Heroin is part of a family of drugs called opioids, which can cause a strong chemical dependence in a short period of time. Like many other addictions, heroin addiction can be difficult or impossible to overcome alone—seeking professional help with opiate detox and substance abuse treatment in West Palm Beach is the very best way to break free from drug dependence.

Current trends indicate a dramatic increase in heroin use and heroin addiction in recent years. This video discusses a study comparing the demographics of individuals suffering from heroin addiction in the 1960s with those suffering from heroin-based addictions today. Not only will you learn more about the type of individual most likely to suffer from heroin addiction today; you’ll also learn more about the reasons behind the current increase in heroin usage.

Heroin addiction occurs because of the intense drug dependence heroin incites in the brain and body. This dependence is what makes heroin and other opiates such strong candidates for drug abuse, while also increasing the difficulty of the detoxing process without professional help. If you are suffering from a heroin or opiate drug dependence in West Palm Beach, working with a professional substance abuse counselor during the opiate detox process is an important first step on the road to recovery.

Heroin and the Brain’s Receptors

Heroin and other opiates work by binding to very specific receptor sites in the brain. These sites are designed to receive and bind endorphins, which are hormones produced within the body to reduce pain sensations and improve mood, making you feel “good.” However, opiates—including heroin—are more potent than endorphins, triggering a more extreme effect in the brain , typically called a high. This high is often what causes individuals to continue using heroin; some people are able to feel high every time they use heroin, while others lose the ability to feel good entirely, and continue to use heroin only to prevent the unpleasant side effects that occur during opiate withdrawal.

Heroin and Dependence

Heroin is known for its high incidence of drug dependence, which occurs as a result of physical and chemical changes in the brain over time. When heroin is frequently introduced into the body, the brain has difficulty regulating hormones and other neurotransmitters normally, which leads to withdrawal and side effects that include anxiety, cravings, pain, nausea, and changes in respiration and heart rate. Although these symptoms typically last only one to two weeks in the absence of heroin, they can present a significant obstacle that blocks many individuals during addiction recovery. Opiate detox is the process of removing all traces of heroin from the body, which slowly allows the brain to return to its original state; this process is often accompanied by the use of drugs such as Suboxone, which mimic the effects of heroin without causing the same severe dependence.

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.

Opiate detox near West Palm Beach can seem overwhelming for anyone. But with the right medications and a network of supportive family and friends, you can overcome opiate detox symptoms. Trying to quit heroin on your own is nearly impossible. If you or a loved one is addicted to heroin, contact a detox center so you can create a customized treatment plan that is right for your particular needs and goals. Read on to learn more about how heroin detox symptoms progress, including initial symptoms, intermediate symptoms, and final symptoms.

Initial Symptoms

Opiate detox is most uncomfortable during the first few days, when symptoms can range from moderately painful to excruciating. The first two days of heroin detox are the most difficult for most patients. Within 12 hours of taking heroin, many people feel muscle aches and pain. You may also suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Cold sweats and even seizures are also common.

Intermediate Symptoms

As with any drug addiction, detox is a process. During the intermediate stages of heroin detox, patients will still be affected by uncomfortable side effects. While suboxone will make the process as comfortable as possible, you can still expect to feel nauseous. Proper nutrition is incredibly important during this time. Many patients will lose their appetites altogether, but eating well will boost your immune system response as your body struggles to recover from withdrawal. You may continue to have trouble sleeping during this time.

Final Symptoms

Heroin detox is different for everyone. Still, the worst of your side effects will conclude after about a week. Nausea, anxiety, and depression will be mild or moderate after this time. Your body will begin to regain its strength, and your appetite will return. You may still suffer from mood swings. Many heroin addicts feel irritated at their loved ones for no apparent reason. Others will continue to feel sad or emotionally empty for some time.

There is a lot of stigma surrounding opiate addiction in West Palm Beach and the rest of the country. People of all ages, economic backgrounds, races, genders, ethnicities, and social classes can become addicted to opioids. Opiates are very commonly prescribed to people who are in severe or chronic pain, and they are incredibly addictive and difficult to stop taking .

Watch this video for some more insight into opiate addiction. The video demonstrates that opiate addiction is a chemical process that occurs in the brain, and that has nothing to do with a person’s background, character, or walk of life. Drug detox can be a great choice for people struggling with addictions.

Opiate addiction is one of the most common reasons that people enter substance abuse treatment near West Palm Beach. Opiate addiction can quickly ruin a person’s physical and mental health, social and professional relationships, and finances. Here are some facts that might help you better understand opiate addiction, opioid withdrawal, and the need for swift intervention and substance abuse treatment.

Why Opiate Abuse is So Common

The most frequently abused opiates are heroin, morphine, codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, Dilaudid, and Duragesic. Opiates are commonly prescribed to treat chronic or severe pain. In 2012, doctors wrote more than 259 million prescriptions for opiates. Four out of five heroin users admit that they moved on to heroin after abusing prescription opiates, either obtained legally or illegally. Almost all chose to use heroin because prescription opioids were more expensive and harder to obtain. Opiate use initially produces an intense feeling of wellbeing or euphoria that quickly becomes addictive to users. As opiate use continues, the user will need to take more and more in order to achieve that same initial feeling. This almost always leads to opiate abuse, and often leads to opiate overdose.

Dangers of Opiate Addiction

In high doses, opiates can cause cardiac or respiratory arrest. Attempts to illegally obtain opiates can put a user in risky or even life-threatening situations. Many users are arrested for possessing or attempting to purchase opiates. Opiate abuse puts incredible stress on a user’s family, friends, and professional relationships. Many users are unable to maintain relationships or hold down a job due to their drug use. Many also have unstable finances, as it becomes increasingly expensive to maintain their opiate addiction.

What Happens during Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal symptoms are incredibly uncomfortable, but are not life threatening. Many people experience opioid withdrawal if they are unable to obtain more opiates before the ones in their system begin disappearing. Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, agitation, muscle aches and pains, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hot and cold sweats, a runny nose, and teary eyes. These opioid withdrawal symptoms can last from one week to one month.

If you’re in need of opiate detox in West Palm Beach , your substance abuse counselor and physician might recommend Suboxone treatment. Some patients express concern that by undergoing Suboxone treatment, they are simply replacing one drug addiction with another. In reality, unlike most substances containing opiates, Suboxone contains an opioid that can cause physical dependency, but will not cause addiction.

The active ingredients in Suboxone are buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid, but it is different from other opioids in that it is a partial opioid agonist. This means that it causes less euphoria and physical dependence, has a lower potential for misuse, and has relatively mild withdrawal effects. When taken under the supervision of a doctor, buprenorphine can decrease opioid cravings, reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms, lower the risk of relapse, and help patients stay in drug treatment longer.

Naloxone is a medication that is designed to reverse the effects of opioids. This decreases the risk of misuse of buprenorphine while undergoing Suboxone treatment. If Suboxone is misused and too large of a dose is taken, naloxone will block the effect of buprenorphine.