Treatment options for heroin addiction typically combine intensive therapies, support groups, and medications in an inpatient or outpatient setting to provide support and professional supervision throughout the detoxification process and during the earliest stages of sobriety when the risk of relapse is high.
Heroin Detox
The first step in achieving recovery is to detox from the drug. It’s common for people who have used heroin for a long time to develop a chemical dependency. Quitting “cold-turkey” (completely quitting use all at once) can put long-term users through withdrawal syndrome, which causes uncomfortable symptoms such as:
- Increased pulse
- Increased breathing rate
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Muscle spasms and pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
The discomfort during withdrawal contributes to the difficulty of quitting, but getting through these symptoms is a necessary first step in recovery. Detox at our center enables people to successfully complete this critical phase, by providing intensive, 24/7 medical support and supervision, including medications for cravings and symptom management.
Medications to Assist With Heroin Detoxification
Various medications can be used to assist with heroin detox, including:
- Naltrexone: Naltrexone may be most commonly known for its use in treating alcohol addiction, but it can also be used during early recovery to reduce heroin cravings and block heroin’s euphoric effects.
- Buprenorphine: As a partial opiate agonist, this medication binds to the same receptors as heroin to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Suboxone® : Suboxone combines buprenorphine and naloxone to relieve withdrawal symptoms while also inhibiting heroin’s effects.
- Clonidine: This antihypertensive medication helps reduce many of the common symptoms associated with heroin detox. It helps reduce the heart rate and relax blood vessels to alleviate the physical symptoms of anxiety present during withdrawal. It can also suppress impulsivity, which can be effective in reducing or resisting cravings.
Inpatient Heroin Rehab
Once an individual has completed detox, they can enter inpatient residential treatment to manage their addiction. This provides a stable, supportive, and structured environment for weeks to months, depending on the severity of the person’s addiction and their needs. While living at the rehabilitation facility, they receive ongoing treatment and assistance in a controlled space that minimizes triggers and negative influences that might result in a relapse. During inpatient rehab, people receive treatments such as:
- Regular Therapy: Ongoing therapy, continuing from where the patient left off in detox, helps the individual recognize and address thought processes, decisions, and actions that have contributed to their addiction — so they are empowered to make better choices in the future. Therapy can also address any co-occurring disorders that may increase the likelihood of substance use.
- Nutritional Treatment: Heroin addiction is usually associated with vitamin deficiencies. Nutritional treatment helps the individual develop a healthy diet that supports both their mental and physical health.
- Group Sessions: Participation in support groups allows people to share their struggles with others like them. These groups provide opportunities for trust and connection that build a strong foundation for recovery.
- Holistic Treatments: Holistic therapies address individuals’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing, through noninvasive techniques like meditation, yoga, and experiential therapy.
- Family Therapy: Attending family therapy can be helpful in improving relationships with loved ones and bolstering one’s support network.
Outpatient Heroin Rehab
Outpatient rehab involves attending rehabilitative treatments while living outside the facility. Intensive outpatient rehab, sometimes known as “partial hospitalization,” typically requires four to five hours of treatments and care per day, three to five times per week. Patients receive the same therapies and treatments that were administered in inpatient rehab but at a step-down level of care.
Ongoing Treatment and Preventing Relapse
After completing a treatment program, individuals still have work to do. Maintaining heroin recovery is a lifelong process, often requiring immense support for the first few years. Some people work with a sponsor or mentor to remain grounded and avoid relapse. Others attend support groups and 12-step programs.
If you are struggling to stop using heroin, our addiction and psychiatric professionals at Sunlight Recovery can help. Our counselors can walk you through your treatment options and explain the detox and recovery process. Contact us today to take your first step toward recovery and a happier, healthier life.
