A person who is addicted to opiates needs help getting clean. This is why it’s important to find a professional medical detox program that will provide the proper care you need during this difficult time. There are many different tips and tricks that can be found online that claim to make the process of opiate withdrawal easier, but these should never be used without the supervision of a doctor. They could increase the risks of complications or promote additional dependencies if not used correctly.

Withdrawal symptoms are the body’s natural response to stopping or cutting back on opiate use and can be very uncomfortable. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches and spasms, anxiety, and confusion. Many people who try to go through opiate detox on their own end up turning back to drugs to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal and face serious health consequences as a result.

There are several ways to treat heroin addiction, including a combination of medications for pain relief, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety, exercise, and acupuncture. Some of these treatments may not seem intuitive but have value based on how they counter the action of heroin in the brain. The most effective way to stop using heroin is through medically supervised drug detox. This is a process that will begin by checking the person into a medical facility for a general health workup. This will include a chest x-ray, a blood test and an evaluation of the person’s heart, kidney and liver function.

During the detox period, a person will be given fluids and electrolytes to combat dehydration. They will also be given prescription medications to manage their withdrawal symptoms. These medications are usually divided into agonists, antagonists and partial agonists. Heroin and most other opioids are full agonists, meaning they attach directly to opioid receptors in the brain to produce a full effect. Agonists, like methadone, are lower doses of a full agonist but still work to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Partial agonists, such as buprenorphine, bind with receptors in the brain to relieve withdrawal symptoms but do not produce any feeling of intoxication.

When a person’s detox is complete they will be transferred to the recovery phase where they can start their journey to sobriety. This will likely involve group or individual therapy, support groups, housing assistance, and work and school assistance if needed. Some people will continue to take a low dose of opioid medication, often methadone or Suboxone, to help control cravings and prevent relapse after detoxing.

Achieving long term sobriety from opiate and heroin addiction is difficult, but it is possible. With a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a medically supervised detox and aftercare, it is possible to overcome heroin addiction and lead a healthy life free from harmful substances.