“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Heroin can quickly take over all areas of life, with the fear of experiencing withdrawal becoming a driving force behind the vicious cycle. West Virginia is very familiar with opioids, with over 1,250 opioid overdose deaths occurring in 2021. This accounted for 83% of substance-related overdoses.
At Hope for Tomorrow, we understand the opioid crisis is far from over. Our heroin use disorder treatment begins with a compassionate and effective heroin detox.
Heroin is a potent, illicit opioid that is 50 times stronger than morphine. Because heroin is made illegally, there is no true way to measure how much a person is taking. The more heroin is taken, the more likely dependence will develop. This is where the brain relies on having heroin in the body. When a heroin use disorder develops, dependence occurs in combination with psychological symptoms such as cravings and withdrawal between uses. These symptoms often lead to behavioral changes where the person will do whatever they can to get more heroin.
At Hope for Tomorrow, we understand heroin use disorder and how it can take over every aspect of your life. We offer a full treatment program starting with a medically supervised heroin detox.
The detox process at Hope for Tomorrow starts with a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation. Here, our staff will gather your history of heroin use and establish the best detox treatment plan for you. For some individuals, this may involve medications, but not everyone needs to take medication during heroin detox. Our clinicians will prioritize your comfort throughout this period, while therapists will be available to support your emotional well-being. After detox, our team will conduct another assessment to determine the next steps in your treatment plan.
The timeline of heroin detox varies from patient to patient. Detox is not an inpatient program – it’s the first step in your journey. Moving to our residential program after detox may be a wise option for you.
One of the biggest reasons people avoid heroin detox is because of withdrawal symptoms. When someone has been taking heroin for a long period or in high doses, tolerance will increase. As tolerance increases, the person will need to take more heroin to feel the effects. This process increases dependence, where the brain becomes reliant on having heroin in the system. When heroin is not present, the brain sends signals through the body in the form of withdrawal symptoms, indicating a need for more heroin. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
The heroin withdrawal timeline can vary from person to person, depending on how much and how often they were taking at the time. On average, mild symptoms begin between 6 and 24 hours after the last dose. Between 24 and 48 hours, withdrawal will be at its peak, and symptoms will be at their highest. During this time, cravings will also be prominent, which raises the chances of a return to use. After 72 hours, withdrawal typically begins to dissipate, but it can take up to seven days for withdrawal symptoms to completely end.
While it is possible to detox at home, it is not recommended. As we mentioned above, cravings for heroin become very strong during withdrawal, especially early on. The body has already started to clear heroin from the system, and returning to use increases the risk of an overdose.
When detoxing in a facility, your symptoms will be monitored, and you’ll find comfort in medical observation and support. Nursing staff will monitor your physical symptoms, while therapists will be available for your emotional well-being. Medications may be utilized to manage symptoms depending on the severity of withdrawal. At Hope for Tomorrow, you will be in a safe and structured environment, away from the risk of returning to use.
During heroin detox, you can expect to be well taken care of. Detox is not always comfortable, but your care team will ensure that your symptoms are managed and that you are safe. If medication is needed, our staff provides safe and effective doses on a case-by-case basis.
Thinking about the discomfort and cravings may have you worried that detox won’t be successful. However, you will be surrounded by a dedicated and compassionate care team to ensure your detox process is smooth, effective, and safe. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take that first step into heroin addiction treatment today.
Whether concern for a loved one brought you to this page or you’re here because you’re living with an addiction, you are in the right place. Hope for Tomorrow is proud to offer a reliable and effective heroin detox program here in West Virginia. You don’t have to live in fear any longer. Our program offers a full heroin use disorder treatment program detox to inpatient, to outpatient, and aftercare. Call us today at 877-679-8162 to learn more or get started.
Treatment today for a brighter tomorrow.
