Fortunately, heroin addiction treatment is available and can help people overcome addiction once and for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin is an illicit opioid and a Schedule I<\/a> controlled substance, meaning it has no medical use and has a high risk for addiction, abuse and dependence. Heroin works by triggering the brain\u2019s mu-opioid receptors and reward circuit, leading to a quick high that paves the way for addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When discussed by dealers, heroin is rarely called heroin. Instead, dealers will talk about the substance using heroin street names. Some street names for heroin include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin from drug dealers is rarely pure. Heroin is cut with many different substances. Some are harmless, and others can be lethal. Some common items include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin has many short-term side effects, such as<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Long-term side effects of heroin use, including addiction, are also possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides its short-term side effects, heroin also carries long-term risks. These include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin overdose symptoms include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you suspect someone is overdosing on heroin, you should give naloxone (Narcan<\/a>) immediately and call 911. Heroin overdoses are common, and 639<\/a> Floridians died of a heroin overdose in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n When someone starts to struggle with an opioid like heroin, indications of addiction often emerge. Although not everyone will have all characteristics, having at least two signs<\/a> can indicate an addiction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many options for heroin addiction treatment exist, depending on where you are in the recovery process. Further, certain drugs may be used to help ease your withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Medical detox, rehab and medications are tailored to the person\u2019s needs giving them the best chance of recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin detox or detoxification is necessary to completely clear heroin and its metabolites from your body. Trying heroin detox on your own at home can lead to unpleasant and dangerous withdrawal symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, undergoing heroin detox in a medical facility (sometimes called medical detox) can help. In medical detox, your heroin withdrawal symptoms can be treated as they occur, leading to a much more comfortable withdrawal from heroin. Medication-assisted treatment<\/a> (MAT) with methadone or buprenorphine-based products like Suboxone often starts in medical detox to help avoid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest complication of heroin detox is the individual returning to drug use after a successful detox. This complication can be very dangerous because most opiate overdose deaths<\/a> occur in people who have just detoxed. Withdrawal from heroin reduces an individual\u2019s tolerance to the drug making it possible for people who completed detox to overdose on much smaller doses or amounts of heroin than they had used before with no issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following medical detox, a person enters inpatient or outpatient rehab. Rehab should last at least 90 days<\/a>. However, it can continue for much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Residential rehab<\/a>, also known as inpatient rehab, often immediately follows medical heroin detox. This kind of rehab mixes addiction treatment and support for medical issues. If you have underlying medical problems, time in inpatient rehab may address your medical needs and addiction. This rehab stage aims to create a safe place for you to recover. Benefits of this type of rehab include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After residential rehab, you may be able to continue to outpatient rehab while living at home or in a sober living house. In outpatient rehab<\/a>, you continue therapy one-on-one or in groups. Support groups may also be an option. While in outpatient rehab, you may be able to maintain a job and social responsibilities. Outpatient rehab may be an option when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehab includes many components, such as medications and therapy<\/a>. Therapy is an integral part of rehab. Studies show that therapy halves<\/a> the risk of quitting a heroin treatment program. Therapy is important because it can<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehab offers different types of therapy. Depending on your needs, you may participate in one or more of them during your recovery. They include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Substance use and mental health are closely linked. Mental health issues<\/a> are a major risk factor<\/a> for quitting a heroin recovery program. Further, successfully addressing<\/a> mental health problems is linked to success in long-term heroin recovery. Even if you stop taking heroin, mental health problems must still be treated. Otherwise, these problems continue and increase your risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with mental health issues may need extra support in rehab. In dual diagnosis treatment<\/a>, addiction and mental health problems are treated together. The required treatment length can differ by person. Common mental health issues that can be addressed are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin use and addiction cause tolerance and physical dependence, which result in negative symptoms when the drug is withdrawn or withheld from the body. The symptoms are also known as withdrawal symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common heroin withdrawal symptoms include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heroin withdrawal symptoms are frequently described as being similar to having the flu. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends on multiple factors, including how long the individual used heroin, the amount of heroin they used and the method by which they used heroin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically, heroin withdrawal symptoms may appear 8\u201312 hours<\/a> after the last use, with symptoms peaking in severity between 48\u201372 hours after the last use. One of the most frequent concerns regarding heroin withdrawal is how long heroin withdrawal lasts. Typically heroin withdrawal symptoms clear after 7\u201310 days<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medication-assisted treatment<\/a> (MAT) is often used to fight withdrawal symptoms while you undergo medical detox. The gold standard<\/a> MAT treatments are methadone and buprenorphine-based products:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buprenorphine (Suboxone. Sublocade):<\/strong> This opioid<\/a> is considered the best<\/a> choice for moderate-to-severe withdrawal in most people. It can help withdrawal symptoms and lessen cravings. It is often combined with naloxone<\/a> to reduce the risk of misuse. Buprenorphine<\/a> can be used in medical detox and long-term opioid replacement therapy. It is most often prescribed as an oral film combined with naloxone under the brand name Suboxone. Buprenorphine is one of the most convenient MAT treatments, as regular pharmacies can dispense it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Methadone (Methadose): <\/strong>This opioid<\/a> can be used in both opioid withdrawal<\/a> and opioid replacement therapy. It can stop cravings without causing a high. It can also block a high if you take heroin. Methadone for MAT cannot be obtained from regular pharmacies, and special methadone clinics must dispense it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cornerstone of heroin addiction treatment is MAT with methadone or buprenorphine-based products. However, besides these, other medications<\/a> may help you during rehab. Some drugs may ease