In the U.S., heroin abuse has become an epidemic. Heroin addiction is increasing across demographics, including among higher-income people and women. This is one of many reasons why heroin detox centers have been and continue to be essential.

The dangerous opiate heroin is extremely addictive and, as such, can be difficult to stop using. This is largely because of the painful withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings accompanying any attempt to slow or stop use. It should also be noted that heroin is exceedingly dangerous, particularly when it comes to the chance of overdose.

Getting professional help is essential if you or someone close to you is interested in getting on the path to recovery. If you’re looking for heroin detox at a luxury addiction treatment center, contact United Recovery Project online or call us at888-960-5121 to learn more about our heroin abuse treatment program

client listening in heroin detox programWhy Is Heroin So Addictive?

Heroin is commonly considered the most dangerous of street drugs. This is because of its highly addictive nature – heroin is so addictive that any person taking the drug has a high risk of developing physical dependence. Even those who have begun taking heroin recreationally can quickly develop a difficult habit, if not impossible, to control.

So what is it that makes heroin so addictive? When an individual takes heroin, it affects the parts of the brain responsible for the perception of pain and rewards – this is where the receptors for heroin are found. This can begin a deadly cycle, however. Because heroin is so powerful, its presence in the body can harm individual brain cells. When these cells burn out, as they inevitably do, the body craves more heroin more often to avoid the painful withdrawal symptoms.

Signs That You Need a Heroin Detox Center

As indicated above, individuals who use heroin regularly can develop a tolerance as their brain cells die. Before they resort to using more heroin or using the drug more frequently, they are likely to start to show signs of heroin addiction that are much easier to identify. Among these are the following:

  • Drug paraphernalia includes belts, lighters, rubber tubing, small glass or metal pipes, spoons, or syringes present in someone’s personal space.
  • Needle tracks – Pure heroin can be smoked or snorted, but many addicted individuals prefer to inject the drug as the effects are achieved more quickly that way.
  • Physical symptoms – The many physical symptoms of heroin addiction include but are not limited to constipation, itching, nausea, and vomiting. Lower immunity to illness may also be a concern among individuals with heroin use disorders.
  • Slowness, impaired functioning – People struggling with heroin addiction can appear sleepy and have dilated pupils when using the drug. In addition to demonstrating impaired mental function, they may also have a lower cardiac function, which can be extremely dangerous.

What to Expect in a Heroin Detox Center

As any medical professional will confirm, going to a drug detox center is far safer and more effective than trying to detox at home. Someone attempting to stop their use needs medical supervision and medication-assisted treatment to avoid the worst withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings. Indeed, the risk of relapse or unsuccessful detox attempts is exponentially higher without the clinical support and accountability provided at a substance abuse treatment center

The withdrawal symptoms that often accompany heroin detox include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
  • Depression
  • Nervousness, agitation, anxiety
  • Intense cravings for the drug
  • Muscle spasms, shaking
  • Excessive sweating

The symptoms usually begin around 12 hours after the last dose, so the patient needs to get to a heroin abuse treatment program within that time frame. Most medical professionals recommend that MAT be a part of heroin detox to address the above symptoms. The clinical support patients receive at a heroin detox center like United Recovery Project can help them avoid relapse and ultimately put them on the path to genuine, long-term sobriety.

Learn More About United Recovery Project’s Inpatient Heroin Detox Center in Florida

After completing a program at a heroin detox center, patients are often encouraged to begin the next steps of drug addiction rehab. These usually include residential treatment, which is followed by outpatient care. If you or someone you care about is battling heroin addiction, the time to begin this journey is now. 

If you’re looking for a heroin detox center that offers individualized heroin abuse treatment programs, contact United Recovery Project online or call us at 888-960-5121 today.

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