Heroin is an illegal opioid that people often inject intravenously for the euphoric high that it provides, but this is a big mistake. Along with being a potent opioid, it is also highly addictive, and users are often unable to stop regardless of the negative consequences that result from their heroin addiction.
Heroin use in the United States is a serious problem and a strong contributing factor to the nation’s opioid epidemic. It can have devastating effects on the user, their loved ones, and the community. Most concerning is its high propensity for overdose.
Our drug treatment center in Lake Worth offers a heroin detox program that help patients take the first step to getting clean by building a solid foundation on which to continue their recovery journey.
The Heroin Detox Process
Because people addicted to heroin become chemically dependent on the drug, the first stage of recovery is stopping use. A heroin detox involves quitting heroin as well as ridding the body of harmful toxins. With the threat of withdrawal symptoms occurring just hours after an individual’s last use, a detox from heroin can be a daunting task. The stronger the heroin dependency, the more intense the symptoms and the longer the heroin withdrawal timeline will last.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Severe abdominal cramping
- Hallucinations
- Diarrhea
- Disorientation
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Elevated heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Heroin cravings
These withdrawal symptoms usually peak after a few days with physical withdrawal symptoms lasting up to two weeks. Psychological side effects from heroin abuse, however, can persist or come and go even years after use stops. Some people may also be more sensitive or have underlying medical conditions that are aggravated during the heroin detox process.
With its intense side effects crippling an addict both physically and psychologically, heroin detoxification can be devastating. Many people trying to detox from heroin at home are unsuccessful or do not know how to properly deal with their withdrawal symptoms. The best way to safely and successfully complete detox is with heroin withdrawal help. A professional facility like our heroin detox center in South Florida can provide medical support and supervision throughout the entire process.
Our Palm Beach Heroin Detox Center
At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, we understand that a heroin detox is a laborious process, but it is crucial to recovery. To help our patients through this draining time, our facility offers patients a medically monitored detox.
As part of this program, patients will be surrounded by licensed addiction care specialists and medical professionals. These staff members will closely monitor withdrawal symptoms to ensure the safety and comfort of our patients. If any complications arise, they can take immediate action and will administer medication to ease the heroin detox process if applicable. While the symptoms of withdrawal can be very severe and uncomfortable, this is the safest option for individuals addicted to heroin.
Along with attending to the physical withdrawal symptoms of heroin detox, patients can also depend on our staff for moral support. Detox can be mentally exhausting, but our compassionate staff members are there to help patients work through these struggles. The controlled environment and constant support are also vital aspects of the heroin detox process that many people lack when they try to detox at home.
The First Step to Recovery
Although uncomfortable, our South Florida heroin detox services are only one of many steps are patients must take on their road to recovery. Effective heroin treatment must also examine the underlying causes of addiction and teach the individual how to approach life without heroin.
After successfully completing a heroin detox program, patients will transition to another level of treatment where they will focus more on the psychological connections to their substance abuse. Those with mental health disorders will also receive mental health care. This programming helps patients continue working toward a healthier lifestyle.
Heroin addiction can make sobriety seem like an unattainable goal, but we are here to help. Take the first step to recovery today.
