Heroin hooks people quickly. Many don’t realize that it happened until they deal with the anxiety, depression, and intense cramping that signal withdrawal. If this describes you, there’s hope in rehab. How long does heroin withdrawal last, and how can you start the process?
Understanding the Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
Before entering heroin addiction treatment, you need to stop any heroin use. The first hints of withdrawal begin at the six to eight-hour mark. It’s been this long since you last used. Your body flushed the heroin out of its system.
Similarly, its metabolites are also decreasing in your system. There’s a growing sense of agitation and depression. You feel restless. Besides that, you’re continually yawning and wiping a runny nose.
How long does heroin withdrawal last at this point? If you try to quit cold turkey at home, you might be in for a rough three days. Usually, people give up. The pain’s too great.
How Long Does Heroin Withdrawal Last at a Detox Facility?
Medical detoxification takes place at a rehab center. Therapists check you in and help you throughout the process. Possible interventions include:
- Customization of the withdrawal protocol by an on-site physician
- Medication-assisted treatment with opioid agonists-antagonists that curb cravings and relieve pain
- Detox process group participation that lets you express yourself during the withdrawal
- Massage therapy, which assists cramping muscles with relaxation and helps you develop a restful sleep pattern
- Nutritional support that helps your body heal and gain strength throughout the process
How long does heroin withdrawal last in this setting? Typically, it takes about a week to begin and finish heroin detoxification. You have an excellent chance of success and avoiding the early relapse. However, there’s still more to do.
Enter Rehab to Deal with the Psychological Aspect of Dependency
Quitting treatment at this point is tempting. You feel great. However, you still have to deal with the stressors and triggers that caused you to reach for the drug. If you don’t, you might revert to heroin use when stressors become too strong.
A good option is to work with a detox facility that offers rehab on the same campus. Taking this step enables you to transition to rehab as soon as you’re ready. Moreover, it makes you feel comfortable because you already know the therapists and doctors you work with.
Long-term recovery isn’t a sprint. You might take between 30 and 90 days to heal from chemical dependency on heroin. In this process, you learn about healthy coping skills. Similarly, you hone your social skills.
Working with loved ones assists with shaping healthy communication patterns. Little by little, you remove the many triggers that could lead to relapse. Of course, before you can get to this point, you need to quit the heroin use first.
Get Help At Serenity Light Recovery
How long does heroin withdrawal last when you undergo the substance abuse treatment Houston trusts? Serenity Light Recovery detox may only take about a week. But detox is only the beginning of recovery. We offer a number of therapy programs for those looking to heal after addiction. These programs include:
- EMDR Therapy Program
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Biofeedback Treatment Program
- Dialectical Therapy Program
Call (281) 431-6700 to find out more and schedule an intake appointment.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”
