Heroin Addiction Treatment

Heroin is a highly addictive substance that falls into the opioid class and is made from morphine and a mixture of other substances. The dangerous and potent drug can be injected, snorted, or smoked. Furthermore, it will result in an extreme impact on the brain’s reward system. Heroin affects the brain’s pleasure chemicals, causing an immediate euphoric high followed by pleasure and relief. Due to this, Heroin addiction is common and can occur in as little as 2-3 weeks.

Sadly, those addicted to Heroin cannot feel normal without the drug because their brains can no longer produce natural amounts of feel-good chemicals (such as dopamine) on their own. As a result, Heroin addiction can lead to a host of short and long-term issues, such as low blood pressure, heart damage, cognitive damage, liver or kidney damage, and more.

After as little as 2-3 weeks of use, a person is at risk of becoming addicted to Heroin. When an individual is addicted to Heroin, it means that their brain cannot function without the drug, and if they stop using can undergo severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.

Some common physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms that Heroin addiction treatment may be the right choice for you or a loved one are:

1. You are craving heroin and experiencing withdrawal symptoms as soon as your last dose has worn off, usually within 6 to 12 hours.
2. You often isolate yourself to use or hide the amount of Heroin you use from others.
3. You need to take more Heroin to experience the same high as your last use.
4. You have lost romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships due to your drug addiction.
5. You have experienced significant financial or property loss to fund your Heroin addiction.
6. You have begun to experience new or worsening mental health disorders from your Heroin abuse.
7. You have tried to quit cold turkey in the past but could not achieve long-term recovery.

The Heroin detox process looks like Opioid detox, but since Heroin leaves the body faster than painkillers, withdrawal comes about more quickly. Heroin withdrawal is often compared to a terrible case of the flu, with withdrawal and discomfort starting around day two and lasting around seven days. While Heroin withdrawal may look different depending on the individual, common symptoms include anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, mood swings, sweating, and more. 

The duration of withdrawal is usually dependent on factors such as how long someone has been abusing Heroin, how much Heroin they took each time they used it, how often they used Heroin, the method of consumption, and the presence of underlying medical issues. Depending on how heavily someone is used, Heroin abusers are also at risk of suffering from post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), which involves similar symptoms that can last as long as 24 months.

Before entering a treatment center for Heroin addiction, you will need to complete detoxification. During detox, our medical professionals provide around-the-clock medical support to ensure your comfort and safety. Our medical team will determine if medication-assisted treatment is right for you based on your unique situation. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves using specific medications to decrease cravings and ease Heroin withdrawal symptoms. 

Following Heroin detox, we inspire clients to enter residential treatment to explore the root causes of their Heroin addiction, which is an essential next step in long-term recovery. Heroin abuse can lead to a host of health issues if left untreated.

There are a variety of different treatment program types that may assist you in the recovery journey. Here are some of the most common treatment center models.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the first step toward lasting recovery from Heroin addiction. During Heroin detox, you will receive 24/7 medical care and support from medical professionals to ensure a safe, comfortable, and effective withdrawal process.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment, otherwise referred to as residential treatment, provides a safe and structured atmosphere where clients live at our treatment facility for 24/7 support. The duration of inpatient treatment relies on various factors, including substance abuse history and medical conditions.

During inpatient treatment, clients participate in numerous therapies, such as individual, group, and family therapy, while attending support meetings, educational courses, and more. This is to gain the tools needed for long-term recovery from Heroin addiction.

Partial Hospitalization Treatment

After completing inpatient treatment, clients are encouraged to participate in partial hospitalization. Partial hospitalization is a form of outpatient treatment. Additionally, this involves therapy and treatment modalities for a set number of hours and days each week, with participants returning home to sleep.

For example, clients may attend our partial hospitalization program (PHP) for Heroin addiction for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. While attending PHP, clients participate in various approaches to addiction treatment. Such as 12-step programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, EMDR therapy, holistic therapies, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and more.

Outpatient Treatment

Once you have completed inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization, you may desire to move on to standard outpatient rehab. Outpatient treatment offers ongoing support and therapies for continued recovery following more intensive Heroin addiction treatment. This is similar to an intensive outpatient or PHP program but with more flexibility in program selection and attendance.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is used to address mental health disorders coupled with Heroin addiction simultaneously. Mental health disorders can include anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more.

Depending on the treatment center, you may have access to a variety of addiction treatment therapeutic modalities. Here are some of the most common offerings in treatment centers.

Individual Therapy

Individual counseling is an individualized care approach where clients meet with a counselor in direct contact. This is to address Heroin substance abuse treatment concerns and build the coping skills needed for recovery. During individual therapy, counselors cover Ketamine addiction, triggers, tools to defeat it, and more topics.

Group Therapy

In group therapy, people with addiction meet with others at different stages of recovery to discuss their substance use and mental health issues, whether it is heroin addiction or other types of addiction. During group therapy, clients can strengthen their support system to reinforce their recovery from heroin.

Family Therapy

It’s common for those struggling with Heroin addiction to have loved ones who have been negatively affected by their addiction. In family counseling, a therapist will help the recovering heroin addict and their family tackle issues that may impact their recovery journey. Furthermore, this is ideal for individuals requiring extra family support or for families seeking to understand heroin addiction better.

Therapeutic Activities

Therapeutic activities offer a creative and expressive outlet to develop coping skills for Heroin addiction recovery. Some therapeutic activities include nature therapy, animal therapy, art therapy, meditation therapy, music therapy, and more.

The drug and alcohol abuse programs at 4 Seasons Detox work to meet your special care needs so that you can defeat Heroin addiction and live the life you deserve.

If you are ready to make the next step toward a Heroin-free life, call us at (805) 991-5111. If not, fill out our contact form to receive a call from us.

Concerned About Payment?

The thought of paying for Heroin addiction treatment should not stop you from seeking the treatment you need. Therefore, if you are unsure about insurance coverage, you can view our list of covered providers or fill out a request for insurance information. Our treatment team is also available to help you navigate your insurance benefits.