Heroin Withdrawal: What to Expect

The dreaded drug withdrawal. For addicts, that fleeting euphoria comes with a hefty price.

Whether you are in between drug highs or you just entered a Pennsylvania drug rehab to get clean, addicts are doomed to feel the negative side effects when that high wears off. At Clearbrook Treatment Centers, we see patients going through uncomfortable symptoms of heroin withdrawal when they start treatment, but we promise you it gets better.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

The first step to overcoming your heroin addiction is to remove the toxic substance from your body’s system. Trying to quit cold turkey on your own may be dangerous. Our inpatient detox center in Luzerne County will work with you to safely wean you off the drug and to support you through this difficult process. While everyone is different and the severity of the heroin withdrawal is dependent on many factors, there are some commonalities. Many addicts will experience heroin addiction withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Sweating and goosebumps
• Muscle aches and twitching
• Runny nose
• Poor mood including irritability
• Frequent yawning
• Sleeping issues
• Anxiety
• Nausea, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Intense drug cravings

The Heroin Withdrawal Timeline

The length of time that a person will experience these negative symptoms also varies. It is dependent on the severity of the addiction, the health of the addict, familial history, type of heroin, other addictions, and how long the addict has been abusing heroin. On average, symptoms will start as early as 12 hours after the drug use has stopped and can last up to ten days. Symptoms are usually most severe after two or three days. Unfortunately, some symptoms may taper off in severity, but they are not restricted just to withdrawal. Sleep problems, mental health issues, and drug cravings may continue for months after detox.

The opioid detox procedure is complex, and it is just the beginning of the recovery process. Detox may include the use of other drugs to block the opioid receptors like suboxone and methadone. Unfortunately, some people may also experience suboxone withdrawal, but our Pennsylvania treatment center can help you with that. Because many people also start their heroin addiction by abusing prescription pain medication, we also provide prescription drug abuse treatment to help our patients.

Whether you are struggling with drugs or you have problems with alcohol, you should seek treatment for your struggle with substance abuse. Get the help you need today by calling 570-536-9621.