Heroin addiction in the U.S. continues to affect millions of men and women every day. People who struggle with addiction and have tried to quit know how difficult and painful the withdrawal process can be. Knowing the signs of heroin withdrawal can help you prepare for heroin detox and learn how it can benefit your recovery. Drug detox in Massachusetts is the best way to get through the withdrawal process safely, with fewer chances of relapse and risk of overdose.
At Swift River, we provide men and women struggling with addiction a safe withdrawal process when they are ready to accept help with their substance use disorder. We take the time to get to know each patient to create a tailored treatment plan that focuses on their unique issues and recovery goals. We have inpatient and outpatient programs to support every stage of the recovery process. Call 413.570.9698 or fill out our online form today for more information about our drug detox in Massachusetts.
Understanding Heroin Abuse
Heroin is a fast-acting opioid made from the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum. It is a white powdery substance that is injected, snorted, or smoked and creates an intense euphoria by flooding your body with dopamine and can last for several hours. While most people do not form an addiction overnight, with repeated use within a short period of time, heroin addiction is a major concern. It can lead to physical and mental deterioration.
Your body can never produce the same euphoric effect that heroin and other drugs and alcohol can create. If a person uses heroin several times a week, they begin building a dependence on the drug and will experience painful physical and mental withdrawals that can last for weeks to months. The longer the person abuses heroin, the more severe their withdrawal symptoms will be and can potentially lead to death.
At Swift River, our heroin addiction treatment program helps men and women struggling with heroin abuse at our safe and discreet treatment facility. We support people from all walks of life and severity of addiction through our detox, residential, outpatient, and aftercare programs.
Recognizing the Signs of Heroin Withdrawal
If you think a friend or loved one is abusing heroin and want to help them, you need to know how to recognize the signs of heroin withdrawal. When you ask them about their abuse, be careful how you approach them. If you confront them accusingly, you can cause a negative reaction that can lead them to abuse more and potentially cause an overdose. Heroin detox can make the withdrawal process a lot easier and safer than trying to detox without the medical support of a drug detox center.
Some of the common signs of heroin abuse that you can look for include:
- Stomach cramping and pain
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Intense cravings
- Depression
- Skin infections
- Collapsed veins
Withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as 4-6 hours from the last use and generally peak between 24-72 hours. This is when most people will relapse and can become discouraged from trying again. Depending on the length of abuse, withdrawal symptoms can last several weeks to months, with some patients experiencing permanent damage.
Swift River – Massachusetts: Providing Safe and Effective Heroin Detox
At Swift River, we support men and women struggling with addiction to heroin, prescription drugs, or other substances. Our therapists and medical staff are experienced in recognizing the signs of heroin withdrawal and will create a custom heroin detox program that will ease their recovery process. We offer a full range of treatment programs to support a wide range of Massachusetts residents:
- Drug and alcohol detox
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Veterans support program
- 12-step program
- LGBTQIA+ support program
Call 413.570.9698 today if you or a loved one is struggling with heroin addiction and are ready to accept help and lead a healthy and sober life.
