Heroin Detox

Published by John Gillen | Last updated: 30th January 2023 | All Sources

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Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)

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All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Last Reviewed: 27th April 2022

Many people in Britain are suffering from an addiction to heroin – and the outlook is currently that it might become worse in the coming years. The United Kingdom is suffering from an opioid epidemic, with heroin and other opioids causing more than a thousand deaths each year.

Heroin is one of the strongest yet most used drugs worldwide – with it being very easy to get and having a strong effect, there is a reason for it being a popular drug.

However, if you are a current heroin user, you know that it is extremely hard to stop using it – not because of the drug being addicting itself, but the dreaded withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting heroin.

At Cassiobury Court – we can help you through that difficult period of withdrawing. That is why we offer professional Heroin Detox services at our drug rehab clinic in Watford. Give us a call today – and we will be able to help you get clean and live the rest of your life to the fullest.

 

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Are you suffering from a Drug or Alcohol Addiction and need help? Cassiobury Court is a leading UK based expert in Private Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today.

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Heroin Detox & withdrawal symptoms

Detox is part of heroin rehab  treatment and is often considered to be very difficult as it will be mentally and physically demanding for many addicts. This is why it is important you undergo treatment at a professional centre such as Cassiobury Court – we have the support network that can help you manage the difficult period of detox and withdrawal symptoms.

For many people, the first ten days of detox are often the hardest. At this time, you will start to experience withdrawal symptoms from heroin leaving your body.

Depending on the severity of the heroin addiction of the patient, the withdrawal symptoms can vary from mild, moderate to severe.

Symptoms consist of

  • Nausea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • muscle and bone aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fatigue

For those that have been using Heroin for a prolonged period of time, serious withdrawal symptoms like tremors, anxiety, hypertension and a rapid heart rate are a possibility.

This is why we believe that it is vital that you have an experienced medical team on-hand to take you through the heroin withdrawal process, allowing you to be less worried about the effects of withdrawal.

 

Treatment For Heroin Addiction

Heroin detox is not the only stage in the successful treatment of heroin addiction. With treatment options that include therapy and counselling, we will be able to help heal the mind so you are better prepared when dealing with the physiological side.

An addiction to heroin can be classed as phycological and physical with many individuals displaying characteristics that suits both types of classifications. This same classification also applies to addiction treatment with physical treatment being detoxification with the focus towards removing harmful substances from the body and phycological treatment being rehabilitation which is focused on healing the mind.

The successful healing of the mind involves many hours of one to one counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and regular support group sessions all aimed at healing and strengthing the mind by showing you coping mechanisms for dealing with addiction triggers that may occur after leaving the centre.

Upon leaving the centre you will also have access to 12 months aftercare where you will still have access to our support team and will attend regular monthly meetings to discuss how your recovery is going after leaving the centre.

 

Heroin Detox: How Heroin Addiction Ruins Your Body And Mind

Heroin is a drug that falls under the opioid family. A class of drugs that includes a lot of prescription drugs such as Fentanyl and Morphine. These are very strong painkillers given out to patients as painkillers.

Heroin is also known as diamorphine – which is essentially morphine but twice the concentration of the working chemical in the drug. Opioids are given out as painkillers as they are particularly effective in suppressing your body’s pain receptors.

However, opioids also have a way of connecting with your brain receptors. Heroin users often consider the experience of heroin use very pleasurable.

Counteracting the unpleasant feeling of pain and hurt will involve the opposite feeling – pleasure. This feeling of pleasure is generated by the release of endorphins and dopamine in your brain – the two substances often found in drugs that allow you to feel euphoric and relaxed.

All of these effects of heroin use do not only allow the body to get used to the pleasure override, but it also re-wires your brain completely, which will then lead to your body becoming addicted – faster then normal if you are already a person with an addictive personality.

Long term heroin abuse also has an effect on your body that could lead to very poor health and premature death. An example being self-neglect which is very common with regular heroin addicts. Dehydration and nutritional deficiencies could lead to health problems that will be irreversible in the long term.

In the short term – heroin can kill too. Many people who take heroin will see an increase in intolerance. The tolerance will also lower once you have not taken it for a short period of time.

 

Heroin Detox FAQ

From our experience, we know that the detox process is something which will worry those who are struggling with prolonged substance abuse – so we’ve answered a number of the most common questions surrounding heroin detoxification.

Once heroin withdrawal symptoms start to decline, counselling and therapy sessions will begin. These sessions will explore the reasoning behind the addictive behaviour and to help identify the triggers that cause or set off the addiction. We can also offer family-based therapy sessions where friends and family can attend the clinic to help with your recovery.

At Cassiobury Court, we offer a package that allows you to complete your heroin rehab programme within 28 days – against a very good price. The prices are not fixed at the moment, it is all dependant on your needs and wants – however our packages are designed to be affordable. However, we can tell you that the investment is well worth your money. We can help you build your life up again – and help you attain a healthy and happy future.

As with any highly addictive drug, heroin withdrawal can have some common side-effects.

We touched on this earlier, but here are some of the more common opioid withdrawal symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Joint aches
  • Insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Tremors

Typically relapse after heroin detoxification can be quite common when the addict doesn't go through a full treatment.

However, if you are serious about quitting heroin - the combination of addiction treatment, aftercare services and the understanding of your friends and family will make you more likely to pursue a happy and drug-free life.

At Cassiobury Court, the majority of our clients will enjoy a heroin free life after they pass through our doors.

Typically this is not possible. If your body is dependant on heroin, then you will almost certainly go through heroin withdrawal when you stop taking the drug.

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John Gillen

John Gillen - Author Last updated: 30th January 2023

John Gillen is a leading addiction treatment expert with over 15 years of experience providing evidence-based treatment methods for individuals throughout the UK. John also co-authors the book, The Secret Disease of Addiction, which delves into how the addictive mind works and what treatment techniques work best.

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Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)

Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Medical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 27th April 2022

Dr. Olalekan Otulana MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)

 Dr Otulana is a highly experienced GP and Addiction Physician. He has a specialist interest in Substance Misuse Management and he has a wide range of experience in the assessment, management (including detoxification) and residential rehabilitation of clients with various drug and substance addiction problems.  His main aim is to comprehensively assess patients with addiction problems and determine their treatment needs for medical detoxification treatments and psychological interventions. He is also experienced in managing patients who require dual drug and alcohol detoxification treatments.

A strong healthcare services professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.