Heroin is a very powerful opioid that has a high potential for misuse. Heroin use leads to an instantaneous high and serious withdrawal symptoms, which make it very challenging to quit. As tolerance builds up, so does the risk of overdose and death. In the year 2023 alone, heroin was responsible for nearly 4,000 fatal overdoses. This is why reaching out to specialists or rehab centers is the best way to quit heroin, so that you can safely detox and heal in a comfortable setting.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an opioid, derived from another opioid known as morphine. Heroin is ten times more potent and addictive than morphine, as it changes the brain chemistry to the point that you will experience the persistent need to use it to feel and function normally.
The initial effects of heroin are pleasing – it is known for its euphoric and pain-relieving effects, but in the long run, heroin use becomes damaging and leads to:
- Tolerance and dependence
- Chronic constipation
- Reduced immunity
- Lung problems
- Impotence among men
- Fertility troubles among women
- Damage to blood vessels
- Skin abscesses and collapsed veins
- Increased risk of overdose and death.
What Are the Signs of Heroin Addiction?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) lists the following signs of substance use disorder, including heroin addiction:
- Persistent, intense cravings and urges to use heroin.
- Using heroin more frequently and heavily than intended.
- Trying to cut or stop heroin use, but are unsuccessful in doing so.
- Continuing heroin use despite its adverse effects on physical and psychological health.
- Prioritizing heroin over everything else in life, including education, career, relationships, and other activities/responsibilities.
- Using heroin in high-risk circumstances, like driving, swimming, or operating heavy machinery.
- Developing tolerance for heroin, means you will need larger quantities to experience the desired effect.
- Experiencing serious withdrawal symptoms upon trying to cut down or stop heroin use.
Dr. Marisa Sisk, the Chief Clinical Officer at Refine Recovery, tells us that, “Understanding the signs of heroin addiction is the first step to quitting heroin. Once you understand these signs, you can get the right level of care you or a loved one needs and deserves, as it is the only way to safely quit heroin.”
Why Is it So Difficult to Quit Heroin?
Quitting heroin can be challenging and difficult to do on your own, given how it impacts the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain and body begin to experience persistent cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut down or stop heroin use abruptly.
Withdrawal symptoms can set in within a few hours and can look as follows:
- Strong cravings and urges to use heroin
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle aches and twitching
- Mood shifts
- Crying bouts.
A combination of dependence, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult for a person to quit heroin on their own. In fact, Dr. Sisk informs us that, “Those who use heroin often try to cut back or quit heroin on their own, but unfortunately, the period of abstinence only lasts for a period of 2 weeks before they relapse.”
Why You Must Not Quit Heroin Cold Turkey?
Quitting heroin abruptly after a period of use is known as going cold turkey. The reason why this can be dangerous is that it leads to vomiting, dehydration, health complications, and relapse. Many return to heroin use after trying to quit on their own, and relapse only significantly increases overdose risk.
The safest and best way to quit heroin is to reach out to your primary healthcare provider or rehab centers so that they can offer the right level of care and emotional support as you safely withdraw and heal from heroin use.
How to Overcome Heroin Addiction?
If you want to cut down or overcome heroin use, the best way to do it is to reach out to your primary healthcare providers or rehab centers. At Refine Recovery, we offer the following options for a safe and effective healing experience:
- Medically Supervised Detox: The first step to recovery is detox, where heroin is gradually tapered off from your body to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. At Refine Recovery, your detox is monitored by a board-certified physician and a psychiatrist to ensure your safety and offer emotional support during this time.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone are used to control cravings and protect your body from withdrawal symptoms.
- Psychotherapy: Therapeutic interventions, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and 12-Step recovery models, are used to change the underlying patterns leading to heroin use and equip you with healthier coping skills.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Trauma-informed care identifies the trauma patterns leading to heroin use, so that you can heal in a safe, non-judgmental setting.
- Peer Support: Group therapy and other peer support programs like Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery offer connectedness, understanding, and collective growth.
- Aftercare: Aftercare planning involves ongoing therapy/counseling, medication management, relapse prevention, peer support, and sober living to sustain your hard-earned recovery.
Dr. Sisk mentions that “Nearly 6 out of 10 clients at Refine Recovery struggling with heroin use or other substance use disorders also struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders. This is why we offer dual diagnosis programs for a holistic healing experience.”
To treat heroin use and co-occurring mental health disorders, we offer dual diagnosis programs that use cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, medication management, and peer support for a comprehensive path to recovery.
Begin Your Recovery Journey With Refine Recovery Today!
Knowing how to get over heroin addiction is a crucial step in your recovery journey, as it informs you regarding the recovery options and the road ahead. However, heroin use can be dangerous and can easily turn fatal. So, do not delay your recovery any longer. If you or a loved one is struggling with heroin use, reach out to Refine Recovery to begin healing right away!
Please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 890-9573 to speak to our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Quit Heroin
1. How to cut heroin use?
A combination of pharmacological and behavioral interventions plays a crucial role in cutting down heroin use.
2. How hard is it to quit heroin?
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid, and quitting heroin can be very challenging, given the cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, with detox and rehab, recovery can become your reality.
3. How to stop using heroin?
To stop using heroin, the first step will be a medical detox so as to safely taper heroin levels from your body to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Doing this on your own or quitting cold turkey can otherwise be challenging and even dangerous.
4. How to stop heroin addiction?
Overcoming heroin addiction requires a step-by-step approach, involving detox, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, peer support, and aftercare.
5. How much does heroin addiction treatment cost?
Heroin addict treatment costs vary depending on the treatment center and the type of program. However, these costs will be covered by your health insurance under the Affordable Care Act in the U.S.
