How to Heal the Brain's Chemistry After Heroin Abuse

Though the actual physical withdrawal from heroin abuse peaks in one to three days and, in most cases, leaves the body entirely in one to two weeks, the brain chemistry is often altered far beyond that time frame. Many heroin addicts go through persistent depression and anxiety after the cessation of heroin use. This places them at risk for relapse, using heroin again. Treating the altered brain chemistry over a long period of time provides the best hope for preventing a relapse. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can heal the brain chemistry after heroin abuse.

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Contact a physician who specializes in addiction treatment. Make an appointment for consultation. Be completely honest with the physician about heroin abuse, past mental illness issues such as depression and anxiety, current concerns and withdrawal symptoms.

• 2

  Take medications provided as prescribed. Discuss timing and combination of medications with pharmacist for optimum medication benefit.

• 3

  Attend 12-step or other substance-abuse-recovery meetings on a regular basis. Make the meetings a priority in your daily or weekly schedule.

• 4

  Record all follow-up medical appointments on a calendar and keep them. Inform the physician of any changes, including increasing depression or anxiety, increased desire to relapse and changes in stress level.

• 5

  Take a daily mult-vitamin to replace nutrients depleted during heroin use. The vitamins have a positive impact not only on the body but on the brain and will assist in healing the brain chemistry.