|  | Conditions Treatments | Drug Addiction

Heroin Detox Methods

Prolonged heroin use can lead to a physical dependence on the drug. Heroin is a highly addictive opiate derived from morphine that produces euphoric, analgesic effects by binding to opiod receptors in the brain. Heroin detox can produce severe physical symptoms. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends medically assisted heroin detox. There are a variety of methods by which to safely detox.

  1. Detox

    • Stop using heroin. Detox is the essential first step in the effective treatment of heroin abuse. Heroin detoxification, or detox, is the process of ridding the body of heroin. Heroin detox can produce physical symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, and a strong craving for heroin.

    Inpatient Care

    • Seek care at a residential treatment program or therapeutic community. Such a facility will provide you with a safe, supervised, drug-free environment in which to cope with detox. Consider staying for three to six months while you adjust to being heroin-free.

    Medicine

    • Enroll in a treatment program that will provide you with access to medicines that may treat your addiction. Methadone is a synthetic opiate that is prescribed to reduce cravings and diminish withdrawal symptoms. LAAM or Buprenorphine may also be prescribed. According to the NIDA, Buprenorphine has a lower risk of overdose and physical dependence. Clonidine and Lofexidine are other drugs used to treat heroin detox symptoms.

    Therapy

    • Participate in some form of outpatient therapy. There are many types of outpatient treatment, including individual and family counseling, and support groups. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help you develop new drug-free behavioral patterns, and new ways of dealing with situations that you may associate with heroin. Contingency management is voucher-based reward program that rewards continued abstinence from heroin.

    Other Methods

    • Find a treatment method that addresses your specific needs. According to HeroinAbuse.net, a medically safe sauna and a regimen of vitamins are an effective way to flush heroin from your system. According to the NIDA, a medically assisted detox program is the surest way to stay safe and remain drug-free.

    Warning

    • According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2005, rapid, anesthesia-assisted detox methods are risky and no more effective than other methods.

Drug Addiction - Related Articles