Heroin detox is one of the most important and complicated parts of the addiction recovery process. There are six possible ways to do that, and in every case it is not recommended to do it alone, what means that at least a support of your friends and family is required, and additionally, you might even seek the professional help.
To achieve the goal people usually spend up to 90 days in the recovery center, and in some cases it is recommended to stay there more. Unfortunately, the inpatient rehab centers are very expensive and even despite having health insurance, you may need to pay a lot. However, even if you cannot pay yourself or rely on the financial support of friends or family, you still can get a professional assistance, since there are numerous facilities funded by the state available where you can get treatment for free. You can use internet to find free or at least affordable treatment programs for heroin recovery.
So, depending on your current situation, there are six ways to detox from heroin.
Despite it is the cheapest and simplest method available the “cold-turkey” heroin detox in most cases is not successful because of its acute side effects. This way implies that the addicted person just stops heroin intake without any professional support. Heroin withdrawal effects are not lasting long in this case, however, they may be extremely severe unlike in other possible methods. “Cold-turkey” method is known to be the most dangerous among others, since it is coupled with morbid thoughts and overall physical, mental and emotional strain.
This way to detox from heroin is very popular among addicts, however it is not as effective as they think. The “warm-turkey” method means intake of lesser drugs instead of heroin, for example other opiates or Xanax, in order to replace the heroin with less harmful substances. But, as it was mentioned before, this method is not effective, because usually it leads to addiction to new drugs without helping with heroin addiction treatment. It is essential to note, that some of these “substitutes” are chemical substances, which being taken in high doses can do even more harm than heroin. The only possible way to make this method work is to schedule intake with step-by-step dose decrease, what requires not only the strength of will but also dosage calculation skills.
This heroin detox method implies the intake of few over-the-counter drugs at the same time. They include:
Use of prescription medications such as Methadone or Suboxone is also known as the way of heroin detoxing. However, this practice can have an adverse effect, because as a result of such treatment, the addiction to these drugs may occur, what usually leads to relapse. Additionally, both have numerous side effects. So, before entering this way of heroin detox, patient should learn all the risks and consequences for his health.
For example, Methadone, when used long time, has more severe withdrawal symptoms than heroin. So, to solve the addiction problem, a person who is going to use this prescription medication for heroin detox procedure should create a plan of withdrawal.
Suboxone has numerous side effects as well. The most common are vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, constipation, dizziness and headaches. If these effects become worsen or persist during long time, addict should contact his pharmacist or doctor.
It is highly recommended to eat enough high-fiber foods, exercise and drink a lot of liquids to prevent constipation. Additionally, pharmacists recommend using laxatives of stimulant type, which include a stool softener.
Also, when you have to get up from lying or sitting position, you should move slowly because there is a risk of lightheadedness and dizziness.
You may experience serious breathing issues in case you mix Suboxone with depressants, like benzodiazepines, alcohol etc. If you suffer from severe side effects, such as fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, mood changes, severe dizziness, unusual drowsiness, waking up difficulty, slow or shallow breathing, you need to get professional medical help as soon as possible.
In rare cases, Suboxone may cause heavy, and even lethal liver disease. If you have noticed such liver damage symptoms as vomiting, persistent nausea, appetite loss, dark urine, eyes and skin yellowing, get medical help immediately.
Also, severe allergic reactions sometimes occur, so if you notice itching or swelling, rash, trouble breathing or dizziness, consult a doctor right away.
The main issue of Suboxone is the fact that it is easily available from drug dealers and has a lot of really dangerous side effects when mixed with other substances, even alcohol or marijuana. Drug addicts like mixing, and as a result, their try to detox with help of prescription medications can do more harm than benefit.
This method is known as one of the best. In inpatient medical facilities addicts can have relatively easy heroin detox by taking competently prescribed medications, which help to alleviate side effects. These centers usually use Suboxone to replace heroin, and support patient with Trazodone to help him with sleep and Clonidine to normalize blood pressure and reduce anxiety. This method is effective, it protects addicts from outside temptations, however requires acceptance and will to get clean from the patient.
Usually, treatment in inpatient medical facility is expensive in case you don’t have suitable medical insurance, but there is still an option to find some recovery center funded by the state or charity organizations, which help those who want to recover, but lack funds.
It is probably the most efficient way to overcome addiction. Here the person addicted to heroin gets all required treatment and help with detox in professionally controlled and safe environment.
Usually, among staff at such centers, there are people who have had experience with drugs and overcame this issue themselves. Addicts here get not only professional help with medications, dieting and detox process, but also moral support from others. The staff usually guides patients how to stay sober during the recovery period and how to start their new lives without drugs.
If you need to quickly detox from heroin with the purpose of passing drug test, try heroin detox kit, that cleanses body from traces of all opiates in just few hours.
