by admin on February 7, 2010
Heroin is reputed to be one of the more dangerous, life-threatening addictive drugs around. Not only does the drug itself cause considerable damage to the human body, especially with long term use, but it also is responsible for most of the drug related fatalities amongst users. Not only is it very hard to get over addiction to this drug, but addiction will happen within days of constant use. Part of the reason for it being very difficult to overcome is that the actual withdrawal process is very difficult and painful for addicts. Heroin detox, however, is the first step in total rehabilitation.
Within around twelve hours after the last shot of heroin was taken, withdrawal symptoms begin and they continue for between two to four days. They are painful and difficult for an addict to go through. Typical symptoms include: nausea and vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea, chills and sweating, insomnia, runny nose and sneezing, overall tiredness, body weakness and irritability. It is estimated that up to 30% of patients will drop out of a detox program before it is completed as they cannot put up with the physical withdrawal symptoms.
People who want to undergo detox should only do so under medical supervision, at a center where there is trained staff on hand to help during the process. During the treatment, the staff will do all that they can to alleviate the addicts withdrawal symptoms and to keep them as comfortable as possible. Another treatment, recently used in some situations is a rapid detox program, where the addict is either heavily sedated or under anesthesia during the initial detox period. Side effects from this treatment are many, and as such it is not recommended in most cases.
Unfortunately there is no easy, pain free way for people to undertake detoxification. The drug itself is a very dangerous drug and its hold the heroin addict is very strong and hard to shake off. Even after detoxification and rehabilitation it is very common for an addict to relapse back into drug taking again.
by admin on January 23, 2010
Heroin addiction is a debilitating and often fatal issue. Heroin is a highly addictive illegal opioid used recreationally by many people across the world. Not only can the heroin addiction itself be fatal, but the symptoms associated with heroin withdrawal can also prove to be fatal for many addicts. These symptoms can include excessive sweating, increased feelings of anxiety and depression, sever pain in the bones and muscles, insomnia, cold sweats and body chills. These symptoms appear within twenty-four hours of the last dose of heroin, and peak at about seventy-two hours, gradually dissipating after a week. Because these symptoms can be very severe and debilitating for the addict, many people return to the drug to ease their symptoms. For this reason, many heroin addicts never kick the habit or for that matter ever make it to heroin detox.
Suboxone is a medication that contains a combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone. Bupresorphine is similar to other opioids, such as heroin, except that it provides less intense feelings or euphoria and is easier to stop taking. Naloxone is a drug that blocks the effects of many opioids, including heroin. This will lead to the addict experiencing the withdrawal symptoms previously mentioned, but to a lesser degree. A relatively new way called Suboxone heroin detox is used by many doctors in drug rehabilitation centers to treat those addicted to heroin. It is used in conjunction with other methods and medications, all combining to form a detoxification program for the addict. After the addict has been stabilized with suboxone, the dosage is gradually decreased, usually over a specified period of time. The dosage of suboxone is usually decreased by two milligrams every three of four days. The goal is to break the addict’s dependency on opioids by introducing suboxone, which has been shown to be easier to stop taking. The use of this drug makes breaking a heroin addiction much easier than simply quitting cold turkey. Those addicts who turn to rehabilitation centers for help with their addiction problem also benefit from the support of doctors, and both group and individual therapy sessions.