The use of heroin can quickly lead to addiction, sometimes after the first use. One of the most painful and difficult side effects of this addiction is the heroin withdrawal that always accompanies abuse. The highly potent and addictive opiate has no accepted medical use. However, it provides for a thriving and profitable black market business around the world. Heroin addiction is serious and can be deadly; the risk of heroin overdose (OD) is very high. The impact of heroin addiction on individuals, families, relationships, the criminal justice system and society is devastating. Fortunately there is effective treatment with a quality heroin detox program. Heroin is a Schedule I Controlled Substance in the U.S. This government classification says heroin has no legal medical use and has the highest potential among opiates for abuse and addiction. Drug manufacturers synthesize heroin from morphine and users can smoke, inject or snort it.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms and Warnings
Heroin withdrawals can be very difficult, even impossible to manage without professional medical assistance. A physical addiction to heroin is when withdrawal symptoms begin once the user abruptly stops using the drug. Notably, withdrawals from heroin can set in within six to 24 hours after you discontinue use.
Commonly reported withdrawal symptoms of heroin include:
- Compulsive itching
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Extreme agitation
- Depression
- Cramps
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Muscle spasms
- Cold sweats
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Muscle and bone pain
- Yawning and sneezing
Generally, the severity of these symptoms can depend on the amount of the drug taken and the frequency.
Opiate Replacement Therapy vs. Opiate-Free Detox
Some programs rely on opiate replacement therapy with methadone or Suboxone/buprenorphine to treat a heroin addiction. Opiate replacement therapy has worked well for many people, but treating an opiate addiction with an opiate-based medication can lead to a second addiction and the need for a second detox. Heroin addiction is a chronic, progressing and relapsing condition.
An effective opiate detoxification procedure that targets withdrawal will decrease the chance for a relapse. You do not have to fear withdrawal. Waismann Method of rapid detox can virtually minimize painful heroin withdrawals, with a completely opiate-free procedure. Our pioneering rapid opiate detox has given thousands of our patients their hope and lives back over the last two decades. The team’s top priorities are safety, comfort and results. Therefore, we individualize our programs for each patient since no two cases of heroin addiction are the same.
Waismann Method does not use opiate replacement therapy to treat opiate addiction. Performed in an accredited hospital, our anesthesia assisted procedure utilizes intravenous medications to cleanse heroin from patients’ opiate receptors. This usually happens while they sleep lightly under sedation. Once they awaken, they have no conscious awareness of the heroin withdrawal that took place during the procedure. Our highly successful and humane medical detoxification treatment can reverse physical dependence with minimum heroin withdrawal symptoms in a matter of days, getting you back on your feet quicker than most other drug detox programs.
Anesthesia Assisted Heroin Detox
First, the treatment process begins with an intake in order for the medical director to assess and clear each patient as a candidate for our treatment. This quick interview helps our medical director assess and discuss the best opiate treatment program options. In addition, patients have the option to as questions to the treating physician at this time. Indeed, having knowledge of what to expect gives patients and our staff a complete picture and creates trust. This is crucial to the effectiveness and success of the process.
Then, the next step in the heroin detoxification treatment is admission to a private room of our full service hospital. We have a number of different medical detoxification options based on each patient’s unique situation. Not all patients are a candidate for rapid detox. However, in that case other forms of modified detoxification are available and will be discussed. The main objective of detoxification is to relieve the patient’s heroin withdrawal symptoms comfortably and safely.
Lastly, once patients are physically stable, they are transferred to our recovery center for a few days, where they are assisted around the clock and cared for throughout the readjustment period.
Heroin dependence causes numerous changes in brain chemistry and organ functions, so after detoxification it’s paramount that patients are professionally monitored properly for at least a few days in order to regulate basic functions and prevent medical complications and immediate relapse.
Humane and Effective Heroin Withdrawal Treatment
Knowing when it is time and which heroin treatment to choose can be very difficult. Waismann Medical Group offers the most successful and advanced medical solution for those suffering from heroin dependence. We offer both Anesthesia Assisted Rapid Detox and other forms of inpatient Medical Opioid Detoxification procedures. Our exclusive location is based only in Southern California, where we receive patients from all corners of the world. By focusing in a single location, we have been able to concentrate our efforts in maintaining our position as the leader in heroin detox services in the world. Our state of the art hospital and post care facility is backed by 25 years of experience, dedication and an unparalleled reputation for superior medical care.
For assistance and information call us today at 1-800-423-2482. We are here to help you!
