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.