The Timeline of Heroin Detox in Long Beach
Heroin is a synthetic opioid drug that can impact the brain in several ways. Abusing this dangerous drug can lead to serious long-term and short-term issues including addiction. It can feel impossible to break the cycle of a heroin use disorder, but with professional help, and a dedicated detox team, it is possible to overcome this life hurdle and get back on track. An inpatient detox program keeps you safe and comfortable and helps you avoid relapsing because you will stay within the treatment center 24 hours a day, away from the temptation of using heroin. Because the most intense physical withdrawal symptoms will be removed, you will be less likely to be overwhelmed by detox symptoms and therefore more likely to continue with treatment. Muse Treatment Center offers a safe heroin detox Long Beach inhabitants can access when they are ready to start the process. The timeline for heroin detox near Long Beach is different for everybody, by it generally proceeds as follows:
- 6 to 12 hours – The first signs of withdrawal tend to show up within 6 to 12 hours of stopping use. It can start with a feeling similar to getting sick, with flu-like symptoms like cold sweats, goosebumps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. You may also notice that you are yawning a lot, your eyes are tearing up, and your nose is running. Feelings of anxiety and agitation will also begin. Symptoms will get stronger as time passes, including depression, muscle aches, abdominal cramps, restless legs, and other body pains and discomfort. Psychologically, you will begin to feel agitated with strong cravings to use heroin.
- 12 hours to 7 days – This acute detoxification phase usually lasts for around 5 to 7 days and can be made easier in a medically assisted detox program. Prescription medications can be provided to reduce discomfort and cravings and help you rest as you begin your recovery. Some commonly used medications in detox treatments include benzodiazepine medications, antipsychotics, antidepressants, blood pressure medication, nausea medication, diarrhea medicines, sedatives, and diuretics. Many heroin addiction recovery centers near Long Beach also begin to introduce holistic healing methods, counseling, and therapy at this time.
- Several weeks/months – The second detox phase is also known as post-acute withdrawal. Some of the withdrawal symptoms like nausea, achy feelings, and cravings may come and go for weeks or months, especially during periods of high stress. This is why a strong rehabilitation plan with relapse prevention education is recommended for people who are quitting heroin.
Who Needs Heroin Detox?
Heroin addiction is a serious disorder that often requires professional intervention. It can change the brain’s chemistry and even cause neurological damage. Withdrawal symptoms can become intense, which leads many people to relapse. Even mild withdrawal symptoms can be enough to cause a person to falter in their resolve. You may be a person who needs professional heroin detox if you:
- Are unable to quit heroin on your own, no matter how hard you try
- Continue to use heroin, even though it has caused serious problems in your life
- Have been using heroin even when it is dangerous to do so, like using the drug alone, while driving, or while taking care of children
- Find yourself constantly thinking about the next time you can use heroin
- Are always worried about running out of heroin and spend a lot of time obtaining and using it
- Are dropping the ball at work, at home, at school, and with social obligations due to heroin use
- Experience strong cravings and urges to use heroin or feel withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back
Discover the signs of heroin use in our blog below:
How Long Does Heroin Detox Take?
There is no universal timeline we can give regarding heroin detox. Long Beach residents who come to Muse for treatment will receive individualized care for as long as needed. For some, detox may only take a week or so, while others may have co-occurring conditions that cause detox to take longer. Mental health disorders, physical health conditions, and other issues may require treatment simultaneously as a person is detoxing, adding time to the detox program.
Others who quit heroin may enter a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program after detox. This specialized program utilizes prescription doses of FDA-approved replacement medications like methadone, Subutex, or suboxone, that occupy the opioid receptors in the body to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without creating a high or causing a new addiction to form.
These programs can last for weeks or months. Combined with intensive therapy and rehabilitation efforts, these doctor-led programs are often very effective in helping patients get through the first difficult months, slowly tapering off the dosage until physical dependence has waned.
What Comes After Heroin Detox in Addiction Treatment?
Detox is only the first step in addiction treatment. The bulk of the work is done in rehab. There are a few different levels of care after heroin detox Long Beach residents can choose from. These are:
- Inpatient rehab: 30 to 90 days living inside the treatment center, with strong support and 24-hour care provided in a completely sober, structured environment
- Partial hospitalization: an outpatient program with patients living outside of the treatment center but coming in for full days of therapy and other programming
- Intensive outpatient program: a flexible outpatient program, usually three hours per day, three to five days per week. Patients live at home or in sober living care, go to work or attend to their everyday responsibilities, then attend support groups, therapy, etc. in the evenings or on weekends
For people who are quitting heroin, all three levels of care are often recommended, starting with inpatient rehab. Living inside the treatment center takes patients out of their usual routines and away from temptations during the most difficult first few months, learning healthier habits and new ways of thinking. Outpatient treatment plans can then help them reintegrate into their normal lives at their own pace.
The Role of Aftercare Following Treatment for Heroin Addiction
Opioid drugs like heroin are some of the most difficult substances to quit because the cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be intense, and they can return even after months of rehab. Going through a strong relapse prevention program and staying in touch with a strong support system that includes peers, doctors, counselors, case managers, and mental health experts will give you the best chance at avoiding relapse. At Muse, we encourage anybody who has noticed signs of relapse to return at any time for additional rehabilitation or therapy.
Call Muse for Help With Heroin Detox in Long Beach
The Muse treatment center offers heroin detox Long Beach programs that will not only help you overcome the first few weeks of withdrawal as your brain chemistry resets and your body recovers. We create customized long-term care programs tailored to suit each patient’s needs. Through an integrated combination of therapy, counseling, holistic healing, behavioral therapy, educational programs, process groups, health care, and psychiatric care, we will help you regain control over your life as you regain your sense of self.
We take the time needed to get to know our patients and then provide the evidence-based care that we believe will work best for their unique challenges to help meet their wellness and recovery goals. Offering comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment options, the Muse treatment center ensures that through expert medical care, mental health services, counseling, relapse prevention programs, social support, and aftercare, everybody who enters our program will be given the best possible chance of achieving long-term sobriety.
If you would like to learn more about how we help patients quit heroin, please call our team now at (800) 426-1818. We have expert sober living specialists who are ready to speak with you and get you started on your path to sobriety.
