Heroine addiction can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms that last several days or even weeks. During this time, the body eliminates the drug’s toxins. The detox process can be difficult, and it’s best to undergo a medically supervised heroin addiction treatment program. This way, you can be monitored by professionals to ensure your safety and comfort during this challenging time.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

If you have an addiction to heroin, your doctor will probably recommend a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. The goal is to help you understand the underlying causes of your heroin addiction so that you can develop healthier coping strategies. You will also learn how to identify triggers that can prompt relapse and find healthy ways of dealing with them. Behavioral therapies can include cognitive-behavioral and contingency management treatments.

Medications that can treat heroin addiction include FDA-approved opioid agonists and antagonists. These medications work to alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms while blocking the effects of heroin on the brain. These medications can be used long-term to control opioid use disorder.

Heroin is a powerful and dangerous drug that can cause life-threatening overdoses. If you suspect that someone is overdosing, you should call 911 immediately and administer a dose of the anti-overdose medication naloxone. You can get naloxone without a prescription from many pharmacies. This medication is available in an auto-pen (Evzio) or nasal spray (Narcan). In addition, a number of drug overdose deaths are caused by people using heroin mixed with other drugs like cocaine or fentanyl.

A person who has been abusing heroin can quickly develop a tolerance to it and need higher doses to experience the same effect. This can make it more difficult to quit, and may lead to drug relapse. A high dose of heroin can cause seizures, which can be fatal.

People who struggle with heroin addiction often lose their jobs and become homeless. They might drain their savings and retirement accounts, sell assets and even take out loans to fund their drug habit. This can lead to overwhelming financial problems, and some individuals end up filing for bankruptcy.

Behavioral treatments for heroin addiction can address the root causes of your drug use, such as traumatic events and co-occurring disorders. These therapies include dialectical behavior therapy, family therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation. These therapies can improve your quality of life and increase your chances of achieving lasting sobriety.

There are a variety of ways to pay for addiction treatment, including insurance and self-payment. You should never allow fear of costs to keep you from seeking help. Individuals with heroin addictions have drained their savings and emptied their bank accounts to fund their habits. They may have drained their personal relationships, as well. If you don’t have the money to fund your treatment, look into government assistance programs and loan options. You can also ask your doctor for help finding an affordable rehab program. Ultimately, the cost of not receiving treatment is far greater than the expense of going to rehab.