Heroin is a type of semi-synthetic opioid that is made from morphine, which is developed from the opium poppy plant. It looks like a brown or white powder, but sometimes, it can also look like a sticky substance that is known as black tar.
According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 296 million people worldwide who have used drugs at least once in 2021, about 60 million used opioids, and 39.5 million people struggled with drug use disorder. Most people who were dependent on opioids used illicitly cultivated heroin. However, the number of people using prescription opioids is also growing.
In this blog, we will understand what heroin withdrawal is and why we experience this.
What are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?
Withdrawal symptoms appear when the body is suddenly cut off or deprived of a substance that it is already accustomed to. Once you introduce a drug like heroin into your system, you are destroying the body’s natural processes. Due to the imbalance, the body will respond by making adjustments.
The neurotransmitters and hormones in your body may go up or down, and some functions may go to full speed or stop completely. Ultimately, your body will slowly grow accustomed to having heroin in your system. As time goes by, you will develop a tolerance for the drug and will need a higher dosage to function normally, which would eventually lead to addiction.
If you suddenly decrease or stop the intake altogether, the body will catch up and feel the imbalance, which would cause withdrawal symptoms to appear.
How do Withdrawal Symptoms Manifest?
Withdrawal symptoms can manifest in both physical and psychological matters. It depends on several factors because each person has different experiences with withdrawal. Some factors to be considered are the amount of the drug being taken, how frequently, and whether it was being mixed with another substance.
The Timeline for Withdrawal Symptoms
The timeline for heroin withdrawal usually follows a specific pattern, but it may be different for each person. Usually, the onset of the symptoms will be felt 6-12 hours after the last dose. Next, the peak of the symptoms will be 1-3 days after the onset of the symptoms. Lastly, the symptoms will slowly begin to subside after 5-7 days. In some instances, people could experience protracted withdrawal symptoms that can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.
How Severe Can Withdrawal Symptoms Be?
Heroin withdrawal symptoms often range from mild to severe which often require medical help depending on the severity of the case.
What Causes Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?
Opioids typically bind themselves to opioid receptors in the brain, which produces pain relief and feelings of euphoria. As the person consistently uses opioids, the brain becomes reliant on its presence in the body’s system. Once the consistent intake is suddenly stopped or minimised, the body will struggle to function normally.
Why does the Body React to Heroin Withdrawal?
Generally speaking, the body reacts to heroin withdrawal because of the physical dependence that was developed through consistent use. Similar to other opioids, the brain’s chemistry becomes altered as the drug binds to the opioid receptors in the brain, which produces pain relief and feelings of euphoria. The brain works to catch up to these changes, ending up dependent on the presence of heroin to function normally.
What Role Does Tolerance Play in Withdrawal Symptoms?
Tolerance is developed as a person needs to take more of a certain drug to experience the same feeling experienced with a smaller amount. This happens because the brain and body adapt to the presence of the drug in the system.
As the tolerance level increases, the body becomes more dependent on the presence of the drug in the system, and once the person decides to stop abruptly, the body will be less capable of handling it.
The higher level of tolerance that is developed means the higher level of withdrawal symptoms may happen once the use of the drug is stopped. The sudden absence can cause a more definitive disruption.
How Do Psychological Factors Influence Withdrawal Symptoms?
Addiction is usually accompanied by a co-occurring mental health condition. If someone is already struggling emotionally, the stress of withdrawal could worsen the discomfort, which makes the process more difficult.
Along with the stress of withdrawal are the expectations a person has about how they are going to experience withdrawal. The initial belief they have about it could heavily influence the actual outcome. If the person perceives that they would have a negative experience, the withdrawal symptoms would appear worse than they are and vice versa.
In addition, people who have developed effective coping skills and can handle their emotions better tend to receive withdrawal symptoms better. Those who have not developed such abilities might have a harder time or prolonged symptoms.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal?
The common symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Problems with sleeping
- Severe muscle and bone pain
- Cold and hot flashes
What Physical Symptoms Should You Expect?
Heroin addiction and withdrawal can cause several physical symptoms, including:
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia
- Cold flashes and goosebumps
- Rapid heart rate
- Runny nose and sneezing
- Abdominal cramps
- Tremors
- Fatigue
What Psychological Symptoms Are Associated with Withdrawal?
Several psychological symptoms can arise because of heroin withdrawal. Here are some examples that you can look out for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Drug cravings
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia
- Dysphoria or a feeling of emptiness
- Suicidal thoughts
Are There Long-Term Symptoms After Withdrawal?
