Heroin Withdrawal and Detox in Colorado

Like many other states throughout the nation, Colorado has been hard-hit by the ongoing opioid epidemic. Prescription painkillers are one part of the problem, but many Colorado residents are also struggling with illicit opioids like heroin. In 2019 alone, almost 20% of Colorado detox and rehab clients were seeking help for heroin abuse and addiction.

Withdrawal is one of the many reasons why it can be so difficult to recover from a heroin addiction. Fortunately, medical detox programs can help relieve uncomfortable symptoms, reduce cravings and make withdrawal a safer process overall.

Heroin Withdrawal

Like other opioids, heroin can quickly cause physical dependence. This means that your body quickly acclimates to the presence of the drug and begins relying on it to function normally. If you are dependent on heroin and suddenly stop taking it, you will go through a period of withdrawal as the drug leaves your system.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable, and overcoming them is often one of the biggest obstacles people face in recovery. However, professional detox centers can provide the treatment and support necessary to get through this difficult process.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Heroin withdrawal symptoms can start within 12 hours of the last dose and may last for up to 10 days.

Heroin Taper

Many people who struggle with heroin try to gradually reduce the amount they use. This is known as a taper, and it may help to avoid the withdrawal symptoms that come from quitting the drug cold turkey. However, tapering is hard to do with heroin because it is a street drug. The drug’s purity and potency are inconsistent and can vary drastically, making a taper difficult.

As a result, it is safer to undergo a medical detox program. In detox, you stop taking heroin and switch to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using methadone or buprenorphine. These drugs prevent heroin withdrawal symptoms, and because they are long-acting opioids, they can also help reduce cravings. Experts consider MAT to be the gold standard of treatment when it comes to overcoming opioid use.

Heroin Detox

Detox is arguably one of the most important steps in heroin addiction recovery. In a professional heroin detox program, you are medically supervised while your body works to remove both heroin and its breakdown products from the system. The longer and more heavily you use heroin, the longer your heroin detox is likely to be.

Heroin Detox Timeline

Heroin detox is designed to ease symptoms that occur during withdrawal. As such, it can last as long as your withdrawal symptoms last, which is typically a little longer than a week for heroin.

When you are in detox, a medical team of doctors and nurses can treat your heroin withdrawal symptoms as they occur. In addition, a dietitian can ensure your body is receiving the nutrition and hydration it needs to combat the effects of withdrawal.

Heroin Detox Medications

Many different medications may be prescribed during heroin detox. Typically, treatment will start with MAT agents like methadone or buprenorphine. These long-acting opioids help treat withdrawal symptoms and reduce heroin cravings. This sets you up for success not only in the detox period, but also in rehab and throughout your recovery from heroin.

Other medications that may be provided in detox include:

• Prochlorperazine for nausea or vomiting
• Hyoscine for abdominal cramps
• Loperamide for diarrhea
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen for muscle cramps

About Our Heroin Detox Center In Colorado

Many possible complications can come from heroin withdrawal, which is why a professional, medically supervised detox program is advisable. The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake is a heroin detox center and treatment facility serving the needs of people from Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder and all of Colorado.

The Recovery Village Palmer Lake Drug & Alcohol Rehab

Address
443 S. CO-105
Palmer Lake, CO 80133

Contact Information
(719) 602-0914
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