withdrawal symptoms. Others may reduce cravings and help achieve long-term sobriety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The long-term success of rehab depends on your ability to hone the life skills you learned in rehab. Unfortunately, the stress of the outside world can often distract people from this goal. For this reason, aftercare<\/a> is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. Aftercare can include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further, a supportive living environment after rehab is key to recovery. Some people may benefit from living with others in a sober house after rehab. Studies have shown that living alone<\/a> after rehab increases relapse risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Recovery Village at Baptist Health offers a full continuum of programs to get you off heroin and keep you off the drug for good. This starts with medical detox, where you are weaned from heroin and may be put on medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine if medically appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, we offer rehab options to teach you skills to lead a heroin-free life, including inpatient, outpatient and aftercare programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We accept several different insurance policies; check if we work with your insurance coverage here<\/a>. Even if you don\u2019t see your plan, please let us know; we don\u2019t want to turn anyone away and will work with you as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have two Florida facilities to choose from when you decide to come off heroin. Both offer a full continuum of heroin recovery treatment, including medical detox (with MAT, as medically appropriate), rehab treatment, dual diagnosis care and aftercare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our inpatient treatment facility, The Recovery Village Palm Beach, offers a full continuum of treatment programs with hotel-style rooms, nutritious meals, and amenities like basketball, volleyball, a swimming pool, two fully equipped gyms, and several lounges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Recovery Village Miami is our outpatient facility, centrally located in South Miami, with comfortable spaces and expert therapists to help you on the way to independence in recovery. Our Miami facility focuses on intensive outpatient and traditional outpatient levels of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you or a loved one struggles with heroin, you are not alone. Heroin addiction is powerful, but your addiction doesn\u2019t need to win. You can overcome it. Our treatment program at The Recovery Village at Baptist Health can help: contact us today<\/a> to learn more about how we can help you overcome heroin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Seeking treatment for heroin addiction can increase your chances of successfully recovering from the dangerous long-term effects of heroin misuse. Heroin is a highly addictive drug classified as an illegal opioid. Heroin and prescription opioids have been linked to an alarmingly high number of drug overdose deaths. The CDC estimates about 130 Americans die every day from opioid […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":481,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[86],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-3440","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry","category-heroin","tag-opioids"],"acf":{"written_by":317,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":283,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Last Updated<\/i> - 07\/25\/2023<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20230725","page_last_edit_date":"20230725","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling 888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"National Institute on Drug Abuse. \u201c<\/span>What are the long-term effects of heroin use?<\/span><\/a>\u201d June 2018. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nDrug Enforcement Administration. \u201c<\/span>Heroin<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nMars, Sarah G.; Ondocsin, Jeff; Ciccarone, Daniel. \u201c<\/span>Sold As Heroin: Perceptions and Use of an Evolving Drug in Baltimore, MD<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, December 6, 2017. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201c<\/span>Heroin<\/span><\/a>.\u201d May 23, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201c<\/span>Understanding the Epidemic<\/span><\/a>.\u201d March 17, 2021. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201c<\/span>Heroin Overdose Data<\/span><\/a>.\u201d June 6, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nDrug Enforcement Administration. \u201c<\/span>Controlled Substances<\/span><\/a>.\u201d August 2, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nPsychDB. \u201c<\/span>Opioid Use Disorder<\/span><\/a>.\u201d May 3, 2021. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNational Library of Medicine. \u201c<\/span>Opioid Misuse and Addiction Treatment<\/span><\/a>.\u201d October 8, 2019. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nSalamina, Giuseppe; Diecidue, Roberto; Vigna-Taglianti, Federica; et al. \u201c<\/span>Effectiveness of Therapies for Heroin Addiction in Retaining Patients in Treatment: Results From the VEdeTTE Study<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Substance Use and Misuse, 2010. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNational Institute on Drug Abuse. \u201c<\/span>How long does drug addiction treatment usually last?<\/span><\/a>\u201d January 2018. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHser, Yih-Ing. \u201c<\/span>Predicting long-term stable recovery from heroin addiction: findings from a 33-year follow-up study<\/span><\/a>.\u201d Journal of Addictive Diseases, 2007. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWorld Health Organization. \u201c<\/span>Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings<\/span><\/a>.\u201d 2009. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAmerican Society of Addiction Medicine. \u201c<\/span>National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder<\/span><\/a>.\u201d December 18, 2019. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>\r\n\r\nEvangelou, A; Kalfakakou, V.; Georgakas, P. \u201c<\/span>Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) effects on withdrawal syndrome of heroin abusers<\/span><\/a>.\u201d In Vivo, March-April 2000. Accessed August 28, 2022.<\/span>"},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":317},{"staff_member_title":"Medical Reviewer","select_staff_member":283}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/3440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/3440\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/481"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/283"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Modern-Promotion-Business-Agency-Blog-Banner-1-2048x1152-1-1024x576.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHeroin Addiction Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Heroin Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Long-term Side Effects of Heroin Addiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Signs of Heroin Addiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Treatment for Heroin Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Heroin Detox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Dual Diagnosis Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Medication-assisted Treatment for Heroin Withdrawal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Heroin Addiction Medications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ongoing Treatment and Relapse Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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About Our Heroin Addiction Treatment Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
About Our Heroin Addiction Treatment Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get the Help You Need Today<\/h3>\n\n\n\n