Heroin Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms, And Detox Treatment

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Heroin Withdrawal Timeline, Symptoms, and Detox Treatment

Heroin is a potent opioid drug that is extremely addictive. There are no medicinal uses for heroin, making it a Schedule I substance. When people misuse heroin, they are at risk of experiencing life-threatening overdoses and long-term health concerns.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 1.1 million people reported using heroin in 2021.

If you or a loved one struggles with heroin addiction, you might be wondering what the withdrawal timeline is like. Heroin withdrawal symptoms include flu-like symptoms, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and more. Typically, it begins 24 hours after your last dose and subsides after a week.

While heroin withdrawal can be difficult to cope with, medical detox centers can help. These programs offer medications to control your symptoms and keep you stable. Once you complete detox, you can enter treatment for heroin addiction.

What are the Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal?

Heroin addiction causes you to develop a physical dependence. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of the drug will cause withdrawal symptoms. You might experience physical symptoms like vomiting and psychological effects like anxiety or depression.

The physical and psychological symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Flu-like symptoms such as teary eyes, runny nose, and muscle aches
  • Insomnia
  • Excessive sweating
  • Frequent yawning
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Goosebumps and shivering
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cravings for heroin

Heroin addiction affects your brain chemistry in a manner that causes you to crave the drug. Unfortunately, this makes staying sober difficult without support. That said, detox centers will provide medications that prevent you from experiencing these cravings.

What Factors Affect the Severity and Timeline of Heroin Withdrawal?

While heroin withdrawal usually follows a general timeline, it can vary from person to person. Additionally, the severity of your symptoms depends on a variety of personal factors. For example, if you used large doses of heroin every day you might experience more severe symptoms.

The factors that affect the severity and length of heroin withdrawal include:

  • Extent of use and dosage
  • Method of administration (i.e., smoking, snorting, injecting)
  • Length and frequency of use
  • Polysubstance use
  • Body chemistry and genetics
  • Overall health
  • Speed of metabolism

Withdrawal can vary from one person to the next, so you should never rely on a withdrawal timeline. Instead, seek help from a medical detox program that can assess your symptoms and make an informed treatment decision.

How Long Does Heroin Withdrawal Last?

Heroin withdrawal usually begins 24 hours after your last dose. Typically, your symptoms will subside after a week of withdrawal. However, the severity of your heroin addiction can contribute to how long you experience symptoms.

The general timeline for heroin withdrawal is as follows:

24 Hours

The symptoms of heroin withdrawal will begin once you have been sober for 24 hours. Usually, the initial symptoms of withdrawal are mild. You might experience irritability, anxiety, cravings for heroin, and body discomfort.

24 to 36 Hours

Between 24 and 36 hours, heroin withdrawal symptoms peak. In other words, they will be at their most severe. You must be under the care of a detox program, as peak symptoms can lead to relapse without support.

During peak heroin withdrawal, you might experience flu-like symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, and insomnia.

4 to 7 Days

Sometime between 4 and 7 days your withdrawal symptoms will begin to subside. It is common for symptoms to slowly lessen over time instead of stopping altogether.

While most people complete heroin withdrawal after a week, some symptoms can linger. If you continue to experience psychological symptoms of withdrawal, you might have post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Luckily, heroin detox centers are experienced in managing the symptoms of PAWS.

How is Heroin Withdrawal Treated?

Heroin withdrawal should always be treated by a professional detox program. The goal of detox is to rid your body of heroin while keeping you safe and comfortable. Typically, this is done using a combination of medical monitoring, medications, and support groups.

Medications are used to control the symptoms of heroin withdrawal and prevent cravings. Commonly used medications include:

These medications are prescribed based on how severe your symptoms are. Over time, the dose will be tapered until you no longer need the medication.

In addition to medications, nurses will routinely check your vital signs. If your blood pressure, body temperature, or heart rate are out of whack, you will receive prompt treatment.

You will also have constant access to a mental health professional. Heroin withdrawal can cause anxiety, and insomnia, and just be difficult to cope with in general. Detox programs typically provide individual therapy and group counseling.

Once you have detoxed from heroin, you can transition into inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment. These programs will help you address the root causes of your addiction. You will also learn vital coping mechanisms to prevent relapses in the future.

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Heroin Detox Center

If you or a loved one suffers from heroin addiction, it’s time to seek help. Heroin withdrawal can be difficult to overcome, but Flourishing Foundations Recovery is here to support you.

We are an outpatient detox center in San Antonio. What makes us unique is that we are able to provide a medical detox from drugs and alcohol in a safe, comfortable, and effective manner on an outpatient basis. With an intimate setting and a dedication to patient care, you can rest assured that you or your loved one is receiving the highest quality of care possible.

Contact us today for more information on our trusted opiate detox center.