Drug rehabilitation is not an easy process, no matter what the substance of choice is. However, going to a California heroin rehab can differ from attending rehab for other drugs. Heroin lasts much longer, and withdrawal and detox are a lot more complicated. Heroin is classified as an opioid is among the most addictive in this class.

The reason heroin is so much different from other drugs is that even small doses have profound effects on the body. According to Harvard Medical Center^[1], the symptoms of a typical dose of heroin can last up to six hours. Once a person becomes addicted to heroin, the body physically craves the drug, and a cyclic pattern of addiction begins. A person using heroin endures painful physical symptoms once the drug starts to wear off an this leads the addicted individual to use more to alleviate the pain and intense cravings.

Despite how it feels, heroin withdrawal is rarely fatal, but the person going through withdrawals may feel extremely sick. For this reason, it is advised that a person dealing with heroin addiction seek the help of qualified professionals at a reputable California heroin rehab facility. Find out what to expect when undergoing treatment for heroin addiction.

The Heroin Withdrawal Process

When a person addicted to heroin decides to seek treatment, the beginning stages can be very challenging. Withdrawal from heroin occurs as soon as four hours from the last dose and produces severe flu-like symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person depends on factors like how long the person was using heroin, their weigh, other health conditions, as well as any other drugs or alcohol they have used.

Common heroin withdrawal symptoms^[2] include:

Runny nose, sneezing
Profuse sweating
Mood swings, including increased aggression
Anxiety and confusion
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Muscle spasms

Heroin withdrawal can last up to 10 days for most addicted individuals, but for those who have used heroin chronically for years, withdrawals can last for as long as 30 days. When a person decides to seek treatment for heroin addiction, it is advised that they do so with the assistance of a rehab facility specializing in heroin addiction treatment.

Detoxing from Heroin

As a person withdraws from heroin, the drug leaves their system, but the effects of use will still be present. For this reason, heroin detox in a rehab facility should be medically supervised^[3]. Though heroin detox is generally not fatal, medically supervised detox allows addiction treatment professionals to monitor moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms and intervene with medication if necessary.

There are several medications used to help individuals beat their heroin addiction, and those medications can make the withdrawal process less stressful. Commonly used heroin withdrawal and maintenance medications include:

Methadone: One of the most frequently used medicines for opioid detox, methadone^[4] can be started at the beginning of the detox process and is typically used as a maintenance medication following successful opioid treatment.

Buprenorphine: Used to shorten detox time, Buprenorphine^[5] also minimizes cravings for heroin and other opioids by reducing the euphoric effects of the drug.

Clonidine: This medication is used to treat the physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal. Specifically, clonidine^[6] helps with muscle aches, agitation, and anxiety.

Codeine Phosphate: Used to curb cravings and lessen withdrawal symptoms, codeine phosphate^[7] is another commonly used medication for heroin withdrawal.

Seeking Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Detoxing from heroin is not a process that should be attempted alone. But more than that, it’s only the first step. Getting rid of physical addiction is not enough for long-lasting recovery and it’s important not to solely rely on heroin treatment drugs for recovery. Ocean Hills Recovery, a top California heroin rehab, can not only help with heroin detox but also the transitional phase of dealing with what started the addiction in the first place.

Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of effective treatment modalities to treat the whole person and help them maintain sobriety. The experts at Ocean Hills Recovery offer medically supervised detox, individual and group therapy, and comprehensive aftercare services. If you or a loved one need specialized addiction treatment services, look no further than the professionals at Ocean Hills Recovery.

Sources:

[1] https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/hms-live/opioid-crisis

[2] https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

[3] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction/section-iii/7-medical-detoxification

[4] https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682134.html

[5] https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/buprenorphine

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6765486

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

What Happens in Heroin Rehab?