Withdrawal Symptoms of Heroin and Treatment
Heroin is a powder form of Morphine alkaloid found in opium poppy plants and is highly addictive. It is said to be 2 to 3 times more potent than Morphine. It is usually injected, smoked or snorted up the nose. It comes with euphoric (“rush”), anti-anxiety and pain-relieving properties.
During addiction, an addict uses Heroin to get high rather than to get relieved from pain. This abuse results in physical dependence in the addict. Withdrawal symptoms may occur in the addicts upon reduction of dosage or total abstinence from the drug. While major withdrawal symptoms peak between 48 and 72 hours after the last use, they usually subside after about a week.
The immediate effects of withdrawal include drug craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhoea and vomiting, cold flashes with goosebumps (“cold turkey”), kicking movements and other symptoms. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are hard to manage at home. Hence a proper treatment at a rehab offers better chances of recovery. Therapy is also an important aspect for tackling the underlying behaviours that led to a person’s heroin use.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms include
Heroin leaves the user’s body faster than the pain killers do. Hence withdrawal symptoms manifest quickly. Withdrawal from Heroin usually feels like a horrible case of flu. These symptoms peak during the second and third day and last for about a week.
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Agitation
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
- Abdominal cramping
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Muscle Aches
The Timeline of Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms are listed below:
Days 1 and 2
Symptoms may begin within 6 hours after the last dose. muscle aches will start to develop during the first day and eventually will intensify over the first 48 hours. Other symptoms that appear during this period include panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, shaking and diarrhoea.
Days 3 to 5
Withdrawal symptoms will be at peak during third and fourth days of abstinence. Symptoms during this period include sweating, abdominal cramping, shivers and nausea/vomiting.
Days 6 and 7
Muscle aches and nausea will subside by this time and the users start feeling normal though exhausted from pain and fatigue. This typically marks the end of what is known as acute withdrawal
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Neurological changes from Heroin use result in inconsistent withdrawal symptoms for months after abstinence. These lasting symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia and irritability.
Heroin Addiction Treatment
Choosing to tackle your Heroin addiction is an excellent first step forward. Beating Heroin addiction is more than possible at drug rehab centres that offer customised inpatient and outpatient recovery programs for the addicts. A treatment at any good rehab starts with a detox program followed by personal evaluation for the purpose of customising further treatment programs for the individuals. Rehabs are a promise for recovery and a new ray of hope for persons who are stuck in the cycle of addiction.
Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.
