Man struggling to quit substance use without medical detox

If you have a substance use disorder, particularly a heroin use disorder, you have probably been struggling to break free for quite a while. If you have considered treatment for your disorder, you are probably concerned about the most intimidating part of quitting heroin: detox and withdrawal.

Fortunately, Coastal Detox can help you to end heroin abuse safely and comfortably with a program built around your physical and emotional needs.

The First Step

What is Detox?

Detoxification is a process that clears toxins (poisons) from the body of someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs. The goal of detox is to reduce the effects of withdrawal during this first stage of treatment.

For a person struggling with heroin addiction, detox can bring on painful withdrawal symptoms that start within 24 hours of stopping drug use. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on duration of abuse and other factors.

Although heroin withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, trying to detox alone without medical supervision can make symptoms worse. People in recovery from heroin addiction need to detox from the drug or begin medication-assisted treatment before they can begin counseling and therapy.

What to Expect

Heroin Withdrawal

When a person stops using heroin, the body needs time to recover. That recovery causes withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can start any time long-term use is cut back or stopped, and symptoms for people who first quit using heroin can be very severe. Medications during the beginning phase of our heroin detox program help ease cravings and other painful symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable but generally not life-threatening. They typically start within 12 hours of the last heroin usage and within 30 hours of the last methadone exposure. Severe symptoms usually peak about 48 to 72 hours after last use and can last 4 to 10 days, with severity lessening over time.

Early Symptoms of Withdrawal

  • Agitation
  • Muscle aches
  • Runny nose
  • Yawning
  • Anxiety
  • Increased tearing
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia

Later Symptoms

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Goosebumps
  • Dilated pupils
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting

How We Help

Detox and Treatment for Heroin Abuse

Medical team providing heroin detox care at Coastal Detox

Withdrawal from heroin and other opioids on your own can be complicated and may be dangerous. Our heroin detox program combines medications, counseling, and support to keep you safe and comfortable.

Withdrawal can occur in several settings:

  • In a facility set up to help people with detoxification.
  • In a regular hospital, especially if symptoms are severe.
  • At home, with a strong support system and medications, a complex method, and the withdrawal process takes time.

Trained addiction specialists use medication-assisted therapy to treat heroin addiction, ease withdrawal symptoms, and reduce cravings. Quitting heroin “cold turkey” is not recommended for a successful detox.

Evidence-Based Care

Medications Used in Heroin Detox

Lofexidine

A blood pressure medication commonly used to treat the physical symptoms of withdrawal from opioids such as heroin. While not a treatment for addiction itself, it is a valuable aid in detoxification.

Methadone

Eases withdrawal symptoms and helps with detox. Methadone is also used as a long-term maintenance method for opioid dependence.

Buprenorphine (Subutex)

Used to treat withdrawal and can reduce the length of detox by easing physical and psychological symptoms.

Clonidine

Helps reduce anxiety, agitation, muscle aches, sweating, runny nose, and cramping. It does not reduce cravings, but supports comfort throughout withdrawal.

Know the Risks

Understanding Possible Complications of Withdrawal

Although the symptoms of heroin detox are generally not life-threatening, there can be complications. It is essential to consider these points before detoxing at home or on your own.

Aspiration

Vomiting and breathing the stomach contents into the lungs can cause a dangerous lung infection.

Dehydration

Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration and chemical and mineral (electrolyte) disturbances in the body.

Overdose After Relapse

The worst complication is returning to drug use. Withdrawal lowers tolerance, so a previously normal dose can become fatal. Most opiate overdose deaths happen to people who have just detoxed.

Timeline

How Long Does it Take to Detox?

Heroin detox can take anywhere from a few days to more than a week. The length of time it takes depends on several factors:

Age

Weight

Genetics

Mental health

Tolerance level

Medical history

Alcohol or other drug use

Method of use (snorting, injecting, etc.)

How long the person has been using heroin

People who inject heroin may take longer to detox than people who snort it.

Recognizing the Signs

How Do You Know if Someone is Addicted to Heroin?

In the early stages of heroin use, there might not be any signs of a disorder. Heroin users often go to great lengths to hide their drug use. But the more it is used, the harder it is to hide.

Secrecy

Depression

Constipation

Drowsiness

Slurred speech

Financial issues

Memory problems

Needle marks (if injecting)

Nose sores or runny nose (if snorting)

School or employment problems

Risky or dangerous behaviors

Aggressive behavior

What Raises the Risk

Risk Factors for Opioid Use Disorder

Anyone who uses heroin is at risk for opioid use disorder (OUD), but the Mayo Clinic reports that some factors increase the risk of developing an addiction:

Unemployment

Heavy tobacco use

History of risk-taking behavior

History of severe depression or anxiety

Exposure to high-risk people and environments

Personal or family history of addiction to other substances

The Science

Why Does Heroin Addiction Develop?

It’s not about willpower. Heroin addiction is a substance use disorder (SUD), a chronic disease called opioid use disorder. It rewires the brain and makes it hard for people to quit, even when addiction is ruining their lives. Heroin reaches the brain quickly, and after using it once or twice, it can be challenging to stop again.

