Heroin and other types of opioids remain a serious issue in the U.S., with addiction rates still extremely high and rising. One of the reasons for this is that the effects of heroin withdrawal can be life-threatening, interfering with an individual’s ability to both seek out and continue treatment. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities to help individuals manage their heroin withdrawal symptoms so that they can effectively participate in treatment and heal from this form of drug abuse.
Better Understanding Heroin Addiction
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, an estimated 0.4% (or about 1.0 million people) had a heroin use disorder in the past 12 months.” It is also important to mention that most of these individuals struggling with heroin use disorder are also struggling with relentless isolation alongside physical and emotional pain.
Heroin addiction doesn’t just affect the individual either. Heroin addiction and heroin withdrawal symptoms tear entire families apart. This is why addiction is often referred to as a “family disease.” Heroin addiction is like a tornado that rips through the fabric of a family. This tear can take years and lots of therapy to repair. Still, it is essential to understand that repair is possible as long as the whole family is ready to work at it.
Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Addiction
Heroin addiction can be relatively easy to spot. However, there are also underlying symptoms that are harder to detect. The following are some warning signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of heroin abuse or heroin addiction:
- “Nodding out,” aka when an individual struggles to maintain consciousness while using but may still be standing
- Struggles financially due to the cost of heroin
- Isolating away from family and friends
- Having a new friend group that engages in risky behaviors
- Negative physical symptoms like excessive headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Having feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Feeling overly depressed
- Committing self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these are serious signs and symptoms that require attention as soon as possible. This is why if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is critical that help be sought sooner than later. Doing so could mean the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
As previously mentioned, many people stop using heroin to soon find out that the withdrawal symptoms are too intense to manage on one’s own. This causes someone to go back to heroin and then scares them from trying to recover in the future.
Many heroin withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant and can even cause someone to take drastic and even suicidal measures. The following are just a few examples of harmful heroin withdrawal symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Feeling anxious and nervous
- Having feelings of excessive depression, even suicidal ideations
- Intense headaches
- Mood swings
- Not wanting to be around others
- Feeling extremely anxious
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (insomnia)
- Not able to hydrate or eat properly
- Suicide attempts
There is also a specific timeline in which these symptoms take place. Knowing this timeline can be crucial for helping someone avoid a relapse.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline
Relapse is more common than many people may want to admit or accept. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “The relapse rate within 1st to 3rd months is 31.76%, while it is 93.31% within the first 6 months, and 96.68% within 1st year. [Those with addiction] often fall into the vicious cycle of ‘drug-taking–detoxification–relapse–effort–quit’, constituting a worldwide problem in current anti-drug work.” Relapse also interrupts the timeline of heroin withdrawal.
The initial symptoms of heroin withdrawal often present as physical symptoms, including stomach issues and extreme headaches. The next most common withdrawal symptoms present as mental symptoms, including trouble concentrating and communicating with others. Finally, emotional withdrawal symptoms may surface as well. These can be extremely dangerous because that is most commonly when individuals contemplate hurting themselves.
For this reason, seeking professional detox help for heroin withdrawal is so crucial. A professional detox setting can ensure the appropriate nutrients are replenished, and proper hydration occurs. Additionally, it also best ensures that a relapse doesn’t occur. Professional detox settings also connect individuals to the proper next steps of recovery. This may include medical-assisted treatment (MAT), residential recovery care, and/or an effective intensive outpatient program (IOP).
The Phoenix Difference at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at the Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term side effects. This is why we believe in the Phoenix Difference, which states, “Empowering individuals and families suffering from addiction and mental health disorders to celebrate life through lasting solutions.”
Recovery from heroin can be a journey. Yet, it is the journey of a lifetime; one not to be missed.
Opioid use disorder and heroin use remain serious problems in the U.S. This is why it is so important to recognize the signs and symptoms of heroin withdrawal and how to best recover from heroin addiction. Being able to do so could greatly reduce the chances of a potential relapse. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information regarding heroin addiction, heroin withdrawal symptoms, and how best to recover, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
