Heroin Detox
What to Look for in Heroin Detox Programs
Heroin detox is the process of removing all traces of heroin from the body. Heroin detox programs should be located in a medically monitored setting, such as within a drug rehab facility like Stepping Stone Center for Recovery. The importance of having heroin detox programs located directly inside the drug rehab is to provide an easy transition from detox to rehab. Please note:
- Drug rehab and heroin detox are two completely different levels of addiction treatment.
- By having the heroin detox program alongside the drug rehab, the continuity of addiction treatment remains in tact.
- Even with the heroin detox program located in an ideal position, there is no guarantee of recovery from heroin addiction.
- The relapse rate is high, as many people do not allow themselves to complete detox and progress into drug rehab.
- Recovery from heroin addiction takes time, structure and great desire.
If you would like additional information on admission to Stepping Stone's heroin detox programs, please call 1-800-237-3150.
Heroin Detox at Stepping Stone Center for Recovery
Heroin is one of the more difficult drug addictions to recover from. Heroin abuse leads to chronic opiate exposure, which affects the nervous system and causes a physical addiction. When heroin use is discontinued, it creates a challenging process best handled in a heroin detox program.
Heroin detox programs manage the withdrawal symptoms created from heroin addiction. Generally heroin withdrawal symptoms start within 10 hours of discontinuing the use of heroin. They normally peak after two-four days. Our heroin detox programs are medically supervised. All medical problems are managed in conjunction with any presenting heroin detox issues.
Various Approaches to Heroin Detox
Opiate Agnostic Drugs: Heroin detox methods have improved dramatically over the last few years. Some heroin detox programs use opiate agonist drugs such as methadone or Clonidine. These drugs block some of the withdrawal symptoms. They are administered in gradually decreasing doses. Because these medications act like heroin, there are few heroin withdrawal symptoms. Patients are administered Clonidine by a transdermal patch continuously releasing the drug over a seven day period. Patients using the patch should also take an oral dose of Clonidine for the first two days since it takes two days for the transdermal medications to reach a steady effectiveness. Blood pressure monitoring is essential for patients on Clonidine because it creates hypotension and sedation.
Ultra-Rapid Detox: Another type of heroin detox is ultra-rapid detox, which is performed under anesthesia. Ultra-rapid heroin detox is done under general anesthesia with intubations for six-eight hours. Naltrexone and Clonidine are a combination of drugs usually administered during this time. This form of heroin detox is generally very expensive and, therefore, unobtainable for many.
If you would like additional information on heroin detox or help with admission to Stepping Stone's heroin detox programs, please call 1-800-237-3150. We are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential.
