Heroin is a highly addictive opioid sold illicitly on the street. Although the rates of heroin use have decreased over recent years, the overdose rates for this drug remain high. According to the CDC, around 7% of all opioid overdose deaths in 2022 involved heroin [1].
Heroin creates a physical dependency by altering brain chemistry. This can make it incredibly difficult to quit on its own, often requiring medically supervised detox and a rehab program to support long-term sobriety.
Read on for a guide on what detox is, what to expect during the withdrawal process, and how to support a loved one in heroin detox.
What Is Heroin Detox?
Detoxification or “detox” is the physical removal of drugs or alcohol from the body. Detoxing from heroin is a complex process that includes both physical and psychological components. Opioids create a strong physical dependence, often causing intense and painful withdrawal symptoms [2].
Some of the symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Runny nose, sore throat, chills, or other flu-like symptoms
- Intense cravings for sugar
- Irritability or aggression
- Change in appetite
How Long Does Heroin Detox Last?
The length of heroin detox varies from person to person. In general, it may last five to seven days for heroin to fully leave the body. However, withdrawal symptoms can last for several weeks following. Here is the general timeline for heroin detox:
- First 24 Hours: Mild withdrawal symptoms usually start 6-24 hours after last use. May include upset stomach, sweating, and mild cravings.
- 24-72 hours: For the following few days after last use, symptoms often peak with intensity. Individuals may experience severe nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, intense anxiety, and changes in sleep or appetite.
- After the First Week: Physical symptoms begin to lessen in intensity, however, individuals may experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, and drug cravings for months following detox.
It is highly recommended for recovering heroin addicts to enter a residential treatment program (rehab) following detox. This can improve the chances of long-term recovery, prevent relapse, and help them manage the residual effects of heroin withdrawal.
Factors that Impact Heroin Detox
There are several factors that can impact the detox timeline. These include:
- Substance used: Heroin tends to be one of the most challenging drugs to detox from, with stronger cravings and more intense withdrawal symptoms. If individuals mix heroin with other drugs (cocaine, meth, etc.), this can also impact the detox timeline.
- Severity of addiction: This includes frequency and length of use. The longer someone has been abusing heroin, the more it has built up in the body and the longer the withdrawal process can take.
- Presence of co-occurring mental health problems: Individuals struggling with mental health challenges such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, among others, make the detox process more complex.
- Available support: Having loved ones support you throughout recovery can make treatment more effective and increase successful outcomes. This could include having family therapy as part of the treatment plan, sharing similar experiences in group therapy, and joining support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Medications Used in Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Medication plays a crucial role in the detox process by managing cravings and alleviating withdrawal pain. Some of the most common medications used in heroin detox include:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone): A partial opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings without the same euphoria as heroin.
- Methadone: A long-acting opioid agonist that helps stabilize those in opioid recovery by easing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. Methadone can also become addictive, so this requires careful monitoring under the supervision of a trained medical professional.
- Clonidine: An anti-hypertensive drug that is used off-label to manage physical symptoms of withdrawal such as sweating, anxiety, or insomnia.
- Naltrexone: This is sometimes used after detox to block the effects of opioids, helping to prevent relapse and support long-term recovery.
- Naloxone (Narcan): Used in emergencies such as the case of an overdose, Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, providing time to get an individual to the hospital and into treatment.
Supporting A Loved One in Detox
Taking the first step to enter detox is often the most challenging part of the recovery process. Individuals struggling with heroin addiction may have fear about the detox process and anxiety around the potentially painful symptoms of withdrawal. Having a support system is key to a successful outcome.
Here are a few ways you can best support a loved one going through detox:
- Educate yourself about addiction and the detox process to provide the most effective support. A few resources to get you started are:
- Actively listen to what they are going through, validate how they are feeling, and avoid making any judgemental or stigmatizing statements about substance abuse.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s normal to want clarity about what a loved one is going through in addiction. If you feel you need extra support addressing the issue, reach out to your primary care doctor, an addiction counselor, a family support group, or friends who have gone through similar experiences.
- Keep drugs and alcohol out of the home. Support your loved one by not enabling their addiction. Keep alcohol locked away, and put any prescriptions you have in a secure place that your loved one can’t access.
- Do activities together to help strengthen your bond, reduce stress, and distract them from cravings. Try hiking, taking a cooking class, watching a movie, riding a bike, or participating in yoga together.
- Practice self-care. You can’t provide support if you’re not taking care of yourself. Make sure to take time for yourself to destress, check in on how you are feeling, and take care of your own mental health.
- Set boundaries with your loved one. Sometimes individuals with addiction struggle to recognize boundaries. You can let them know in a direct and compassionate way where your limits are. Some boundary-setting statements include:
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- “I’m not able to do this for you right now, but I can help you find someone who can help.”
- “I’m not in the headspace to speak with you about this right now, but we can talk at a better time.”
- “Drugs and alcohol are not allowed in my home. Please respect this, and I will be happy to welcome you.”
- “I can’t commit to helping you right now, but resources are available that you may find supportive.”
Residential Detox in Michigan
Rushton Recovery understands the complex nature of drug & alcohol recovery. We prioritize your well-being, safety, and comfort during treatment. Our detox and residential treatment center in Michigan offers a healing space to embark on your journey toward sobriety.
We offer evidence-based therapies designed to evolve with your individual needs and address the root of your substance abuse. Let our team help you get clean, repair relationships, and equip you with the skills to achieve long-term recovery. Reach out to our Admissions team now.
Sources
[1] Heroin Overdose Prevention. 2024. CDC.
[2] Heroin Research Report. 2012. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
