Heroin Detox
When treating heroin addiction, you will have to undergo a heroin detox which is the process of safely removing heroin substance from your body completely so you can naturally reset your body back to its healthiest state. The most effective way of safely detoxing is through rehabilitation centres with medical professionals who can help guide you through heroin detox in a safe environment.
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Getting the right heroin detox treatment is crucial when you come to the realisation that you are not in control of your heroin use. Taking care of your health is important – recognising that you need to go on a drug detox and getting the support you need from professionals is something that will drastically help in the long run.
Heroin addiction can take over your life, causing pain to not only yourself but the loved ones around you. With the right addiction treatment, it’s possible to diminish heroin out of your life for good and get on the path to a better-looking future. Heroin has a strong effect on the brain’s reward system, which is what makes heroin so addictive.
Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Causing a feeling of being high, heroin is one of the most addictive drugs out there today – just one dose can affect the rest of your life. Misusing heroin on a daily basis will have noticeable effects on both your mental and physical health whilst building up a tolerance.
When your tolerance to heroin increases, everyday life becomes difficult without it. Full-blown dependence is on the horizon if using heroin is a daily occurrence. Typically known as smack, gear and brown on the streets, heroin is one of the most powerful opioids on the drug scene.
Drug abuse can send you down a dark, spiralling hole that causes many problems. Removing the substance from your system can create a range of heroin withdrawal symptoms, if you’re noticing signs of addiction in yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to reach out to AnorMed today. By visiting a treatment centre, you’ll be able to go through rehab and get on the road to recovery.
We care about our patients and their well-being, which is why we do what we do here at AnorMed. Each patient of ours is different, we build a relationship with each person who comes to us for rehabilitation options to make sure we gather an understanding of their addiction.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Usually smoked, snorted or injected, the effects of heroin kick in almost immediately. Happy, relaxed and tired are all common effects that people feel when they take heroin, with the euphoric feeling lasting for around an hour or two. Mixing heroin with alcohol, benzodiazepine and methadone can be dangerous to your body – even more so than just taking heroin alone.
Opioid withdrawal symptoms occur during the detox phase – they can include heavy depression, anxiety, shaking, sickness, fatigue, sweating and insomnia. The effects of detoxing your body from heroin vary depending on the individual, with some people experiencing worse symptoms than others. The general rule of thumb is that the more severe the addiction, the more severe the withdrawal process will be.
With a free addiction assessment available for our potential patients, getting the right treatment will be simpler than ever. Opioid withdrawal management can be strenuous, with many challenging times during the detox timeline. Our team of experts supervise our patients to make sure they are staying on track regarding their detox.
A sober-free lifestyle can be achieved when you have the right people around you. Pushing through the detox symptoms can feel punishing, but we can guarantee that the other side is always brighter. Rehab treatment allows you to face your addiction – we put our patients on a tailored programme to ensure they get everything they need out of our services.
Heroin Detox Timeline
Withdrawal symptoms can last for a varied amount of time, all depending on your addiction. We work together with our patients to make sure they’re getting the treatment that they need. Our team of professionals know how to treat individuals based on their assessment results – this helps get them through their detox as easily as possible.
It can feel like a massive bump in the road when you begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. It’s essential that you stay strong through the challenging times during your detox, and with a team of friendly professionals, we will help you. Some key psychological or behavioural symptoms that you could endure during detox are:
- Frequent panic attacks
- Heavy depression
- Severe mood swings
- Sleeping issues
Detox is extremely beneficial in the long run, but withdrawals can persist for months depending on the severity of your addiction. Thankfully, withdrawal symptoms become easier over time until they disappear completely.
Medications for Heroin Detox
Like most rehab centres across the country, we prescribe medication for people who are struggling with heroin addiction. At AnorMed, we try to make the detox journey as simple as it can be – we may determine that a medical detox is the best way forward for you.
None of the drugs you may be prescribed during heroin detox are addictive and they’re used solely to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Examples of medications prescribed are Methadone, Naltrexone and Buprenorphine. Medication is given to patients by licensed professionals, so you can rest assured that you’re in the safest hands. Addiction is never expected to be easy to overcome, but with the right help and care, you’ll be able to get your life back on track in no time.
We urge you to reach out to a member of our team if your addiction is taking control of your life. At AnorMed, we aim to work collaboratively with our patients to ensure they leave rehabilitation centres in the best spirit with a more positive approach to life going forward.
Think of rehab centres as sanctuaries – somewhere for you to be whilst you fix your body and get back to good health. Going cold turkey on such a harsh drug as heroin is something that you shouldn’t ever go through alone, which is why rehab centres are available for those who need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like to learn more about heroin detox, feel free to contact a member of our team today. Our friendly support team is on hand to help and answer any questions that you may have. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you on the road to recovery.
What is heroin detox, and why is it important for recovery?
Heroin detox is the process of removing the drug from the body to address physical dependence and manage withdrawal symptoms. It is a crucial first step in the recovery journey, as it prepares individuals for further addiction treatment.
Can I detox from heroin at home, or should I seek professional help?
Heroin detox can be dangerous due to severe withdrawal symptoms and potential complications. Seeking professional help at a detox facility or under medical supervision is recommended for a safer and more comfortable experience.
What are common withdrawal symptoms during heroin detox?
Common heroin withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms can be severe and may require medical intervention.
How long does heroin detox typically last?
The duration of heroin detox varies depending on individual factors, such as the length and severity of heroin use. Generally, acute withdrawal symptoms peak within 1 to 3 days and gradually subside within a week. However, post-acute withdrawal symptoms may persist for several weeks.
Helpful Heroin Detox Resources
- Talk to Frank – Heroin Detox Support: https://www.talktofrank.com/drug-detox/heroin
- NHS – Find Local Drug Detox Services: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-treatment-or-support-service
- We Are With You – Heroin Detox and Recovery Support: https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/find-support/
- Release – Legal Advice for People Going Through Heroin Detox: https://www.release.org.uk/
- DrugWise – Heroin Detox Information and Resources: http://www.drugwise.org.uk/
- The Alliance – Heroin Detox Support Services: https://www.the-alliance.org.uk/
- UK SMART Recovery – Online Support for Heroin Detox and Recovery: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
- Addiction Helper – Heroin Detox Guidance and Support: https://www.addictionhelper.com/detox/
- Turning Point – Heroin Detox and Addiction Treatment Services: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/find-an-adult-service
- Addiction Advocates – Heroin Detox and Rehabilitation Resources: https://www.addictionadvocates.com/
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