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Why detox from heroin?

Heroin is one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs on the market. Once consumed a handful of times, a tolerance and dependence to heroin can develop. Known for its feelings of pleasure, heroin users favour the escapism and euphoria of the drug. However, through those experiences, deep brain damage can occur, even over a short period of time.

As a result of the life-threatening physical and mental health problems linked to heroin abuse, withdrawing from the drug is highly recommended. Without completing a detox programme, medically supervised and structured for your personal needs, ongoing heroin abuse will continue. The negative side effects of addiction will be experienced, while also carrying a high potential of developing a dual diagnosis.

If you’re truly passionate about recovering, your journey must start with a heroin detox. This is a mandatory step to complete, helping to prepare the body for further addiction treatment. Attempting to go cold turkey will carry risks and ineffective results. Working through a carefully mapped our detox programme is advisable when withdrawing from heroin.

Withdrawal symptoms from heroin

Withdrawal symptoms from heroin can vary for all individuals. Some will experience physical side effects, such as vomiting, nausea, high blood pressure and stomach cramps. Others will struggle mentally, by suffering with paranoia, depression, insomnia, irritability and anxiety.

Likewise, the degree and timeframes of withdrawal symptoms can vary. Factors which can control this include the severity of a heroin addiction, health problems, and the detox programmes selected.

Please keep in mind that it is important that you select the right detox programme to suit your needs. There are a number of different detox routes to consider, all carrying different recovery rates. With this in mind, it is important to select the right level of care to ensure that withdrawal symptoms can be surpassed manageably.

Additional addiction treatments

As touched on above, to overcome an addiction, a comprehensive personal treatment plan will be required. This is down to the psychological impacts experienced when consuming heroin, along with the likelihood of developing mental health issues. Common treatment options, working in tandem with a heroin detox include support groups, individual therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and relapse prevention sessions. This combination will help clients heal mentally, while preparing for life post rehab.

Without completing a complete treatment plan, a standalone detox programme may not offer long-term recovery. Although withdrawal from heroin is very likely, underlying psychological triggers can reignite heroin abuse. With this in mind, we highly recommend the completion of alternative treatment options.

To begin your heroin detox programme and complete rehab plan here at Nova Recovery, get in touch today. Although withdrawing from heroin may initially be difficult, we can vouch for the benefits of addiction recovery. Experience those benefits by committing to a residential detox programme and psychological support.

Inpatient vs home detox programme

A common battle when considering detox programmes is the environment which treatments for heroin abuse should take place. Many individuals will favour a home detox programme. Although successful for some individuals, visiting a heroin rehab hospital will always be encouraged by our team, especially for those with a dependence on heroin.

Home detox programmes do offer convenience and comfort. However, as withdrawal symptoms can become unbearable, your health and recovery probabilities will be at risk. By completing an inpatient heroin detox, you’ll have the care and guidance of medical professionals, while also completing additional treatment options.

As a heroin addiction will commonly influence psychological side effects, additional treatment options are required to promote recovery. With this in mind, you will boost your recovery timeframe and rates by completing an initial detox programme at our rehab hospital, followed by psychological and social intervention.

John Gillen - Director & Author at Nova Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: July 29, 2022

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.