The Reward System

Opioid addiction happens when the brain’s reward system is taken over by opioids. This system normally rewards us with dopamine for things we need to do to survive, but heroin triggers dopamine levels that natural rewards can’t match. Over time, the brain is “rewired” and needs that higher level just to feel normal.

The Prescription Problem

People are often prescribed opioid pain medication by a doctor. When the prescription runs out, they crave the relief it provided, and turn to heroin, which is cheaper, stronger, and easier to get. Repeated opioid use stops natural dopamine production, so higher and more frequent doses are needed to feel the same pleasure.

After Detox

What Follows a Heroin Detox Program?

Patient in therapy during heroin detox treatment

Because heroin addiction is a disease of the brain, both pharmacological (medications) and behavioral treatments help restore normalcy to brain function and behavior. While each is helpful alone, research shows that combining them, under professional supervision, is the most effective approach.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Evidence shows that medical treatment of heroin use disorder increases the likelihood of patients staying in treatment longer, which reduces drug use, infectious disease transmission, and criminal activity. According to SAMHSA, people seeking recovery from opioid problems are more successful when they combine a prescribed medication with professional counseling and a strong support system. Typical medications include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.

MAT is a clinically proven treatment that helps manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal, cravings, and the rewarding feeling created by opioids, while addressing the physical changes heroin addiction has caused to the brain.

Counseling

Effective Therapies for Heroin Addiction

Individual Therapy

Clients work one-on-one with a counselor in confidential sessions to develop personal recovery goals and strategies. Individual therapy helps uncover deeply rooted motives for drug use or underlying mental and medical conditions.

Group Therapy

Up to 15 group members meet with one or two therapists to discuss treatment issues with peers in the same situation. Clients learn new perspectives and build valuable relapse-prevention skills.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A short-term therapy technique that helps the patient adjust behaviors and expectations as they relate to drug use. CBT focuses on the present, building new skills for coping with life’s stressors.

Contingency Management

Uses a point or voucher system to reward healthy behaviors. Clients earn points for clean drug tests and meeting attendance, redeemable for things like healthy meals or gym memberships.

Staying on Course

Preventing Relapse

One of the common complications of heroin addiction treatment and recovery is relapse. Addiction is a complex condition and recovery frequently includes obstacles. The main reason people relapse is the mistaken belief that the addiction is under control, and a desire to test that belief. Other common reasons include:

Thinking that “one last time can’t hurt”

An inability to cope with stress

Problems managing physical and emotional pain

Switching one drug for another

An inability to face triggers

Relapse Greatly Raises Overdose Risk

If you or someone close to you displays these behaviors, be aware that a relapse may be coming. People who relapse are far more susceptible to an overdose. The dose of heroin they used before might now be fatal.

You’re Not Alone

Find Help Through Our Heroin Detox Program

Heroin addiction is a severe condition, but it doesn’t have to be forever, or even long-term. For yourself or someone you love, this condition needs attention sooner rather than later. Currently, only 20% of people with opioid use disorder are receiving treatment. Don’t be part of the suffering majority.

Coastal Detox has a new heroin detox program and recovery facility in Stuart, Florida, on the beautiful Treasure Coast. After detoxing in our state-of-the-art facility, we offer four different treatment programs. One will fit your lifestyle, circumstances, and needs.

You don’t have to be from Florida to take advantage of our treatment center. Research shows that removing yourself from your environment frees you physically to address your problems. Our intake department is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions.

Common Questions

FAQs About Heroin Detox

Heroin detox is the process of clearing heroin and other toxins from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. It is important because withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and dangerous to face alone, and detox is the necessary first step before counseling and therapy can begin.

Heroin detox can take anywhere from a few days to more than a week. The length depends on factors like age, weight, genetics, mental health, tolerance, medical history, other substance use, method of use, and how long the person has been using heroin. People who inject heroin may take longer to detox than people who snort it.

Early symptoms include agitation, anxiety, muscle aches, increased tearing, runny nose, sweating, yawning, and insomnia. Later symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, goosebumps, nausea and vomiting, and dilated pupils. Symptoms typically begin within 12 hours of last heroin use and peak 48 to 72 hours after.

Withdrawal from heroin and other opioids on your own can be complicated and may be dangerous. Complications include aspiration from vomiting, dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, and most critically, relapse and overdose. Medical supervision is strongly recommended.

Yes. Medications such as lofexidine, methadone, buprenorphine (Subutex), and clonidine are commonly used to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and shorten the detox process. Additional medications may also help with sleep, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Detox is the first step. After detox, most clients transition into ongoing care that combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with counseling, including individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and contingency management, to address the psychological roots of addiction.

If you experience withdrawal symptoms when not using, cannot control your use, have tried to quit and relapsed, or your heroin use is harming your health, finances, or relationships, a medically supervised heroin detox program is likely necessary.

Coastal Detox accepts most major insurance providers, and self-pay options are also available. Our admissions team can verify your benefits and discuss coverage and payment options 24 hours a day.

Give Us a Call

Get Your Life Back: Start Your Heroin Detox in Florida Today

Coastal Detox accepts most major insurance providers, and self-pay options are available. Our admissions team answers 24/7 to discuss heroin detox coverage and payment options.