Heroin Detox Center In Florida
Heroin and other opioids are among the world’s most difficult and dangerous substances to quit. Withdrawal symptoms from heroin and other opioids often go beyond uncomfortable to become painful, and sometimes even deadly.
In fact, many people give up on their recovery from heroin because the withdrawal symptoms are so difficult. However, the Retreat of Broward offers hope for those addicted to heroin. Our heroin detox center in Florida empowers people to stick to their recovery goals as they complete detox.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is a powerful and highly addictive substance opioid. Opioids are a category of drug that includes morphine, fentanyl, opium, and various prescription painkillers. Heroin usually appears as either a powder or a sticky, tar-like substance. It can be smoked, snorted, or injected into the veins via hypodermic needle.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug in the U.S. This means it poses a high risk for addiction and claims no legitimate medical use. It works by interacting with parts of the central nervous system associated with pleasure and pain. Meanwhile, it disrupts areas of the brain that control automatic functions like body temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
When a person uses heroin, they often experience an intense, euphoric “rush.” This is often accompanied by a decrease in physical pain. Together, these effects make heroin attractive to those seeking a recreational high. However, the rush of heroin lasts for only a few minutes.
Because it also affects how the brain regulates the operations of the heart and lungs, an overdose of heroin can be fatal. Symptoms of a heroin overdose include loss of consciousness, shallow breathing, faint pulse, and a significant drop in body temperature. In fact, anyone exhibiting these signs of heroin overdose requires immediate medical care.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use
The signs and symptoms of heroin use tend to vary from person to person. Some of the factors that can affect the severity and frequency of symptoms are how long the person has been using heroin, the amount of heroin they typically use, and whether the person is using substances in addition to heroin. Age and physical makeup can also factor in to the severity and frequency of symptoms.
The physical signs and symptoms of heroin use include:
- Dry mouth
- Runny nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- “Track marks” or sites of injection on the arms and legs
- Scabbing or bruising
Meanwhile, the behavioral signs and symptoms of heroin use include:
- Increased need for sleep
- Slurred speech
- Inability to fulfill responsibilities
- Skin-picking
- Risky behaviors
- Bursts of hyperactivity
While the above symptoms are more obvious, cognitive and psychosocial symptoms of heroin use include poor decision making, paranoia, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, lack of self-control, isolation, and bouts of anxiety.
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Dangers of Heroin Addiction
Every addictive substance has its dangers, but the dangers of heroin addiction must be taken extremely seriously. After all, there are risks associated with long-term heroin use that have profound effects on the life and well-being of the user, as well as those of their family and friends.
Like other opioids, heroin affects the body’s respiratory system, that network of organs that helps the body receive oxygen. In fact, a slowed respiratory system can put a person into a coma, giving them brain damage due to the lack of oxygen. This is a condition called hypoxia. With every use, heroin carries a substantial risk of overdose. Also, it comes with a risk of contracting infectious diseases, collapsed veins, heart infections, liver and kidney disease, and other risk factors.
The most common dangers of heroin addiction include:
- Addiction
- Accidental overdose
- Cellulitis
- Pericarditis
- Infection of heart valves
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Pneumonia
- Abscesses at injection sites
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Seizures
Meanwhile, abruptly ending heroin use—or going “cold turkey”—has its share of dangers. As a matter of fact, without proper medical and staff supervision at a heroin detox center in Florida, withdrawal from regular heroin use can stress the body to the point that the user may require hospitalization.
Heroin Detox And Withdrawal Timeline
The withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction tend to be the most intense in the first few days after a person stops using. Most inpatient detox programs last between a week and 10 days. After that, the person can continue treatment for lingering symptoms or underlying mental health conditions. Of course, no one is “finished” with treatment after detox. After all, they need aftercare treatment for a successful recovery.
Heroin withdrawal and detox follow this timeline, with some variations among each person:
Six to 12 Hours
Withdrawal symptoms should appear about six to 12 hours after the individual stops using heroin. These symptoms tend to be mild. However, symptoms and cravings will get worse as detox continues.
Days One to Three
Withdrawal symptoms will peak in intensity sometime during the first three days of detox. During the peak phase, a person could have severe withdrawal symptoms and need medical interventions. This phase of detox is often the most intense in terms of physical symptoms.
Symptoms Subside
After symptoms peak, they continue to subside over the rest of the week. Some acute symptoms can linger. Nevertheless, most of the intense symptoms should go away. After about seven to 10 days in detox, a person should transition to the next phase of their treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment During Detox
Medications help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings, and even prevent overdose in case of a relapse. In fact, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved specific medications for heroin detox in a form of therapy called medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
MAT specifically combines medications with behavioral therapy, including individual and group therapy. At Retreat of Broward, our FDA-approved medications for heroin detox include Naltrexone, Buprenorphine, and Methadone. A medically supervised detox program can help each person decide which medication, if any, is best for them.
Begin Recovery at Our Heroin Detox Center in Florida
Heroin addiction can be one of the most challenging addictions to treat. Also, due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, many people do not get through the detox phase when they attempt to quit on their own. However, our heroin detox center near Fort Lauderdale, Florida can help you detox safely with our services in our secure inpatient facility.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs and start your treatment.
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