Heroin Detox Process

About Heroin Detox

Detox is the first step to getting treatment for addiction and substance abuse. To enter a treatment facility, addicts must clear their systems of all illicit substances. Even addicts using outpatient and group methods, such as Narcotics Anonymous, need to be "clean" to begin the process of recovery. In the case of heroin, this means the addict needs to stop using and go through the withdrawal process. There are different types of detox, but they all serve the same purpose---to get the drug out of the system and help the addict make it through withdrawal.

How Heroin Addiction Works

Heroin works by activating the opium receptors in the brain. Heroin is so addictive because it is very similar, chemically, to the body's own opiate-like chemicals---endorphins. When an addict uses heroin, the heroin activates the same response as the endorphins, only more intensely, and the addict continues to use to get the same effects. Over time, some of the receptors burn out, so the addict has to use more heroin, and use it more often, to get the same high.

How Heroin Withdrawal Works

If addicts stop using, they will experience both mental and physical withdrawal symptoms. Heroin withdrawal is also known as "dope sickness," and the symptoms include chills, agitation, anxiety, muscle pain, depression, diarrhea and vomiting. Heroin withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, but they are very uncomfortable. As a result, the addict will keep using to avoid getting sick. The length of withdrawal depends on the addict, but, in general, it lasts three or four days.

Rapid Detox

Rapid detox involves the use of drugs to actually push the heroin out of the system. The addict is put under general anesthesia, in a medically controlled setting, and is unconscious throughout the procedure. As a result, the addict does not experience withdrawal. With rapid detox, addicts are under general anesthesia for two hours and remain in the hospital for up to 48 hours, or until they are physically stable.

Drug-Assisted Detox

Drugs such as methadone, buprenorphine and clonidine are chemically similar to heroin but do not provide the high. With drug-assisted detox, the addict takes regular doses of the drug over a prescribed period of time. The drug prevents the addict from having withdrawal as the heroin clears the body. Unfortunately, these drugs can also be addictive, as the addict needs to keep using them to avoid getting sick. Also, many addicts stop the drugs, or they continue using heroin to get the high.

Medical Detox

Like rapid detox, medical detox is administered by medical personnel in a controlled setting. With medical detox, addicts quit cold turkey, and the medical team helps them through the withdrawal symptoms by making them as comfortable as possible. In some cases, the medical personnel may administer drugs to deal with the more severe symptoms. Medical detox lasts the length of the withdrawal period.

Home Detox

Home detox involves quitting cold turkey, with no medical intervention. The addict basically "rides out" the withdrawal. While this method can be successful, without supervision the addict may use in order to stop the withdrawal symptoms.