Heroin Detox in Anaheim, California

Heroin is an addictive drug that quickly makes users feel dependent on the substance. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that deaths from heroin overdose are declining, the addiction still ruins lives.

The drug changes your brain by decreasing natural dopamine and serotonin production. You’ll notice changes in your brain receptors that cause you to breathe more shallowly than usual. Your brain won’t get enough oxygen, causing it and other organs to function poorly.

Over time, a heroin addict’s brain will resemble an Alzheimer’s patient’s. They’ll experience brain inflammation and experience a type of dementia. Heroin has a powerful hold over users, so taking the steps to detox seems complicated. Professionals can help, so read on to find out about the detox process. 

What Is Heroin Detox?

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), heroin is a Schedule I drug. That means it has high addiction potential and countless examples of drug abuse. Heroin changes your brain makeup and can cause your organs to shut down with prolonged use, so detoxing is a significant undertaking.

Some users try to quit cold turkey. Even the strongest people struggle with detoxing alone because the symptoms can get intense. You might think you can do it alone, but you could find yourself at risk of dehydration, suicide ideation, heart problems, and relapsing.

Relying on professionals ensures you’re able to detox while remaining healthy. You can take certain medications to ease the withdrawal symptoms. Counselors can talk to you about your heroin addiction, getting your life back, and how to stay on the right path. Your chances of relapse decrease by 40% to 60% when you feel supported while detoxing.

Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the heroin addiction. People who have used the drug for a long time will be more dependent on the effects of heroin, so they might struggle more with the detox process. Those who took higher doses of heroin might also have more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Many people note that what they feel during detox is the opposite of what they feel on heroin. There’s no rush of pleasure, and their heart may pound, making them feel anxious instead of laid-back. The stark contrast between these feelings and what the person knows can seem abrupt and uncomfortable.

Users who have already tapered off slightly might not experience such severe symptoms. Casual users also have a less difficult time detoxing from heroin. Regardless of your circumstances, the pain of withdrawal is much better than the alternative of feeding your heroin addiction.

Most people experience the following symptoms to some degree:

• nausea and stomach pains
• profuse sweating
• shaking and spasms
• irritability and anxiety
• depression
• cravings for heroin.

The symptoms aren’t dangerous on their own, with many saying it feels like the ongoing flu. However, users who experience extreme vomiting and diarrhea can become dehydrated or suffer heart problems. Detoxing in a medical environment is the best practice to prevent this complication. 

Specific severe symptoms, like depression and cravings, can be dangerous if you’re detoxing on your own. Depression can quickly escalate into suicide attempts for users who can’t fathom living without heroin. Drug cravings can feel so extreme that you use more heroin to ease the pain.

The worst symptom of heroin detox is the craving. If you’re trying to quit heroin cold turkey or detoxing alone, you risk relapsing when the feeling gets overpowering. Seeking help at a detox center exponentially increases the likelihood of successful detox. You’ll stay in a safe environment with professionals who can help you heal and get on the right path.

Call us today to learn more about our heroin detox facility in Anaheim, California.

Heroin Detox Timeline

Detoxing timelines can vary depending on the extent of the addiction. Heroin is a short-acting drug, which means you feel the effects immediately after consumption. It also leaves your bloodstream quickly, so heroin withdrawal can start as soon as eight hours after the last consumption. In some cases, it might not begin until 30 hours later. 

The general timeline for detoxing is four to ten days for the heaviest users. Treatment lasting a month or longer might make the most significant impact because it gives you a chance to reacclimate to life without heroin.

Day 1 (Admission)

During the day following the last dose of heroin, people will start experiencing the heroin withdrawal symptoms listed above. With that discomfort in mind, rehab admissions are straightforward. There are no hurdles preventing you from getting the help you need.

All you need to bring with you are comfortable clothes and shoes. You can bring reading materials if you choose, but otherwise you should only pack the necessities. Your priority is your detox and healing process over anything else.

When you arrive for your detox, you’ll meet with a consultant who will help you understand life within the rehab facility. You’ll get information about insurance verification and undergo a clinical assessment.

Medical professionals and counselors look over your assessment to customize your treatment options. Our treatment approach includes medications, therapy, and the 12-Step Program.

Days 2–4

You’ll begin with medical assistance to alleviate your heroin withdrawal symptoms. These medications help your body get through the peak withdrawal period, which is usually the third day. The priority at this point is keeping you comfortable while your body and brain adjust to the lack of heroin. 

Once your body feels stronger, you’ll have a chance to talk to medical professionals and counselors as needed. You’ll also go to therapy—both individual sessions and group meetings. 

The one-on-one treatment allows you to open up to a therapist and get in-depth help. Group sessions help you see what others are going through and learn to help each other with a sense of community.

Therapy also includes exercise therapy, which is a way to get back in touch with your physical body after detoxing. Nutrition counseling works hand-in-hand with exercise so you can prioritize your physical health and start feeling strong and capable.

