How to Cope With Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms & When to Seek Help

When you or a loved one want to break free from an addiction to heroin, the process should be as painless as possible to ensure a successful and long-lasting recovery. If you stop using heroin, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as muscle aches, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unfortunately, the quickest way to ease those symptoms is to take another dose of heroin, leaving you in an endless cycle of recovery and relapse.

Although some people quit heroin cold turkey and can get through the withdrawal side effects alone while remaining drug-free, it is rare and never recommended. If you or someone you know are trying to quit heroin, you should know there are safe, effective treatment options to help cope with withdrawal symptoms.

The Science Behind Heroin and Opioid Addiction and Withdrawal

Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, oxycontin, codeine, and fentanyl, are potent painkillers used to relieve chronic and acute pain. These agonist drugs bind to receptors in your brain, known as opioid receptors, blocking the pain signals and, ultimately, stopping the pain sensation. They also trigger dopamine release, boosting feelings of pleasure and creating a high.

When someone taking opioids can no longer resist the urge to get back that feeling of euphoria after the drug wears off, they may develop a substance use disorder or addiction. Someone with an opioid addiction will begin to misuse their prescriptions and continuously take more of the drugs. The body eventually develops a tolerance or a physical dependence on the medicine, which means the person needs to take an even higher dose to maintain the same pleasurable effects. Sooner or later, they will develop an opioid use disorder (OUD) that may turn into illegal opioid use.

Heroin is an illegal opioid (also known as an opiate) made from morphine, another prescription opioid. It is most often injected into a vein, quickly entering the brain and producing an immediate rush. The effects can last up to five hours, but to avoid symptoms of opioid withdrawal, a regular user must take another dose every six to twelve hours.

The cravings and extreme discomfort of opiate withdrawal keep people addicted to heroin long after the pleasure of taking the drug is gone.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

Heroin is a dangerous drug, but abruptly stopping use of it can lead to serious medical complications. Variables such as dosage, length of addiction, and underlying health conditions determine the severity and type of withdrawal symptoms a person with OUD may experience.

Physical withdrawal symptoms can start as soon as six hours after the last use and continue for weeks. Behavioral symptoms, such as cravings, insomnia, depression, and anxiety, can linger for months.

Symptoms of heroin withdrawal include:

• Appetite changes and decreases

• Anxiety

• Chills

• Cravings

• Diarrhea

• Excessive sweating

• Fever

• Insomnia

• Muscle and joint pain

• Runny nose

• Watery eyes

• Vomiting

The Stages of Heroin Withdrawal

The process of detoxing from heroin is an uncomfortable experience with many physical symptoms and should be done in a regulated, medically-supervised addiction treatment facility. Here’s what to expect during the stages of heroin withdrawal:

• Early Stage (6-12 hours after the last use): During this initial stage, heroin addicts often feel anxiety and agitation and experience muscle aches, sweating, and a runny nose.
• Peak Stage (24-72 hours after last use): This severe withdrawal stage may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, abdominal cramps, and intense drug cravings. This is often the toughest stage, so it’s important to be prepared. Remember also, it is short-term.
• Late Stage (3-5 days after last use): During this final stage of withdrawal, addicts may start to find relief of symptoms, but can still feel fatigued, irritable, and even depressed.
• Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS): In the weeks and months following the last dose, individuals may experience ongoing emotional and psychological symptoms including anxiety, depression, and mood swings.

Due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, it’s extremely important to seek professional help when it comes to heroin addiction treatment. Having healthcare professionals around will help ease symptoms (oftentimes with medication), will be precautionary in the case of any complications that happen during the withdrawal period, and they will provide counseling and emotional support throughout the difficult mental health process. Plus, professional treatment programs have a higher rate of longer-term recovery with less likelihood of relapse.

Coping Strategies for Heroin Withdrawal

Heroin is one of the most addictive substances out there and can be the hardest to quit. If your loved one is going through this process, it’s important to give them a support network as well as coping strategies as they navigate detoxing and the withdrawal stages to promote better well-being.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

The process of withdrawal is very uncomfortable. Help your loved one get through it by having mindfulness and relaxation techniques on-hand. Gentle exercises such as going for a walk or gentle yoga can help them tune in with their breath, release stress, and get through difficult moments. Journaling can be a cathartic way to release the emotions that arise as they are letting go of the substance, and practicing other mindfulness and wellness techniques (such as meditation) will help manage cravings and anxiety levels. Resting, taking naps, practicing yoga nidra (yogic sleep) and having plenty of down time will help the body and mind recover.

Distraction Methods

When going through very tough moments, distraction can be a powerful tool when coping with the discomfort of cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can do this through visual stimulation, such as watching an engaging TV show or movie, through audio distractions such as calming music, podcasts or audiobooks, or with tactile activities, such as stress balls, fidget toys, taking up art, crafts, or puzzle, or engaging with a grounding activity to help your loved one stay calm and preoccupied.

Support Networks

Having two kinds of support networks throughout the detox process will navigate you toward your best recovery. The first is having loving family members and friends as a foundational support group, and the second is having a support group of others going through withdrawal themselves. It’s important to have the foundational support from your loved ones, as well as those who also understand exactly what you or your loved one is going through. Group therapy is also a great idea during this time. Most treatment programs offer support groups that can help you feel less alone during this process.

Opioid Detoxification and Recovery Services

Managing intense heroin withdrawal symptoms requires a multi-disciplinary approach that addresses the physical and mental toll a heroin addiction takes on a body. A licensed treatment program with inpatient or outpatient detox and drug use therapy services will help prevent a relapse.

The right treatment program will offer medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and follow-up care. Medication-assisted treatment allows doctors to administer buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder, to manage withdrawal symptoms, blood pressure, heart rate, and mood swings.

To ensure someone with an OUD is fully supported, one-on-one therapy, family therapy, and support groups are other vital addiction recovery services necessary during the detox and withdrawal process.

Discourage friends or loved ones from using Imodium, acetaminophen, or other over-the-counter medications for at-home withdrawal symptom management. It is not recommended by medical professionals as other complications can occur. Staying hydrated and going for a walk or doing something to distract them from the discomfort of symptoms are natural, safe ways that could ease minor withdrawal discomfort.

Seek Help for Heroin Addiction

Seek help early. Heroin addiction is a dangerous, complex disease; no one should suffer alone. Caron offers a full range of addiction treatment services for individuals and their families, and we’ve helped thousands of people successfully and safely stop using heroin.

To learn more about Caron’s programs and how we can help, contact us today or call us at 1-866-559-1074.