How long does heroin detox take? The heroin detox process is unique for each person and depends on several factors, such as the length of the substance abuse and the amounts taken. More severe cases will experience a longer detox period and may require a lifetime of medication to manage their overall health. If you or a loved one is abusing heroin or other lethal substances, a heroin detox program can stop the abuse before it is too late.
Gulf Breeze Recovery is a full-service treatment facility that welcomes men and women who are struggling with substance use disorders and are ready to accept help with their recovery. Our therapists stay current with the latest behavioral and medicinal therapies to treat substance abuse so our clients can recover safely and with fewer risks of relapse. Clients will participate in group and private therapy sessions where they will develop the skills and confidence to reach their sober goals and maintain long-lasting recovery. Reach out to our heroin detox center in FL today through our online message form or call 833.551.2304 to take that first step toward a healthy life.
When Is Heroin Detox Necessary?
Heroin is a fast-acting synthetic opioid made from morphine. It’s extremely potent in small doses and causes intense euphoria for a short period of time. It can be very easy for someone to develop a substance use disorder if they use heroin repeatedly without giving their body time to fully recover from its effects. This process can take several days, and during that time, withdrawal symptoms and cravings will intensify until they relapse or enroll in a heroin detox center.
A heroin detox program will use a number of therapies and treatments to ease withdrawal symptoms and help clients to maintain their sobriety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the best therapies for treating substance use disorders and the underlying conditions that are fueling the abuse. To reduce physical withdrawal symptoms, the client will be given FDA-approved medications that have a high rate of success. Buprenorphine is one of the top medications used to treat opioid withdrawals, as are clonidine and methadone.
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, our drug and alcohol detox programs help clients reach their recovery goals. We will discuss the heroin detox timeline with you at the start of the program so you will know what to expect from your recovery experience.
How Long Does Heroin Detox Take?
The heroin detox process is not the same for every person. There are many factors that dictate the amount of time it takes to fully detox, including a person’s physical and mental health, a family history of substance abuse, and other factors. Here is a standard heroin detox timeline to give you an idea of how long the process may take:
- 12–72 hours – Heroin withdrawals will begin to appear 10–12 hours from the last dose and will continue to increase in severity over the next three days. At first, it may feel like you have a bad cold or the flu, but symptoms will worsen the longer you abstain from heroin. Symptoms can include:
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- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- High body temperatures
Withdrawal symptoms will peak on day three and will linger for several weeks. This is when relapse rates are at their highest.
- Days 4–13 – On day four, physical withdrawal symptoms will begin to diminish over several weeks. The psychological effects of detoxing and substance abuse can worsen during this period, which makes talking with a therapist imperative to continue on their recovery goals. The psychological effects of detox include:
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- Intense cravings for more heroin
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Insomnia
- 2–4 weeks – By this stage, any remaining amount of heroin should be cleansed from your body, and normal dopamine production and other functions start to return to normal. Symptoms of anxiety or depression may linger for several weeks to months, depending on the person and the cause of the substance abuse.
As withdrawal symptoms begin to fade, the amount of medication you need will decrease as well. Medical staff will slowly reduce the amount of medication until it is safe to stop. By the end of a treatment program, most clients will be 100% drug-free.
Join Gulf Breeze Recovery’s Heroin Detox Center in Florida
How long does heroin detox take? At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we know that each person’s recovery process is unique to them and their personal life experiences. While the physical detox process may take 2–4 weeks, therapy typically lasts for several months or years for clients to feel completely comfortable maintaining their sobriety. For more information about our heroin detox program and how it can benefit your recovery, call 833.551.2304 today to speak with our knowledgeable team.
