Heroin Detox

The opiate Heroin is known by a number of pseudonyms including: Bag, Black, Brown, Brown Sugar, China White, Tar, Chiva, Dark, Diesel, Dope, Fix, Horse, Jenny, Junk, Negra, Smack, Speed-Balling, Stuff, White Horse or simply H.

Heroin

Heroin, which is derived from morphine, is a synthetic opiate that is four times as addictive as morphine. A schedule I narcotic drug, Heroin is illegal to manufacture, distribute or possess in the United States.

Frequent, repeated intake of Heroin causes a rapid development of tolerance, leading quickly to addiction. The drug produces an intense feeling of euphoria, upon use. However, that high dissipates as a user’s tolerance increases.

While the chemical structure of Heroin is similar to morphine, different Heroin users claim somewhat different perceived effects, which makes it a more popular recreational drug than Morphone. Heroin can be ingested orally, nasally, by smoking, by injection and through other methods.

Side Effects

Heroin use comes with severe physiological side effects that may include respiratory arrest, seizures, and spontaneous abortion for pregnant women. Heroin use may also lead to coma and death. On the less severe scale, side effects can include lowered heart rate, shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, dry mouth, pupil constriction, itching, and a rash.

The psychological side effects of Heroin use include confusion, euphoria, somnolence and addiction.

Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be severe and usually include at least sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, insomnia, vomiting diarrhea, goose bumps, and muscle spasms. Heroin users trying to quit might also complain of a symptom known as “itchy blood.”

in a much more pronounced manner. See below for further withdrawal information.

Users who attempt to quit the drug without the help of medication or treatment are said to be going “cold turkey.” Users who try to quit in this fashion are much more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms than users who seek professional help.

Heroin Detox

Heroin detox is a critical step in the addiction treatment process, which should be completed, prior to commencing drug rehabilitation. Heroin detox, itself, is not a treatment for Heroin addiction, but it usually helps relieve a user’s withdrawal symptoms while they adjust to a Heroin-free life.

Heroin detox can be done safely in a physician supervised setting. A properly licensed and certified heroin detox facility may safely and comfortably manage the detoxification phase of Heroin addiction treatment.

Thankfully, there are plenty of effective ways of treating Heroin addiction. But long-term Heroin use should never be abruptly discontinued unless the user is under the supervision of an experienced physician. A doctor can manage a patient’s withdrawal symptoms and help minimize their withdrawal period.

During Miramar Treatment Center’s inpatient addiction treatment, patients are provided physician-assisted herion detox that is monitored and supervised by specializing physicians and other health professionals. We also provide comprehensive rehabilitation services at our centers in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, Calif.