Sometimes, long-term withdrawal is called protracted withdrawal. Similar to other opioids, there are long-term withdrawal symptoms, and here are some examples of the symptoms you can look out for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Continuous fatigue
- Dysphoria or a general sense of feeling down
- Anhedonia or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Irritability
- Short-term memory problems
- Difficulty making decisions
- Impaired concentration
- Decreased attention levels
- Drug cravings
How To Manage Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
There are several ways to manage heroin withdrawal symptoms. However, the right choice will depend on the severity of the case and the recommendations of a licensed professional. Here are the things you need to know about withdrawal management:
The Best Practices for Withdrawal Management at Home
Withdrawal management at home will require a lot of time, preparation, and research. Consulting with a medical professional on whether or not this is a safe decision for you is of utmost importance. Before choosing to do so, a proper understanding of the severity of the case at hand is also essential. Here are some of the best practices you can do if you choose to manage your withdrawal at home:
- Set aside a significant time to focus on the effects of withdrawal
- Cut off your access to alcohol
- Seek support from your loved ones
- Slowly start tapering your alcohol consumption
- Find things to divert your attention, like finding a new hobby
- Integrate proper nutrition and exercise in your life
Risks Of Managing Opioid Withdrawal at Home
The severity of withdrawal symptoms can easily be misjudged. There are some instances that the symptoms will require medical attention, such as dehydration and severe anxiety.
Withdrawal can also be emotionally challenging for everyone going through it, but more so for people with co-occurring mental health conditions. This makes the probability of a relapse more and more likely.
There can also be some instances where other substances will be used to deal with the withdrawal symptoms from heroin, which could lead to further damage, especially without guidance.
Tapering off opioids alone can not go well because the specific dosages need to be carefully calculated by a professional to be successful.
When to Seek Professional Help
Like any other substance use disorder, once the symptoms are disrupting your day-to-day life, it is important to seek professional help right away. The more you choose to avoid the need for professional help, the more problems will arise in the long run.
Can Medications Help in Managing Withdrawal Symptoms?
The need for medication in handling heroin withdrawal symptoms depends on the discussed goals and specific needs that will be incorporated into the treatment plan. Here are some of the medications that are used to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Naltrexone
- Suboxone
Support Systems Help During Withdrawal
It is important to have all the support systems you can have once you are going through withdrawal. Withdrawal is not meant to be endured alone. Please keep in mind that you can reach out to the following:
Resources
Support groups and other resources for drug addiction are essential for long-term recovery. It is important to surround yourself with people who understand what you are going through or have been through what you are going through Here are some examples of support groups or resources you can consider:
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- SMART Recovery
Family Support
Surrounding yourself with friends and family who accept and love you is also essential during withdrawal. The support and encouragement from those who know and care about you is a reminder that anything is possible.
Potential Risks of Not Addressing Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
If you avoid the symptoms of withdrawing from heroin, this often leads to more harm down the road. The more you avoid it, the higher the risks become. Here are the potential risks you need to look out for:
Complications Of Withdrawal
Once acute opioid withdrawal symptoms appear, it can progress into medical conditions such as:
- Dehydration
- Digestive Issues
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Seizures
Relapse
If you choose to avoid withdrawal symptoms, you may find yourself craving to take more heroin, which often leads to a relapse. If nothing has been done to change your previous lifestyle and you are still doing the same things that pushed you into addiction in the first place, it can also trigger a relapse.
Steps You Can Take Toward Recovery
Recovery is possible as long as you believe and trust the process. Here are the steps you can take if you are ready to start your recovery journey:
- Acknowledge and accept that there is a problem.
- Seek help from a professional to understand the severity of your addiction.
- Undergo detoxification.
- Consider medication-assisted treatment.
- Engage in therapy and counselling.
- Take part in support groups like Narcotics Anonymous.
- Build your support system.
- Develop coping strategies.
- Set your own goals.
- Avoid your triggers.
- Keep yourself in ongoing support.
Where To Find Heroin Addiction Treatment and Detox from Heroin Safely
Research is an essential key to finding heroin addiction treatment and detoxing safely. There are several options out there, and it is a matter of time before you find an option that suits you the best.
You could reach out to your insurance provider for a list of centres in the area; you could ask friends and family if they are aware of certain places that offer the services you need. In addition, you can search online or take a look at what the government offers for people who are struggling with the same issues you are.
At Sierra Recovery, our programme for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as other services, offer comprehensive treatment. Contact us to learn more today.
