Heroin Detox in San Diego

San Diego California's Premier Treatment Facility

Heroin addiction is a crippling condition that affects both the mind and the physical. It is a highly addictive drug that is exceptionally habit-forming and can quickly lead to a high level of reliance if not taken correctly. The number of heroin users nearly doubled between 2007 and 2012, showing that the substance is becoming more widely available. It is currently on the point of spreading like wildfire. 

Heroin addiction usually develops due to a person’s attempt to self-medicate. Because it is derived from Morphine, it behaves similarly to other drugs in the opiate family. When heroin users start taking it for fun, they do not anticipate becoming addicted. As with other opiates, safe and comfortable heroin detox is required before the healing process can begin.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that has a short half-life. Heroin is a highly addictive narcotic derived from morphine, a psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical extracted from the resin of the seed pod of the opium poppy plant. Heroin’s color and appearance are determined by how it is produced and what other substances it is mixed with. Depending on the variety, it might be a white or brown powder or a black, sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.”

Heroin is a substance that belongs to a class of medications known as opioids. Some prescription pain medicines, such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, are classified as opioids and illicit opioids.

Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in heroin use and overdose deaths. This increase is linked to a rise in the number of persons misusing prescription opioid pain medicines such as OxyContin and Vicodin, which is on the rise. Some people who become addicted to such drugs turn to heroin because it has effects comparable to those of other drugs, but is less expensive and easier to obtain.

Heroin Detox
Heroin Detox

We provide a safe, comfortable, and effective environment to our patients.

Signs of Heroin Addiction

The physical and psychological signs of heroin addiction are interchangeable with the drug’s side effects. There are various signs to be wary of when using heroin, including common side effects, severe (atypical) side effects, and overdose signs.

Short-Term Side Effects of Heroin Addiction

  • An initial euphoric rush 
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Flushed skin
  • Severe itching
  • Slowed heart rate (after the initial rush)
  • Drowsiness for hours
  • Heaviness of limbs
  • Clouded thinking 

Long-Term Symptoms of Heroin Addiction

  • Inflammation in mouth/bad teeth
  • Weakening of the immune system
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Muscular weakness; partial paralysis
  • Loss of memory and intellectual performance
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Coma

Atypical Signs of Heroin Addiction

Atypical users are those who have an uncommon reaction to heroin. Most possible solutions were discovered through a review of hospital data. Occasionally, the response was prolonged, lasting until the next day in some cases and several days in others. The heroin, in these cases, was likely contaminated; heroin distributors may have blended in other harmful substances, releasing a “bad batch” into the community.

It is vital to know the danger of swallowing tainted heroin, which may have more severe side effects than pure heroin. The following signs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are indicative of atypical heroin reactions that may occur:

  • Tremors
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Palpitations
  • Anxiety
  • Shortness of breath

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Bluish lips and nails
  • Disorientation
  • Shallow breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle spasticity
  • Low blood pressure
  • Drowsiness
  • Weak pulse
  • Coma
  • Delirium
  • Pinpoint pupils
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Symptoms of Heroin Withdrawal

Withdrawal can indicate physical dependence or, in certain situations, after a binge or a period of intense use. Although there is no defined time frame, heroin withdrawal symptoms usually start 6-12 hours after the last dose, peak in 1-2 days, and gradually lessen over 5-7 days.

Individuals may be unaware that someone they care about is abusing heroin in some cases. They will typically become aware of the magnitude of the heroin usage problem if they know that withdrawal symptoms are present. The following are some of the most prevalent heroin withdrawal symptoms:

Is Heroin Withdrawal Dangerous?

While heroin withdrawal is not commonly viewed as life-threatening, specific physiological and psychological symptoms may lead to potentially life-threatening complications in particular instances.

Someone suffering from depression, for example, may consider suicide. Heroin should never be suddenly discontinued without the support of medical and mental health professionals educated in various ways to address the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal and keep people safe during this process.

Furthermore, detoxing from heroin without medical help is extremely dangerous and should be avoided. Our professionals have a better understanding of withdrawal symptoms and can assist you in managing them while detoxifying.

Heroin Detox in San Diego

Getting into Heroin Detox treatment in San Diego, CA, is simple. Our medical specialists can help you determine the best treatment option for you. Medication and behavioral therapy are likely to be used. According to specialists, this medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for heroin addiction is the “gold standard” of care for patients suffering from the condition.

Medication can be used to wean your body off heroin, which can also help to reduce cravings. Suboxone and methadone work similarly to heroin in that they attach to opioid receptors in the brain and cause them to release their effects. These medications are less hazardous than heroin and have a longer duration of action. Because it blocks those receptors, naltrexone prevents opioids like heroin from having any effect. As a result, using them is less enjoyable.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy assists you in paying attention to your ideas and actions. It teaches you how to deal with stress and stressors. Another type of contingency management offers incentives like vouchers or money if you stay drug-free for a set time. To learn more about treatment options available, contact a Coastal Detox of Southern California team member today.

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