Withdrawal can be a formidable obstacle on the path to recovery from heroin addiction. Common questions about this process include what types of symptoms are common and how long does heroin withdrawal last? Getting the answers to these and other relevant questions can prepare you for a successful start to your recovery journey.
If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin addiction and need a safe place to detox, call us today or verify your insurance online to take the first step toward recovery
What Happens During Heroin Withdrawal?
If you become addicted to heroin, then abruptly stop using it, your body will struggle to regain equilibrium. This effort can cause a variety of troublesome symptoms, including:
- Intense cravings for heroin or other opioids
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Elevated body temperature
- Excessive perspiration
- Racing heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Pain in muscles and bones
- Disrupted sleep
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Depression
It’s no exaggeration to note that this can be a decidedly unpleasant experience. But when you know what to expect, you can make the most informed decisions about your treatment and your health.
How Long Does Heroin Withdrawal Last?
When you are afflicted by heroin withdrawal symptoms, the discomfort can feel like it may never end. The good news is that the experience isn’t permanent – but when you’re in the midst of it, it’s understandable to wonder, how long does heroin withdrawal last?
Factors Influencing Heroin Withdrawal Duration
The exact amount of time it takes to complete the withdrawal process can be influenced by factors such as:
- How long you have been using heroin
- How much of the drug you have been using
- If you have been abusing other substances
- If you have any co-occurring medical or mental health concerns
Typical Heroin Withdrawal Timeline
In general, here’s what you can expect while you’re withdrawing from heroin:
- You will usually begin to feel the first symptoms within eight to 24 hours of your last dose.
- Symptoms will typically intensify over the next three to five days. During this time, you may feel like you have a particularly severe case of the flu, along with drug cravings and the psychological symptoms mentioned in the previous section.
- After your symptoms have peaked, they will begin to gradually decrease. This can take another three to five days.
- Six to 10 days after you stopped using heroin, your symptoms should have subsided, and you should be starting to feel better.
For many people, this marks the end of withdrawal and the beginning of the effort to make the lifestyle changes that will support long-term recovery.
Understanding Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Unfortunately, some people experience extended symptoms, a development that is referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS.
PAWS can include persistent fatigue and disrupted sleep patterns, but it primarily involves psychological symptoms such as:
- Continued drug cravings
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Low motivation
- Irritability
- Depression
The PAWS timeline can range from a few months to a few years. PAWS can be a considerable obstacle to successful recovery, but when people get the help they need, they can get through this experience without relapse.
Benefits of Detox for Heroin Withdrawal
If you try to get through withdrawal on your own, the intensity of your symptoms may quickly push you back into active heroin use. To give yourself the best opportunity to finally stop using this drug for good, a detoxification program may be the ideal place to begin your recovery journey.
The many benefits of detox for heroin withdrawal include:
- Safety: You will be in a safe, closely supervised environment where you won’t have access to heroin or other dangerous substances.
- Expertise: You will be cared for by a team of professionals who are familiar with all aspects of the withdrawal process. Your team can answer any questions you have about your withdrawal experience and address any contingencies that might occur.
- Medication: Depending on the nature of your symptoms, you may receive medication to minimize your drug cravings and ease other common withdrawal symptoms.
- Therapy: While you’re in detox, you may be able to participate in individual or group therapy sessions. In addition to helping you learn to manage your withdrawal symptoms, therapy during detox can give you a head start on developing the skills that will support your continued recovery.
- Success: Failing to get through withdrawal on your own can be extremely frustrating, and will likely delay future efforts to finally stop using heroin. Successfully completing withdrawal in a detox program can boost your self-confidence and demonstrate that you are capable of much more than you may have previously realized.
As you approach the end of your time in detox, our team at the Retreat of Atlanta can help you determine which type of follow-on care will best prepare you to build a healthier, drug-free future.
What Happens After Heroin Withdrawal?
Getting through heroin withdrawal can be a landmark achievement, but detox alone can’t prepare you to overcome the challenges you will encounter as you work to maintain your recovery.
For many people, transitioning directly from detox to a residential rehab program is the best choice. Living at the center where you’re receiving care protects you from the stresses and temptations of daily life at home, while the additional guidance you receive from your treatment team can help you build vital relapse-prevention skills.
During residential treatment you can:
- Gain valuable information about the disease of addiction and the recovery process
- Develop strategies for avoiding triggers, which are circumstances that could threaten to undermine your recovery
- Learn how to respond to unavoidable triggers without resorting to heroin abuse
- Get help for anxiety, depression, or other co-occurring mental health concerns
- Replace maladaptive thought and behavior patterns with healthier ways of thinking and acting
- Improve your stress management and conflict resolution skills
- Build an effective personal support network
- Connect with community-based resources that can support your recovery efforts after you have completed treatment
Learn More About Heroin Detox in Atlanta
The Retreat of Atlanta is a trusted source of personalized detox and residential care for adults in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
When you choose our center, you can expect to receive evidence-based services from a team of highly skilled professionals. We understand the difficulties of detox and the challenges of early recovery, and we’re here to provide the customized guidance that will prepare you for a much healthier and more hopeful future.
When you’re ready to end your heroin use for good, The Retreat of Atlanta is here for you. To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.