What Happens During Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin

Heroin is an illicit drug, illegal to possess or to use. Therefore, if you use heroin frequently, you are already willing to push boundaries to obtain it. If you’ve tried to stop using heroin and failed, you have a substance use disorder. This means you’ve joined millions of other Americans across the country who struggle with addiction.

However, there’s good news. Heroin addiction is highly treatable. And with the right therapy and follow-up support, the outlook is optimistic. The first step is realizing you have a problem that needs treatment. Next, it’s vital to find the right rehab centers in Clarksville as soon as possible.

What Happens During Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin withdrawal is different for everyone. Generally, heroin detox side effects are more severe for those who have used the drug longer or who use it more frequently. Symptoms of withdrawal with opioid drugs such as heroin offer multiple challenges, including:

• Inability to sleep
• Restless legs
• Pain in muscles and bone
• Cold flashes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Heroin withdrawal is unpleasant at best. Subsequently, this is why it’s important to have medical supervision throughout the process. As part of a heroin detox program, you’ll have the physical and emotional support you need to withdraw from heroin safely.

Later, once your body has eliminated all of the drug, your addiction treatment team may offer the use of replacement drugs such as Suboxone or methadone to help mask cravings. These are all advantages you won’t have if you choose to attempt heroin detox alone at home. In addition, you may be putting yourself at serious peril by not enlisting professional medical assistance during this challenging time in your life.

Can Heroin Detox Side Effects Be Fatal?

It is possible to die from heroin withdrawal. Opioid drugs like these work on the opioid receptors in your brain to slow your heart rate, calm your breathing, and make you feel mellow. When you stop taking heroin suddenly, your brain panics and may throw your body into strange reactions.

For instance, body temperature may spike to dangerous levels, causing a raging fever. Also, your heart rate may increase to dangerous levels, causing a heart attack. The cessation of heroin to the opioid receptors in your brain confuses your body, causing it to attack itself as a result.

However, under constant medical supervision, heroin detox side effects like these are easy to manage. This is why a heroin detox program is a better option for those who want a heroin-free future.

It’s also important to note that while the withdrawal symptoms of heroin detox can be fatal if left untreated, opioid drugs like heroin have the highest rate of accidental overdose death in the country. You may worry that detoxing from heroin is dangerous, but you’re at far greater risk by continuing to use this powerful drug that can cause your heart to stop beating suddenly.