To achieve the goal people usually spend up to 90 days in the recovery center, and in some cases it is recommended to stay there more. Unfortunately, the inpatient rehab centers are very expensive and even despite having health insurance, you may need to pay a lot. However, even if you cannot pay yourself or rely on the financial support of friends or family, you still can get a professional assistance, since there are numerous facilities funded by the state available where you can get treatment for free. You can use internet to find free or at least affordable treatment programs for heroin recovery.
So, depending on your current situation, there are six ways to detox from heroin.
1. “Cold-turkey” heroin detox
Despite it is the cheapest and simplest method available the “cold-turkey” heroin detox in most cases is not successful because of its acute side effects. This way implies that the addicted person just stops heroin intake without any professional support. Heroin withdrawal effects are not lasting long in this case, however, they may be extremely severe unlike in other possible methods. “Cold-turkey” method is known to be the most dangerous among others, since it is coupled with morbid thoughts and overall physical, mental and emotional strain.
2. “Warm-turkey” method
This way to detox from heroin is very popular among addicts, however it is not as effective as they think. The “warm-turkey” method means intake of lesser drugs instead of heroin, for example other opiates or Xanax, in order to replace the heroin with less harmful substances. But, as it was mentioned before, this method is not effective, because usually it leads to addiction to new drugs without helping with heroin addiction treatment. It is essential to note, that some of these “substitutes” are chemical substances, which being taken in high doses can do even more harm than heroin. The only possible way to make this method work is to schedule intake with step-by-step dose decrease, what requires not only the strength of will but also dosage calculation skills.
3. Use of over-the-counter drugs
This heroin detox method implies the intake of few over-the-counter drugs at the same time. They include:
- Ibuprofen to alleviate body aches.
- Some anti-diarrhea remedies, which help to facilitate stomach knots that addicts in withdrawal have.
- Sleep aids, for example melatonin, to overcome various sleep problems, known as one of the major challenges during heroin detox.
- Antihistamines, which will treat restless legs.
- Cough syrup, that serves to reduce body chills.
4. Detox with the help of prescription medications
Use of prescription medications such as Methadone or Suboxone is also known as the way of heroin detoxing. However, this practice can have an adverse effect, because as a result of such treatment, the addiction to these drugs may occur, what usually leads to relapse. Additionally, both have numerous side effects. So, before entering this way of heroin detox, patient should learn all the risks and consequences for his health.
For example, Methadone, when used long time, has more severe withdrawal symptoms than heroin. So, to solve the addiction problem, a person who is going to use this prescription medication for heroin detox procedure should create a plan of withdrawal.
Suboxone has numerous side effects as well. The most common are vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, constipation, dizziness and headaches. If these effects become worsen or persist during long time, addict should contact his pharmacist or doctor.
It is highly recommended to eat enough high-fiber foods, exercise and drink a lot of liquids to prevent constipation. Additionally, pharmacists recommend using laxatives of stimulant type, which include a stool softener.
Also, when you have to get up from lying or sitting position, you should move slowly because there is a risk of lightheadedness and dizziness.
You may experience serious breathing issues in case you mix Suboxone with depressants, like benzodiazepines, alcohol etc. If you suffer from severe side effects, such as fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, mood changes, severe dizziness, unusual drowsiness, waking up difficulty, slow or shallow breathing, you need to get professional medical help as soon as possible.
In rare cases, Suboxone may cause heavy, and even lethal liver disease. If you have noticed such liver damage symptoms as vomiting, persistent nausea, appetite loss, dark urine, eyes and skin yellowing, get medical help immediately.
Also, severe allergic reactions sometimes occur, so if you notice itching or swelling, rash, trouble breathing or dizziness, consult a doctor right away.
The main issue of Suboxone is the fact that it is easily available from drug dealers and has a lot of really dangerous side effects when mixed with other substances, even alcohol or marijuana. Drug addicts like mixing, and as a result, their try to detox with help of prescription medications can do more harm than benefit.
5. Inpatient medical facilities
This method is known as one of the best. In inpatient medical facilities addicts can have relatively easy heroin detox by taking competently prescribed medications, which help to alleviate side effects. These centers usually use Suboxone to replace heroin, and support patient with Trazodone to help him with sleep and Clonidine to normalize blood pressure and reduce anxiety. This method is effective, it protects addicts from outside temptations, however requires acceptance and will to get clean from the patient.
Usually, treatment in inpatient medical facility is expensive in case you don’t have suitable medical insurance, but there is still an option to find some recovery center funded by the state or charity organizations, which help those who want to recover, but lack funds.
6. Heroin detox in rehab centers
It is probably the most efficient way to overcome addiction. Here the person addicted to heroin gets all required treatment and help with detox in professionally controlled and safe environment.
Usually, among staff at such centers, there are people who have had experience with drugs and overcame this issue themselves. Addicts here get not only professional help with medications, dieting and detox process, but also moral support from others. The staff usually guides patients how to stay sober during the recovery period and how to start their new lives without drugs.
Heroin detox for drug test
If you need to quickly detox from heroin with the purpose of passing drug test, try heroin detox kit, that cleanses body from traces of all opiates in just few hours.
