What Happens After Heroin Detox?

Heroin is an extremely addictive drug. Although not all people who try heroin become addicted, the addiction rate is extremely high and on the rise. For someone wanting to stop using heroin, the fear of what withdrawal will feel like and what happens after can be scary and intimidating. To understand, you need to know what heroin detox is, what secondary withdrawal means and what happens after both.

What is Heroin Detox?

Heroin detox is the process your body goes through when you stop taking heroin and allow the drugs to clear out of your system. When you use heroin, it binds to the opioid receptors in your brain. This causes the brain and body to flood with dopamine.

Dopamine is a chemical that causes you to feel relaxed and euphoric. Unfortunately, when the heroin leaves the body, so do those feelings. The receptors essentially ask for more of the heroin. If it cannot be found, the body goes into withdrawal. This primary withdrawal is known as detoxing from heroin. The symptoms of withdrawal are:

nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
strong cravings
anxiety
irritability
muscle aches and cramping

This is a dangerous time because not only are the detox symptoms severe, but the cravings are as well. Most people who relapse do so to stop the discomfort of the process.

Get help for heroin withdrawal before you relapse. Call to get help today!

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Secondary Withdrawal

While primary heroin withdrawal symptoms are mostly physical, secondary withdrawal symptoms are more emotional and psychological. The symptoms include:

depression
anxiety
hopelessness
mood swings
low energy
trouble sleeping
difficulty concentrating
cravings that come and go

These symptoms may last for months as the brain is working to rebalance its chemistry, especially dopamine levels. While the symptoms of heroin withdrawal are generally not life-threatening, worsening psychological symptoms are very dangerous.

Depression, hopelessness and anxiety can potentially lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings. These feelings can make it feel like detox “didn’t work,” but with ongoing treatment, counseling and sometimes medication, it can be managed and is only temporary.

Addiction Treatment after Heroin Detox

Medication management can help you stay off heroin for good!

While in detox, you have access to counselors and therapists who can offer support and help you to work through and manage your feelings. In some cases, medication may be used to help make the process more tolerable.

These FDA-approved medications, buprenorphine (Subutex) and a combination of buprenorphine with naloxone (Suboxone) and methadone, work to normalize brain chemistry, relieve cravings, restore bodily functions and block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids.

Many people continue to use these medications for months, even years, after detox to support their long-term recovery and help to prevent relapse.

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may also be beneficial for individuals in heroin detox. This medication helps to stabilize their moods so they can continue with their treatment.

Detox is only the first step in recovery. Therapy and counseling are also critical components of a comprehensive treatment plan. They are essential during detox and often continue through aftercare. Through this support, an individual can learn to recognize and address their triggers, cravings and behavioral patterns that drive addiction.

Individual counseling – therapists conduct this type of counseling with the individual alone. They might engage in cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR or guided meditation.
Group counseling – therapists conduct this type of counseling with peers. It helps addicts to identify, commiserate and understand that they are not alone.
Family counseling – family is an important factor in addiction recovery. Many family relationships are damaged or destroyed by an addiction. These relationships are recoverable when you work with a therapist to develop better communication skills and understanding.

Finding Life Again

Two of the major problems with heroin addiction recovery are boredom and loss of pleasure. When on heroin, life becomes about obtaining and using the drug. When you stop using it, it leaves you with a lot of time. After detox, it is important to find a way to regain what the addiction stole from you. There are several things you can do to avoid this and start to control your life. Some examples of these activities include:

Join a 12-step program – Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery offer a place of understanding and support
Get a hobby – Keeping your hands and mind busy is a great way to keep from getting bored and relapsing
Volunteer – Many people volunteer in a drug treatment center or a hospital in order to give back.
Work – Some people find comfort in keeping busy with work and redefining themselves that way.
Exercise– physical activity is a great way to heal both your body and mind

Finding something to do to combat boredom and keep you occupied is not difficult; it is just a matter of looking at your interests and deciding what you want to do.

Sober Living

Living sober allows your brain and body to heal, restoring your physical health, mental clarity and emotional stability. Over time, sobriety opens the door to stronger relationships and the ability to build a stable, fulfilling future free from the chaos of addiction.

Find heroin detox and addiction treatment centers by searching our directory, or by calling our helpline at 800-996-6135 .