Heroin is a potent and illicit opioid that can cause addiction after only a few uses. Additionally, because of how strong it is, heroin addiction often leads to life-threatening overdoses.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), about 1.1 people reported using heroin in 2021.[1]
If you or a loved one are addicted to heroin, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it. While many people believe heroin withdrawal is not life-threatening, it can lead to severe dehydration that may become fatal without medical treatment. As a result, you should always seek help from a heroin detox center.
During heroin detox in New Jersey, you can expect a wide range of services including an initial assessment, medications to limit withdrawal, 24/7 support, as well as individual and group counseling. If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin addiction and are ready to begin your recovery, please contact our team at The Living Room at Princeton to discuss your treatment options.
What is Heroin Withdrawal Like and Why is Detox Important?
When you are addicted to heroin, your brain and body begin to rely on it to function properly and you experience withdrawal symptoms when it is not in your system. It can take up to a week for the symptoms of heroin withdrawal to subside.
Most people who experience heroin withdrawal describe it as feeling like a severe flu. The symptoms may include:[2]
- Agitation and anxiety
- Muscle aches and pains
- Teary eyes and runny nose
- Insomnia
- Excessive sweating
- Frequent yawning
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Goosebumps and shivering
While heroin withdrawal might feel like the flu, it can be life-threatening. Symptoms like sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting can lead to severe dehydration, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and even death.[3] Because these complications can arise, you should always seek support from a heroin detox center in New Jersey.
What to Expect During Heroin Detox in New Jersey
The goal of heroin detox is to help your body adjust to the absence of heroin without any severe symptoms or complications. This is achieved through a variety of services, including an assessment to determine your specific needs, medications to limit symptoms, consistent monitoring, 24/7 access to support, and a variety of therapies.
Assessment
The first step in heroin detox is assessing your specific needs. The medical team will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your heroin abuse history.
Examples of questions asked during an initial assessment include:
- How long have you been abusing heroin?
- What dose of heroin do you use each time?
- What method of administration do you use (i.e. smoking, snorting, or injecting)?
- Do you abuse other substances?
- Have you ever tried addiction treatment or experienced a relapse before?
- Do you have any physical health conditions?
- Do you have mental health conditions that require ongoing treatment?
The information gathered will be used to create a treatment plan that covers information like how long you will require detox services, what types of medications would benefit you, and more.
Medication Management
Once your treatment plan is created you will begin detox. Depending on your needs, you will be prescribed medication to limit withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings.
The medications you might be provided with to treat heroin withdrawal include:
- Suboxone
- Methadone
- Clonidine
- Lucemyra
Throughout detox, the dose of your medication will be slowly tapered until you no longer need it. This ensures that you are only on medication as long as you need to be, preventing further substance abuse from occurring.
24/7 Support and Monitoring
Heroin withdrawal can be difficult to deal with, even when you are on medications that prevent severe symptoms. More often than not, the emotional distress caused by quitting heroin abruptly requires additional support. Fortunately, you will have 24/7 access to mental health professionals who can provide emotional support and tips for coping.
Your physical health will also be monitored constantly to ensure you remain stable. This might mean checking your vital signs every couple of hours.
Individual and Group Counseling
Lastly, during heroin detox centers in New Jersey, you will participate in individual therapy and group counseling once you are feeling up to it. Both types of therapy will help you cope with the early stages of recovery, teach you how to manage your emotions healthily, and unpack the root causes of your heroin addiction.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Heroin Detox Center in New Jersey
If you or a loved one suffers from heroin addiction, a detox center in New Jersey can help you overcome the early stages of recovery. At The Living Room at Princeton, we pride ourselves on offering the highest standard of care.
At The Living Room, we offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based programs, combined with a host of wisdom traditions to support individuals and their families in the recovery process. Our programs are tailored to address the unique needs of adults, adolescents, and their families to ensure that each receives the personalized care they deserve.
To learn more about our heroin addiction treatment programs in New Jersey, contact us today.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of heroin use in the United States, Retrieved January 2024 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/scope-heroin-use-in-united-states
- Medline Plus: Opiate and opioid withdrawal, Retrieved January 2024 From https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm
- The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC): Yes, people can die from opiate withdrawal, Retrieved January 2024 From https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/blog/yes-people-can-die-opiate-withdrawal