What Happens In Heroin Rehab?

A person addicted to heroin is at high risk for pain, sickness, disease and even death without the aid of a professional heroin drug rehab facility. Heroin, a form of synthesized morphine, is one of the more addictive and potent substances to use today. The drug is classified as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it is illegal to possess or use due to it’s high potential for addiction. Though this opioid addiction can certainly be overcome, the road to recovery is always a difficult one.

Detox / Withdrawal

Before the real healing can begin, addicts must complete a medically monitored detoxification program. Detox works to remove the drug from the individual’s system while addressing the symptoms associated with withdrawal. The following is a list of common symptoms found in patients moving through withdrawal:

Anxiety

Depression

Sweating

Fever

Cramps

Diarrhea

Nausea

Insomnia

Vomiting

Aches

Due to the extent of these symptoms, it is strongly advised that addicts enroll in a medically monitored detoxification to help ease them through the withdrawal process in a safe and comfortable fashion.

Once an individual has completed detox, it’s time to move forward with the heroin rehab experience. Depending on the type of facility, a variety of methods can be utilized to help addicts through their initial recovery. Traditional heroin rehab centers tend to rely on individual and group therapy while promoting a structured, daily routine through various activities and group exercises. Holistic treatment facilities utilize many of the same methods found in traditional rehab centers, but with an emphasis on spirituality and natural treatments.

Regardless of the facility philosophies, the end goal is always a healthy and long lasting recovery. In order to achieve this goal, patients are encouraged to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan or action with their addiction counselor. In this way, patients are able to monitor their progress throughout and beyond the program while keeping their eye fixated on the big sobriety prize. 

Heroin Rehab – 4 Steps To Recovery

When a person makes the decision to enter a heroin rehab facility, a 4 stage journey is initiated to help the individual develop a sober, clean and happy lifestyle. These 4 steps – Initiation – Abstinence – Maintained Abstinence – Continued Recovery – have been developed and used by drug and alcohol addiction specialists the world over.

Initiation

Once help is sought out in combating a heroin addiction, the first step – initiation – is begun. Whether aid to sought out voluntarily or exterior forces have pushed the individual towards treatment, the recovery process always begins the same.

During the first few days of heroin drug rehab it is common for patients to experience feelings of ambivalence regarding the decision to give up using on a permanent basis. Often, patients feel that their addictions are not quite as awful as it’s being made out to be. In truth, these feelings of denial and ambivalence can prove to be your worst foes during your initial recovery. Beware.

Abstinence

Once a commitment has been made to continue with the treatment plan, the second stage – abstinence - can begin. Viewed by many as the toughest step in the recovery process, abstinence requires patients to deal with withdrawal symptoms, psychological dependencies, physical cravings and an array of triggers urging patients to relapse.

During this stage, patients are introduced to a licensed addiction specialist who will begin teaching various copings skills that can be used to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle. The tools garnered during this period will serve to help patients throughout the remainder of recovery.

Maintained Abstinence

Once a patient had completed their first 90 days heroin-free, they are able to move on to the third recovery step – maintained abstinence. Often, a patient who completes a 90 residential program is afforded the opportunity to continue their recovery on an outpatient basis. This serves in putting the lessons learned within the heroin rehab centers to use in a real world setting. Maintained abstinence typically begins after the first 3 months of sobriety, continuing until the individual has reached the five-year mark.

Advanced Recovery

After an individual has obtained five years of abstinence, the final stage – advanced recovery – can begin. It is during this stage that individuals are truly able to utilize the skills and tools learned during their initial recovery; putting them to proper use in building a happy and satisfying life.

Not only are addicts able to maintain their sobriety; they will also possess the tools needed to become a better parent and spouse, healthy individual, and positive contributor to society. 

Does My Teen Need Heroin Rehab?

Heroin rehab is a scary consideration for parents who suspect their teen is using. The drug is synthesized from morphine found in opium poppy seeds, producing a euphoric state in users by mimicking actions of natural endorphins on the brain. Though many users choose to inject the drug, the popularity in smoking and snorting is increasing due to the lowered risks associated with non-needle use. If you suspect that your loved one is using, the following entry will provide you with a few ways to spot the signs.

1 – Keep an eye out of drastic behavior changes. Teens who have begun using heroin may begin associating with a different crowd. Lowered grades and a drop in job performance or attendance may also be cause to take notice.

2 – Many addicts will show various physical changes due to excessive use. Common examples include runny eyes and noses or pupil constriction. Users may also begin sleeping more excessively, while exhibiting signs of lethargy and apathy during waking hours. Hygiene may be low on the priority list.

3 – Look for odd items around the home, such as small baggies, capsules, syringes, or antihistamine packing materials. Take note if valuables or cash suddenly goes missing. If the individual is dealing as well, you may also notice unfamiliar and unexplained valuables in their possession. 

4 – Even dress can be an indicator! Addicts may choose to wear winter-wear during high temperature periods to conceal their injection marks.

What To Do

If you confirm use, it’s important to rectify the situation immediately. Get in touch with a reputable heroin drug rehab facility to discuss potential treatment plans. Heroin rehab centers will be best able to assess and address the addiction at hand, while providing your teen with the tools and resources they need to move beyond their dependency and towards the productive, happy and fulfilling life they deserve.

Top 5 Heroin Rehab Myths Debunked

What comes to mind when the topic of heroin rehab is brought about?  Do you find yourself combating images of diseased and homeless addicts with no place to turn, or a comforting environment staffed with seasoned addiction specialists who can properly address the dependency? Truth be told, the number of misconceptions surrounding rehabilitation programs is so numerous, that many individuals suffering from addiction often disregard the mere idea of treatment based solely on negative influence. As such, we’ve decided to put together a basic list of common heroin drug rehab myths to help clear the air.

1 – Only “Rock Bottom” Addicts Go To Rehab

Simply put, the sooner an addict obtains help for their addictions, the easier the recovery will be, and the lower the risk of future relapse. Those with a dependency need not wait until their family, job, future and health have completely deteriorated to obtain the help they require.

2 – Affordable Rehab Is A Waste Of Time

Heroin rehab centers do not have to be exclusive or expensive in order to ensure the positive outcome for the patient. Most reputable facilities offer government assistance or plans to work with insurance to help patients obtain the aid they’re after.

3 – Rehab = Brain Washing

In instances of extreme addiction, an addict’s brain must be retrained to function without properly without the fallback of substance intake. Addicts must retain new skills and alter the way they perceive life in order to avoid future substance abuse issues. Residents of substance abuse treatment centers in California must also regain their health and self-confidence. As such, any negative behaviors associated with past usage must come to an end. While some may certainly refer to this process as “brain washing”, a closer look will confirm that it is nothing short of a re-education.

4 – Rehabs Push Religious Beliefs

Though religious-based facilities certainly exist, the vast majority of programs are non-denominational; allowing patients to work through their rehabilitation without having to conform to beliefs which conflict with their own.

5 – Relapse Means Failure

In many instances of relapse, the individual has enrolled in a treatment plan that is unsuitable to the severity of their dependency. Addicts suffering from an opiate addiction will do best to seek out a residential, long-term facility. This will afford the individual a secure and safe atmosphere without access to exterior influence. Patients in residential facilities are commonly provided with 24 hour monitoring and a wealth of assistance and resources to combat the addiction at hand. A quality facility will also offer aftercare options to help patients make a safe and healthy transition back into society.