Heroin is known to have one of the most severe effects on an individual. It falls under the category of opioids. These types of drugs are depressants. Depressants slow down central nervous system activities which result in a more relaxed and sleepy feeling for the user. They also help in lessening the pain one feels. Depressants do not specifically work on making a person feeling depressed or sad. They result in euphoria more than depression.
Because heroin is one of the stronger types of drugs, withdrawal and the addiction treatment process for it can be challenging. Most people opt for an inpatient detox where you stay at a rehabilitation centre where you get the medical, psychological, and emotional support throughout your withdrawal and heroin rehab process.
Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience:
- Cold flashes
- Bone pain
- Muscle cramping
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
General weakness, nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sneezing are also common heroin withdrawal symptoms.
Types of Heroin Addiction Treatment
Heroin Addiction Treatment is advised to be a medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT can prevent one’s urge to use drugs while also minimizing the intensity and possibility of experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Various FDA-approved drugs are proven to help you fight the cravings of using heroin and also reduce withdrawal symptoms. These can be used during the detox process, although some of these can be used long-term.
- Suboxone – this drug is a mixture of naloxone and buprenorphine. This helps in reversing overdose from opioid. Although, some types of drugs are stronger than suboxone.
- Buorenorphine – this reduces urges to use heroin. Although there is a low possibility that you can get high from this rehab drug, you may still be prone to abusing it when it feels extremely difficult for you to fight tendencies.
- Naltrexone – this helps in disabling you from feeling any pleasure in using heroin. It is non-addictive, and research shows it becomes more effective the more you use it.
- Methadone – this type of drug makes it impossible to feel high when you use heroin. However, methadone can be highly addictive and can be abused by patients. Overdoses can even be experienced with this drug when the patient is not carefully monitored.
You may think MAT is enough for your withdrawal, but it’s not. Other types of treatments are also essential such as:
Behavioural Therapy Treatment
Heroin users have more tendency to relapse than other users. The rehabilitation process from drugs requires one to get rid of old habits and learn new ones that would help prevent relapses. More so, heroin use is often associated with trauma and other mental health concerns, and this needs to be addressed during the recovery process as well so one can understand their heroin addiction better and address it the right way.
Through therapy, one of the goals you should aim for is developing how you can cope with stressful environments without resorting to drugs to deal with them since stressful events are one of the most triggering experiences for heroin users.
Heroin addiction treatments are extremely challenging, but they’re not impossible. With discipline, consistency, willingness, and support, you’ll be able to power through. Keep in mind that making this step will change yours and your loved one’s lives for the better.
