Heroin has been around since the 19th century, and its precursors, such as opium, date back even further in history. Users often describe heroin’s effects as feelings of intense euphoria or a trance-like state. Detoxing from Heroin in Nashville TN is a crucial first step toward recovery. Extensive research on heroin addiction and treatment has provided the foundation for the medical detox process. In this article, we’ll cover key issues related to heroin addiction and explain how recovery starts by removing heroin from the body and managing withdrawal symptoms.
Why Is Heroin So Addictive?
Heroin is derived from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy plant. The process of creating heroin intensifies the effects of opium, making the drug act faster and more powerfully on the brain. These factors contribute to heroin’s highly addictive nature.
With prolonged use, people develop a tolerance, meaning they need more heroin to experience the same high they felt initially. This increased use leads to a higher risk of overdose. Even without an overdose, long-term heroin use results in several health problems, which we’ll explore in the “Health Problems of Continued Heroin Use” section.
What Happens During Heroin Detox?
Detoxing from Heroin in Nashville TN involves removing the drug from your body and managing the withdrawal process. You can begin by calling our facility, where a confidential discussion with our staff will initiate the intake process. This includes reviewing your insurance coverage and scheduling a medical exam. The exam helps identify any health concerns that may arise during detox. Our team will also ask about your health history, including the frequency and amount of heroin use, and any other substances you may be using.
Detox takes place in our facility, where you’ll stay 24/7 under medical supervision. You should bring clothes and toiletries for your stay. Medications are often prescribed to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pharmacological treatment can increase retention in treatment programs and reduce drug use, infectious disease transmission, and criminal activity. Common medications include:
- Lofexidine: Eases withdrawal symptoms such as muscle cramps, heart pounding, and insomnia.
- Buprenorphine: Reduces dependence on heroin and curbs cravings.
- Methadone: Alleviates withdrawal discomfort.
The goal of Detoxing from Heroin in Nashville TN is to help you get through the most challenging stages of withdrawal. After completing detox, you may receive medications like naltrexone, which blocks heroin’s effects and reduces the satisfaction of relapse. Post-detox support, such as counseling or group meetings like Narcotics Anonymous, is vital for continued recovery.
Health Problems of Continued Heroin Use
There are many compelling reasons to stop using heroin, but the health risks are some of the most urgent. Using needles to inject heroin increases the chance of bacterial infections. Contaminated needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to heart infections like endocarditis, which damages heart valves. Sharing needles can also spread serious diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
The potency of illegal heroin varies significantly. When users unknowingly take a stronger dose than usual, they risk overdose. Additionally, heroin is often cut with other harmful substances, which can damage blood vessels and cause other health complications.
