Detoxing from Heroin: The First Step of Treatment

Detoxing is the process of your body dealing with the lack of a substance like heroin. This can be a difficult hurdle to clear even when you’ve prepared for it due to the many ways heroin impacts your mind and body. It boosts your dopamine levels sky high. It takes the place of things you previously enjoyed. It’s only natural to have a strong mental and physical reaction while your body is adjusting to its absence.

Heroin addiction is a powerful, complex disease, but it is treatable. Withdrawal symptoms are an unpleasant part of the process, but they are necessary as your body learns to regulate itself normally again. Most importantly, you don’t have to go through this alone.

Your Heroin Withdrawal Timeline

Within 6-12 hours of your last dose, you may begin experiencing early withdrawal symptoms. They generally peak in severity for a couple of days before subsiding over the course of the next week or two. However, this can vary greatly from person to person. Factors that could impact your timeline (as well as the severity of the symptoms) are:

• Age
• Body type
• Physical health
• Length of addiction
• Amount of heroin used
• Other drugs used

Can You Die From Heroin Withdrawal?

Because heroin often leaves the user feeling euphoric and completely relaxed, there tends to be a lot of anxiety when thinking about life without the drug. Some users may even worry that giving it up could be fatal. While detoxing from heroin isn’t usually life-threatening on its own, some of the withdrawal symptoms can have potentially fatal complications. You may experience a variety of flu-like symptoms that range in severity. Some of the possible symptoms include:

• Chills
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle spasms, cramps and aches

You might also experience:

• Intense cravings for the drug
• Rapid or impaired breathing
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Hypertension or high blood pressure

Some of these symptoms can lead to serious complications—even death. The failure rate for those who try to detox on their own is extraordinarily high. For these reasons, it is highly recommended that you seek the help of a detox center staffed by medical and mental health professionals. They will be able to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed to ensure the smoothest process possible.

This might sound a bit frightening, but it’s important to remember that detoxing and withdrawal symptoms are only temporary. You are freeing yourself from an addiction that can lead to liver disease, collapsed veins, heart and lung problems, brain damage or death. On the road to recovery, you can regain joy and fulfillment from the things that brought you those feelings before heroin addiction took control of your life.

For Help with Heroin Withdrawal Near Palmdale, California, Call Cycles of Change

Most importantly, this is a journey you don’t have to take alone. The Cycles of Change sub-acute detox center in Palmdale is staffed with an experienced, compassionate team that is dedicated to your success. They will assess your needs and develop a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to ensure a safe experience with as little discomfort as possible. After your detox is complete, our specialized heroin treatment programs can help you further along your recovery journey. If you’re ready to take this vital step towards recovery, contact us now.