Art therapy and music therapy are popular options to express yourself. There’s no need to find the right words when you can draw, paint, and sculpt what you’re feeling, or play an instrument or sing to release your emotions. Experiencing these breakthroughs with other residents helps you see the power of community.

The 12-Step Program helps you take actionable steps to overcome your addiction. You know what to do and what comes next. You can always look back and see how much you’ve accomplished when you feel like you’re struggling.

Days 5–7 (Discharge)

By day five, heroin withdrawal symptoms are less severe and begin to taper off, even without medication. You’ll get the most out of your counseling sessions as you and your therapist start looking ahead to life outside the detox center.

Nutrition counseling and exercise therapy are essential here, as they help your body feel strong enough to live without the need for heroin. Getting quality sleep will also help you feel physically strong. Maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising are key to managing your stress and overall well-being.

Our professionals prepare you for a safe discharge. You’ll feel strong and empowered enough to prevent a relapse. However, you’ll always need to continue the work you started in rehab. Living without heroin in a detox environment is very different from returning to your everyday life. You might feel tempted to use heroin when you’re in familiar surroundings with your old friends.

You’ll continue the 12-Step Program even after you leave our center. The steps serve as guides to help you understand what comes next and how you need to continue working on yourself. We’ll help you find the right partners and meetings, so you have a support system in place before discharge.

Upon discharge, you will feel empowered to start your life fresh with a healthy mindset. Attending meetings and finding solid support systems will help prevent a relapse. 

The first six months are the hardest. You’re not returning to the life you once knew but instead forging a new path. 

Medications for Heroin Detox

When you’re detoxing from heroin in a professional environment, you’ll get medications that can reduce the length of withdrawal. These medications will also ease the suffering from symptoms that feel like a case of the flu.

Medical supervision gives you a safe place to experience withdrawal. The professionals know what to expect and can make the withdrawal process more manageable. While you might feel tempted to find more heroin left to your own devices, medical professionals will give you approved medications to keep you comfortable.

Many people worry that taking another substance during withdrawal could trigger their addiction. Trained medical professionals know the correct dose of the substances and ensure you only get what you need. The medications are controlled substances, so you won’t have unrestricted access to them. 

The medications serve as a bridge. They take you from your last heroin high and help you feel good during detox. By the time your brain chemistry adjusts, you don’t need the medications anymore. You’ll feel ready to tackle life on your own. 

Medications you might take during a heroin detox include:

• antidepressants
• benzodiazepines
• buprenorphine
• methadone
• opioid agonists and antagonists
• non-opioid agonists
• tapering medications.

Buprenorphine and methadone are the most effective medications for heroin withdrawal. Both inhibit negative physical symptoms as well as mental cravings. Methadone has a longer active period, staying in your bloodstream for about a day, so you can step the dosage down over time.

Several medications produce an effect similar to heroin, so your brain can reduce the severity of withdrawal. Other medications help alleviate nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and muscle spasms. Treatment for anxiety can also make the withdrawal period feel less intense.

You’re less likely to relapse when you’re feeling better physically and mentally. You’ll realize that your brain and body can function fine without heroin because the medications are helping to balance your brain activity. 

There’s no worry about becoming dependent on these medications—they serve only to get you through the withdrawals. At that point, therapy and counseling sessions help you realize what your life can be without heroin. The medication is just one portion of the detox process.

Having medical assistance during your heroin detox can help you feel more physically comfortable throughout the process. When your body and brain function better, you can prioritize the detox counseling side. These pieces work together to help you overcome your addiction and move on to a healthy life.

Detox from Heroin at Our Anaheim Heroin Detox Center

Taking steps to detox from heroin is a positive experience, but it’s not something you should do alone. Rates of relapse are high in people who attempt to detox on their own or quit cold turkey. The cravings for heroin are worst during the first ten days of withdrawal. Many people go back to the drug simply to ease their pain when left to their own devices.

When you detox from heroin at our facility, you’re working with addiction professionals. We know how much heroin has taken from your life, and we’re here to help. You’ll have the chance to experience life from a safe place with medical professionals treating your withdrawal symptoms. In time, you’ll enjoy exercise and fun events with other residents.

The process of detoxing at a dedicated facility gives you the chance to ease back into your life. You’ll have people looking out for your well-being while you experience life free from your addiction. You’ll get customized treatment based on your history, health, and overall needs.

Therapy options include art and music therapy and traditional talk therapy sessions, both one-on-one and in group settings. Since many recovering addicts also experience psychological symptoms, counseling is a priority for mental health.

We understand that recovering from heroin addiction might feel overwhelming to addicts and those who love and care for them. We are here every step to help guide you through the recovery process and to assist you with a successful detox. For more information on our detox services in Anaheim, you can call us, fill out a contact form, or start a live chat.