Detoxing is the process of eliminating an addictive drug from your body; this step is often the foundation of long-term addiction recovery. Understanding how heroin addiction and opiate detox work can give you the educational framework you need to understand why this treatment process is beneficial and how it will help if you are suffering from an opiate-based drug dependence in West Palm Beach.

I Can Detox Any Time I Want

Many individuals suffering from heroin addiction tell themselves they can perform their own detoxification whenever they want. However, the truth is that it is very hard to quit heroin and other opiates “cold turkey,” simply because these drugs create such a strong drug dependence even after a short period of time. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can range from severely uncomfortable to medically dangerous; in the vast majority of cases, it is these withdrawal symptoms that prevent individuals from detoxing on their own, not a lack of willpower or desire to quit.

Suboxone Treatment is Addictive

Suboxone treatment uses a substitute drug to prevent the body from experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms during opiate detox. However, Suboxone is not addictive in the same ways as opiates, and the Suboxone treatment is overseen by a qualified physician. Suboxone is only given during the detoxification process, then the patient is slowly weaned off the drug until they are completely drug-free. Once this has been achieved, additional substance abuse treatment can begin to achieve long-term freedom from drug addiction.

Heroin Detox is Inpatient-Only

One of the major benefits of Suboxone-based opiate detox is the ability to recover in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This outpatient-based drug detox treatment is overseen by a physician, but can be kept private by allowing you to return home during detoxification, rather than remain in an inpatient treatment center. While it is typically not recommended that you drive while taking Suboxone, you can still maintain many other aspects of your normal daily schedule during treatment.

Addiction is a disease that causes significant physical, psychological, familial and societal problems. Many people struggling with heroin addiction want to quit, yet they cannot physically and mentally do so on their own. It is not uncommon for a heroin addict to avoid reaching out for help because of the mistaken belief that inpatient rehab is the only option. There is no need to spend weeks inside a facilty. In fact, many people with drug dependence can successfully go through opiate detox near Sunrise on an outpatient basis. At an outpatient facility, an addiction recovery specialist can help patients learn what to expect from the detox process and how they can conquer common obstacles to beating addiction. This can all be done from the comfort of your own home.

Defining the Onset of Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms of heroin withdrawal tend to initiate within the first eight to 12 hours after their last use of heroin. The worst of these symptoms may occur in about 48 to 72 hours. Although after this point, many physical symptoms may still linger for weeks. Some heroin addicts also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms which tend to be milder but may linger for a few months.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

The symptoms of heroin withdrawal occur in stages . The early symptoms include muscle aches, anxiety, agitation, increased tearing of the eyes, and runny nose. Insomnia, sweating, loss of appetite, irritability, and low blood pressure that may cause dizziness are other possible symptoms. As time passes, the heroin addict may notice new withdrawal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. Many individuals also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms such as problems with stress management, drug cravings, difficulty concentrating, and emotional instability. They may have trouble thinking clearly and interacting with other people. Although these symptoms tend to be mild, they become problematic because many linger on for months on end.

Learning How to Avoid the Symptoms of Withdrawal

Heroin withdrawal is unpleasant although it is not life-threatening. Unfortunately, the fear of going through withdrawal does prevent many heroin addicts from addressing the problem. There is a way to avoid or significantly reduce these unpleasant symptoms while also reducing the risk of future relapse. Heroin addicts can go to an outpatient drug treatment center in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach County or Port Saint Lucie to begin treatment with Suboxone. Suboxone is a medication that tricks the brain into believing that heroin is present and this is why it inhibits most withdrawal symptoms.