Opioids continuously gain news coverage due to the rapid increase of heroin abuse across the country. Once you stop using opioids like prescription painkillers and heroin, you suffer intense heroin withdrawal effects. Heroin withdrawal has long been a subject of films and television programs, just as the epidemic is part of our evening news. While today’s heroin withdrawal symptoms aren’t as severe as it once was, people who struggle with heroin addiction deserve expert care to ensure a successful recovery.
At Memphis Recovery Centers, our heroin addiction treatment program provides support for people who are ready for a life without addiction. If you or a loved one is battling heroin addiction, reach out to our team today by calling 901-272-7751 or completing our online form to learn more about our heroin addiction treatment center.
Why Heroin Withdrawal Occurs
Heroin withdrawal is the process of changes in your brain chemistry and your body’s response to pain. In your brain, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system, heroin reaches your opioid receptors. These receptors receive signals that create emotional and physical reactions. Heroin replaces your natural chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, throwing your natural processes out of balance.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms and Effects
Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. There are many factors associated with which symptoms you experience. These factors include your addiction duration, how much heroin you use, how you use heroin, underlying health, genetics, and environment. Although these effects vary from person to person, there is a general timeline for heroin detox symptoms.
Signs of heroin withdrawal and symptoms include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps
- Watery eyes, chills, runny nose, sweating, yawning, and goosebumps
- Muscle aches, bone aches, tremors, fatigue, and muscle spasms
- Agitation, restlessness, anxiety, and concentration problems
- Sleeplessness, depression, and lack of pleasure
- Hypertension, rapid heartbeat, and impaired respiration
- Drug cravings
Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
So, how long is heroin withdrawal? There’s a timeline that most people experience during withdrawal. In general, heroin withdrawal symptoms last about a week. However, this timeline differs depending on the person.
In most cases, people notice the effects of withdrawal six to twelve hours after taking their last dose. The most intense symptoms typically start within one to three days. After that peak, people often experience moderate to mild withdrawal symptoms. Some of them suffer from the effects slightly longer than a week.
Because of the severity of drug cravings during withdrawal, people usually need professional help. However, they can’t end drug treatment after detox. It’s essential that they follow up with rehab services. Only rehab can teach them how to properly overcome drug addiction.
Is Heroin More Dangerous Than Prescription Pills?
Heroin is more dangerous than prescription pills on many levels. First, the way that people take heroin is more dangerous. Most people inject it, whereas they would just swallow pills. Because of that, they run the risk of using dirty needles, which often cause infectious diseases.
Second, heroin is more addictive than most prescription pills. Because of its addictive nature, people’s bodies build a high tolerance to the drug. To get the same effects, they have to keep taking more and more heroin. They can eventually overdose, which may result in death.
Lastly, people aren’t really sure what’s in the heroin that they buy. Many street dealers cut the drug with other substances to make more money. The buyers often have bad reactions to these other ingredients, which leads to heroin deaths.
Turn to Memphis Recovery for All of Your Heroin Addiction Treatment Needs
At Memphis Recovery Centers, we make it our mission to help people overcome drug addiction. If you suffer from heroin addiction, put your trust in a rehab center that puts your needs first. Our friendly staff can create a custom treatment plan to fit your needs.
Don’t attempt to take on addiction without help. Learn what it takes to overcome heroin at our heroin addiction treatment center. Reach out to us today by completing our online form or calling 901-272-7751 for more information.
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