawal symptoms associated with getting clean and sober can be challenging, but the alternative is simply unacceptable. At Harmony Hills, we provide the compassionate heroin addiction treatment program that Florida families deserve.
What Is Heroin Withdrawal?
Heroin operates on a kind of reward system with the brain. Each time the drug is used, the person’s tolerance steadily increases. This means each time that person is driven to achieve another “high,” they must increase the dosage. It becomes an endless cycle of needing more. When someone stops, the mind and body suffer. That’s a critical reason why otherwise good people find it difficult to stop using heroin without professional residential treatment and family support.
What Are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?
It’s not uncommon for people to begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms within 6-12 hours. The Mayo Clinic Laboratories points out that heroin has a half-life of only a few minutes, making it difficult to detect through dug testing. That also raises a significant challenge in heroin addiction treatment because of withdrawal symptoms such as the following set in quickly:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Sleeplessness
- Hypersensitivity
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
- Poor Concentration
- Profuse Sweating
- Stress & Anxiety
- Abdominal Cramps
- Muscle & Body Aches
Heroin withdrawal symptoms typically feel like having acute and lengthy flu. Getting through the withdrawal period requires focused treatment at a drug detox center and care.
How Long Do Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The length of time it takes someone to complete a drug detox depends on a variety of factors. Symptoms often directly correlate to the amount of heroin the suffer used regularly and for how long. The methods employed, such as injection or snorting through the nose and underlying physical or cognitive conditions, may also impact. However, this is a general heroin withdrawal symptoms timeline to consider.
- Days 1-2: Symptoms manifest before the first day is over, including pain and discomfort. These symptoms usually intensify for two days.
- Days 3-5: Withdrawal symptoms usually peak during this period, including cramping, sweating, and vomiting, among others.
- Days 6-7: Acute withdrawal usually wanes by the end of the first week. Although people may feel tired, they often feel like they are getting back to normal.
Exceptions to this general timeline include Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). Those that were afflicted for extended periods and took high doses may experience long-term heroin withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can persist for 18-24 months.
Harmony Hills Provides Compassionate Heroin Addiction Treatment
It’s essential to manage withdrawal symptoms in a safe space under the care of professionals committed to the recovery process. Although some families want to act and help a loved one on their own, drug detox complications can arise that require the prompt and immediate care, only medical professionals can provide. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer severe dehydration, choking, and be more vulnerable to relapse in the absence of sustained monitoring and treatment.
At Harmony Hills, our experienced professionals’ staff works diligently to provide the compassionate heroin addiction treatment our Florida communities can rely on. If you or a loved one struggles with heroin or another substance, we urge you to contact Harmony Hills today by calling 855.494.0357.
