Heroin withdrawal can be painful and difficult to overcome alone or without medical assistance. Heroin detox centers in West Palm Beach offer medical detox services to keep patients safe, sober, and comfortable as they begin their recovery journey.
Asking for help and going to detox can be scary, especially if you’ve never been to rehab before and aren’t sure of what to expect. While everyone has a slightly different experience with detox and treatment, here is what you can expect during heroin detox.
The Importance of Medical Detox for Heroin Withdrawal
Heroin withdrawal is not comfortable or pleasant. Symptoms typically mimic those of the flu but can be mentally and physically exhausting. Heroin withdrawal is typically not as severe or life-threatening as benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal. Very few people experience complications that require intensive care. However, there are many risks to detoxing from heroin alone, including:
- Dehydration
- Relapse/overdose
Detoxing at a professional treatment center in West Palm Beach can help you avoid complications and relapse as well as connect you to treatment resources so you can begin your recovery journey.
Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal
How long you have been addicted, how much heroin you use, and other individual factors can impact the severity and duration of your withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:[1]
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Yawning
- Back pain
- Muscle aches
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- General discomfort
- Chills
- Sweating
- Goosebumps
- Insomnia
- Sleep disturbances
- Vivid dreams
Medical detox programs can help you manage these symptoms.
Three Phases of Heroin Detox
Drug and alcohol detox usually consists of three phases: intake/evaluation, medical stabilization, and discharge planning. Here is what you can expect during each.
Intake and Evaluation
When you first arrive at a heroin detox center in West Palm Beach, a staff member will greet you, help you with your items, and bring you to the clinical facility for your initial assessment and evaluation. During your assessment, you will undergo a comprehensive physical and psychological exam to help determine your treatment needs. This assessment may consist of:
- A standard medical physical
- A mental health evaluation
- STD/HIV testing
- Drug testing
- A review of your medical history
You may be asked questions about your heroin use, history with treatment, prescription medications, and treatment goals. This information is used by the clinical team to curate a custom-made treatment plan tailored to meet your individual needs.
Lastly, you may be asked to sign paperwork to agree to medical care and the rules of the treatment facility.
Medical Stabilization
After your evaluation, if you are doing inpatient detox, you are taken to your room to begin detox. When it comes to heroin withdrawal, detox may last anywhere from 4-7 days. You may spend this time relaxing, doing group activities (if you feel up to it), participating in therapy, and resting.
Throughout your stay in a detox center in West Palm Beach, medical staff will rotate shifts to provide 24/7 on-site care. The team will monitor your symptoms, conduct regular check-ins, and prescribe medications to help you deal with withdrawal. Medications that may be prescribed during heroin detox include:[2]
- Methadone
- Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)
- Subutex (buprenorphine)
- Clonidine
- Vitamins & Supplements
Even though heroin withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, a small percentage of people will experience complications like dehydration, suicidal thoughts, or seizures. The medical staff will ensure your comfort and safety during detox and be ready to intervene in the rare case of an emergency.
Discharge Planning
Heroin detox only lasts about a week, and after a week, you may still experience cravings, anxiety, depression, and some lingering symptoms. You may also still need more therapy and treatment to sustain long-term recovery. That’s why the last step of heroin detox in West Palm Beach involves discharge or treatment planning.
Discharge planning involves meeting with a substance abuse counselor to develop a treatment plan. Your treatment plan may consist of any or all of the following:
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient rehab (OP)
- Alumni group
- Sober living home
- 12-Step program
- Individual counseling
These services exist to uncover and address the underlying conditions of your drug use. They help address the mental, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction. Detox only addresses your physical symptoms, so it is rarely enough for you to develop a solid foundation in recovery.
Find a Heroin Detox in West Palm Beach
Asking for help isn’t easy, but our admissions team is here to make the process as stress-free as possible. We’ll talk to you about your needs, verify your insurance, and make transportation arrangements for you to come to our state-of-the-art heroin detox program in West Palm Beach, FL. Don’t wait any longer. Call us today to get started.
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