Heroin Withdrawal

Symptoms of heroin withdrawal

One of the most important things to realize about heroin is that it can render users addicted after just a few cycles of use, and withdrawal is one of the first indicators of dependency. The early stages of heroin withdrawal can often take place just hours after the last use and can include symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, stomach cramps, headache and more. As the disease progress to its acute stage, symptoms reach their peak and can include more severe symptoms like tremors and shaking, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, hallucinations and more. Acute heroin withdrawal often lasts anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the scope and severity of patients’ level of addiction. These symptoms are best managed by an addiction-trained physician.

Long-term heroin withdrawal treatment

Even after patients receive clinical heroin withdrawal treatment, symptoms can last for months or even years after detoxification. Many who are suffering from long-term heroin withdrawal treatment can be put on a regimen of maintenance medication like Suboxone, methadone and Vivitrol. While these medications can be extremely effective in reducing cravings and treating long-term heroin withdrawal symptoms, they can also be extremely addictive. It’s not uncommon for patients recovering heroin addicts to develop a dependency on their maintenance medication, as they mirror the effects but with far less potency. In recent years, drugs like Vivitrol, a once-a-month injectable drug, has decreased the potential for diversion; however, the problem has not shown any signs of slowing down.

Treating heroin withdrawal

Our experienced and qualified doctors deploy expert treatment in a compassionate, supportive environment. We understand how important it is that patients are comfortable during the withdrawal process and that they have qualified in case they should experience a medical emergency, which is entirely possible during the opioid and heroin withdrawal period. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that heroin withdrawal requires expert medical treatment. Those who endeavor to detox from heroin on their own run significant risk of relapse and subsequent further bouts of withdrawal.