Detoxing from heroin at home can be done safely if certain precautions are taken. Some people prefer the privacy of home and the ability to choose who will be with them while they try to stop using heroin. Careful planning is needed to have a successful detox on your own.
How to Detox From Heroin at Home
Step 1
Talk to your doctor or health care practitioner ahead of time and ask what to expect during heroin detoxification. The first five days of detoxification are the toughest, so have a firm plan in place for those first days to maintain your resolve.
Step 2
Choose one or several people to stay with you whom you trust. One should be a medical professional such as a licensed nurse or a qualified health care practitioner. If you are unable to find or afford a licensed medical helper, be sure to write down the symptoms that you might experience so the people looking after you will recognize what is going on and know what to do for you.
Common symptoms that occur during heroin withdrawal are shaking, sweating, chills, intense flu-like body pains, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, great fearfulness, shaking and crying.
Step 3
Leave important phone numbers to reach your doctor, close relatives, Narcotics Anonymous sponsor and other important people for those who will be there with you to help out during your detox.
Step 4
Remove drugs and alcohol from your home before you start. The advantage of doing an in-treatment detox for heroin is the patient is held under lockdown in a safe place with no access to outside drugs. Choosing to do a drug detox at home puts the onus on you to make sure the environment is safe and drug-free.
Step 5
Stock the kitchen with foods you like, but especially focus on healthful foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and quality proteins. Prepare meals and snacks ahead of time and freeze them so you have something to eat during your detox. Buy Gatorade or other drinks to supplement electrolytes and have lots of fresh water to drink.
Step 6
Make sure to have comfortable clothing available and clean clothes as backup. Change the bedding and have warm blankets at the ready. A set of clean sheets is a comfort.
Step 7
Stockpile items to keep you busy during your home detox. Have movies to watch, music to play and playing cards. Activities will help take your mind off the pressures of detoxification.
Step 8
Arrange to attend a 12-step group before you start your detox and continue with it after you complete the detoxification. Consider finding a therapist or therapy group specializing in drug addition where you can go for support.
Tips and Warnings
- As bad as you feel during the first few days, each day you are getting healthier and will feel better until you are back to being drug-free.
- The suggestions offered here are for educational purposes and are not meant to take the place of medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- 12-step program and materials
- List of people staying with you
- List of important phone numbers
- Favorite foods precooked and frozen
- Fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, proteins
- Book, music, playing cards, movies,
- Clean clothes
- Clean bedding, extra blankets
- Addiction counselor/group
